Features:
Precision
Engineered and designed to maintain its accuracy over time and temperature, the Piper projects a beam up to 200 meters (650 feet).
Versatility
Powered by a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, the Piper is the smallest, professional pipe laser ever made. When sitting level the Piper can self-level over its entire grade range, or can be placed inside the pipe for second day
setups. In the manhole, in the pipe, or over the top, the Piper can work for you.
Intelligence
The cross-axis compensation function maintains the grade accuracy regardless of the roll of the laser up to three degrees. The Alignmaster™ feature (Piper 200) seeks and locates the target automatically for easy second day setups.
Ruggedness
Waterproof, shock and temperature tested, the Piper is built “construction tough” with a metal housing and shock absorbing bumper around the front window.
Models There are two models of the Piper pipe laser described in this manual:
Piper 100 - Red beam pipe laser
Piper 200 - Red beam pipe laser with the Alignmaster™ feature.
Three Basic Requirements:
Refer to the information that follows when setting up and operating the Piper. (To set up for a specific application, see the “Standard Set-up
Procedures in this manual.) You must always define the following three variables
in any application.
Grade - The amount of rise or fall over the distance of the pipe to be laid.
Set the grade by entering the percent of grade into the Piper display.
Elevation - The distance from the invert of the pipe to the laser beam. This
distance is set by attaching the self-centering feet for the pipe size to be
laid (The 150 mm, six inch feet are standard. All other sizes are optional.)
or by adjusting the height of the piper on the Trivet Mount Assembly.
Line - The position of the laser beam relative to the centerline of the pipe
to be laid. Set the line by aligning the laser beam with the next manhole.
Entering Grade
To change grade, press an UP or DOWN arrow button to enter the grade
required.
The speed at which the grade changes will increase as the button in held.
Press both the UP and DOWN arrow buttons at the same time to reset
the grade to zero.
To make large changes of grade, first press and release the STAR button
when at the main operating screen. The plus / minus sign will appear as a
reverse image.
Press the LEFT or RIGHT arrow buttons to move the cursor (reverse
image) to the desired digit.
Press the UP or DOWN arrow buttons to change the plus / minus sign
or the value of the individual digit.
Press both the UP and DOWN arrow buttons at the same time to reset
the grade to zero.
Press STAR to exit when desired grade is displayed or wait ten seconds
and the screen will automatically return to the main operating screen.
Changing Line
To change the line position, press a LEFT or RIGHT arrow button to move the beam to the position required
The speed at which the line moves will increase as the button in held.
Press both the LEFT and RIGHT arrow buttons at the same time to reset a the line to the center position
Line and Grade Lock
To lock the grade position, press and hold the STAR button, then press an UP or DOWN arrow button to lock the grade at the current value.
To lock the line position, press and hold the STAR button, then press a LEFT or RIGHT arrow button to lock the line at the current position.
To unlock grade or line, repeat the same procedure.
Alignmaster (Piper 200 only)
Alignmaster is a function of the Piper 200 only. When the Alignmaster button is pressed, the Piper will begin a search routine to find locate and stop on the target. This function is normally used for second day setups to quickly find the beam in the previous day’s work.
Procedure for using Alignmaster:
Position the target assembly in the end of the last piece of pipe with the two reflective strips on the inside of the pipe, facing the laser. Roughly align the laser beam in the pipe to the target assembly Press the ALIGNMASTER button.
When pressed the laser will scan left and right until the target is found. While searching the main operating screen is replaced with a blinking target indicating that Alignmaster is working.
If the search routine is successful, the target will remain on the screen for
an additonal five seconds (not blinking).
The beam can now be fine positioned to the center of the target using the
LEFT or RIGHT arrow buttons on the laser or the remote control.
If the Alignmaster function cannot find the target, a question mark will
appear next to the target to indicate “target not found”. This screen will
appear for two minutes or until another button is pressed. The line position
will then return to its original position.
The Alignmaster routine can be interrupted at any time by pressing the
Alignmaster button a second time. The line position will return to its original
position.
If the ambient light conditions are too bright for the Alignmaster function to operate properly, the target will be shown with a question mark and a sun icon.
When the Alignmaster button is pressed the beam will appear to dim. This is normal. The beam is actually pulsing at a very rapid rate to better control the recognition of the target.
Alignmaster is designed to work at distances greater than 10 meters (30 feet). Demonstrations or usage at shorter distances may not find the target.
Setting up the Target Assembly
Slide the required Target Insert into the Target Assembly. Loosen the
locking knob and insert the target with the printed side of the target on the same side as the level vial.
Place the Target into the end of the pipe. The reflective strips should be
facing the laser, towards the inside of the pipe.
Adjust the Target in the pipe until the bubble is centered in the level vial.
Observe the Target. Adjust the pipe so that the laser beam is centered on the cross-hairs.
Setting up the Trivet Assembly and Mounting Bracket
Remove the four feet from the Piper, then attach the mounting plate by
re-installing the feet.
Attach the Piper with the mounting bracket to the Trivet Assembly and
secure by tightening the 5/8”-11 knob and stud assembly to the bracket.
Set the line. Place the Trivet Assembly so that the Piper is aligned with
the pipe to be laid. Turn the knobs on the trivet plate until the bubble is
centred in the Piper’s cross-axis level vial. Tighten the brass lock nuts to
lock the feet in place.
Set the grade. Enter the required grade in the Piper using the UP and
DOWN arrows or enter large grade changes by first pressing the STAR
button, then entering grade by individual digit. The Piper can self-level over its entire grade range. So it is not necessary to tip the laser to achieve grade.
Set the elevation. Loosen the handle on the mounting bracket. Slide the
bracket and laser up or down until the desired elevation is achieved. The
slide bracket is made of a special material to ensure smooth movement.
Tighten the handle to lock the elevation in place.
Typical Second Day Set-up
The following is a brief description of a second day set-up:
Set the Grade. Press the POWER button to turn the unit on. The Piper
remembers the last grade from the previous day. Check the display to
ensure that the grade has not been changed.
Set the Elevation. Plase the Piper where it was the previous day. Rotate
the Piper until the bubble in the cross-axis level vial is centered.
If the Piper is placed in the pipe, ensure that the proper feet are attached
and that the cross-axis bubble is centered.
Set the line. Follow the line of the pipe laid the previous day.
Place the target asembly in the last piece of pipe laid and adjsut it so that
the bubble is centered in its level vial.
Adjust the line of the laser beam using either the LEFT and RIGHT buttons
on the Piper or on the Remote. Press hte button until the laser beam is
centered on the target.
Piper 200 - Use the Alignmaster feature. Press the ALIGNMASTER button
on the Piper or on the Remote to scan and locate the target. Use the LEFT
and RIGHT buttons to fine adjust the beam to the center cross hair of the
target.
Standard Set-up Procedures:
Pre-Poured Inverts
The pre-poured invert must be set at the correct elevation and on the
correct line position.
Set the grade. Enter the required grade for the pipe to be laid in the
display of the Piper.
Set the elevation. Set the elevation by attaching the required size
feet to the Piper. The Piper comes standard with 150 mm (6 inch)
feet, and offers optional feet for 200, 225, 250 and 300 mm (8, 9,
10, and 12 inch) pipe.
Set the line. Place the Piper in the invert and adjust the beam so it is
in-line with the next manhole.
Open Trench (Transit)
In the open trench a transit is used to align the laser beam to the next
manhole.
Set the grade. Enter the required grade for the pipe to be laid in the display of the Piper.
Set the Piper on the centreline of the pipe to be laid. Locate the line for the laser beam.
1. Locate Point A. Place the transit so that it is behind the Piper and in line
with the centerline of the pipe to be laid.
2. Locate Point B. Look through the transit and lock it on-line with the next manhole point.
3. Locate Point C. Tilt the transit down to see the Piper. Move the Piper until the pivot point on the top of the Piper is in line with the centerline of the pipe to be laid.
Set the elevation. Move the Piper up or down on the (optional) trivet
until the required height is set. (Choose the most convenient method for
determining the cut-to-invert distance.)
Set the line. Locate Point D. Using the Transit, place a new stake approximately five meters (15 feet) in front of the Piper. Look throught the transit and move the beam using the LEFT and RIGHT buttons on the
Remote until the beam hits the stake and intersects the transit’s crosshairs.
In the Pipe or On Top of the Pipe
Place the Piper on top of the pipe when the beam cannot pass through
the pipe, such as when it is filled with water.
Set the grade. Enter the required grade for the pipe to be laid in the
display of the Piper.
Set the elevation. If the Piper is going to be placed inside the pipe,
set the elevation by attaching the required size feet to the Piper. The
Piper comes standard with 150 mm (6 inch) feet, and offers optional feet for 200, 225, 250 and 300 mm (8, 9, 10, and 12 inch) pipe.
Set the line. Place the piper in or on the pipe and adjust the beam so that
it is in line with the next manhole.
Open Trench (Stringline)
This procedure is best for shorter runs of pipe, typically those les that
90 meters (300 feet).
Set the grade. Enter the required grade for the pipe to be laid in the
display of the Piper.
Set the elevation. Move the Piper up or down on the (optional) trivet
until the required height is set. (Choose the most convenient
method for determining the cutto- invert distance.)
Set the line. Locate the line for the laser beam.
a) Locate Point A. Place a range rod at the center of the next manhole point. (The rod must be plumb.)
b) Locate Point B. Attach a stringline to the slot in the top f the Piper’s front bumper. Move the Pipe until it is in line with the centerline of the pipe to be laid.
c) Locate Point C. Stand behind the Piper, close one eye, and hold up the
stringline. Align the stringline with the range rod. Look down and align a
new stake approximately 5 meters (15 feet) in front of the Piper. Use the
LEFT and RIGHT arrow buttons on the Remote to move the beam until it
hits the stake and intersects the stringline.
Manhole
Set the grade. Enter the required grade for the pipe to be laid in the
display of the Piper.
Set the elevation. Place the Piper in the manhole. Move the Piper up
or down on the (optional) trivet until the required height is set.
(Choose the most convenient method for determining the cutto-
invert distance.)
a)
Locate Point A. Place a transit over the center of the manhole.
b) Locate Point B. Look through the transit and lock it on-line with the next manhole point.
c) Locate Point C. Hang a plumb bob from the transit. Move the Piper until
the tip of the plumb bob is directly over the pivot point on the top of the
Piper.
d) Locate Point D. Tilt the transit down and use it to align a new stake
approximately five meters (15 feet) in front of the Piper. Look throught
the transit and move the beam using the LEFT and RIGHT buttons on the
Remote until the beam hits the stake and intersects the transit’s crosshairs.
Drop Manhole
The trivet pole or the complete trivet assembly is designed to attach
directly to a drop manhole t-bar assembly using a 5/8”-11 mount.
Set the grade. Enter the required grade for the pipe to be laid in the
display of the Piper.
Set the elevation. Lower the preassembled Drop Manhole
Assembly and Piper into the manhole until the T-bar is approximately
150 to 300 mm (6 to 12 inches) above or below the pipe.
Ensure that the T-bar is level and perpendicular to the pipe. Tighten the
wing nut on the T-bar to secure it in the manhole. Move the Piper up or
down on the adjustable pole until the beam is approximately at the
required elevation.
Set the line. Adjust the beam so that it is in line with the next manhole.
Over the Top
The Over-the-Top Mount Assembly consists of a Scope and a mounting
bracket for attaching the Piper to a tripod.
Remove the four feet from the Piper, then attach the mounting
plate (a) by re-installing the feet.
Attach the Scope and mount (b) to the top of the Piper using the two
screws and allen driver supplied with the scope.
Attach the Piper to the tripod and tighten securely.
Set the crosshairs of the scope on a target and then adjust the beam
to the target using the LEFT and RIGHT arrow buttons on the Piper
or Remote.
Refraction
Refraction happens when layers of air with varying degrees of temperature
and humidity deflect light as it passes through it.
Layers of air in a sewer pipe can refract a laser beam, causing it to bend
downward or produce a “dancing” effect as the beam passes through to
the target.
Refraction is especially noticeable during hot or humid weather, but may
also occur in extremely cold conditions when warm air from a newly
opened trench mixes with the colder air.
In these conditions, Leica Geosystems strongly recommends the use of a
blower assembly to reduce or eliminate the effects of refraction. A
blower mixes the different layers of air temperature and density inside a
sewer pipe, thereby creating a uniform medium for the laser beam to pass
through.
Allow the blower to operate for at least 10 minutes before aligning the
next pipe.
Connect the blower to a power source, normally a 12-volt battery.
Position the blower. Make sure that the air intake for the blower is not
blocked. If possible, position the blower so the temperature of the air it
draws in is approximately the same as the air inside the pipe.
Determine whether to attach the nozzle to the end of the blower. If the
pipe is less than or equal to 250 mm (10 inch), use the nozzle. If the pipe
is greater than 250 mm (10 inch), you do not need to use the nozzle.
Use clamps to attach the blower hose at the beginning of the pipe where
the laser is located. Position the end of the hose at a 60° angle to force
the air to swirl as it travels through the pipe.
Apply power to the blower and let it operate.
Accuracy Adjustment
It is the responsibility of the user to follow operating instructions, and
to periodically check the accuracy of the instrument and work as it
progresses.
The Piper is adjusted to the defined accuracy specification at the
factory. It is recommended to check your laser ofr accuracy upon
receipt and periodically thereafter to ensure accuracy is maintained. If
your laser requires adjustment, contact your nearest authorized service
center or adjust the laser using the following procedure.
Do not enter this mode or attempt adjustment unless you plan to
change the accuracy. Accuracy adjustment should only be performed by
a qualified individual that understands basic adjustment principles.
This procedure is easier when performed with two people, on a relatively
flat surface and when using a trivet assembly. Refer to illustration
on the previous page.
Checking Level Accuracy
Set up the Piper on the trivet assembly, level tihe Piper with the trivet feet,
and set the grade counter to 0.000%,
Set up a transit or automatic level as shown in the illustration approximately
30 meters (100 feet) from the Piper.
Take grade readings approximately 30 meters (100 feet) on either side of
the transit. These readings beome A1 and A2.
Stand at the grade rod and note where the laser beam strikes the rod.
Takes readings B1 and B2.
Subtract B1 from A1 to determine C1, and B2 from A2 to determine C2.
If C1 and C2 are the same, the Piper is accurately adjusted.
If C1 and C2 are not the same, continue with the accuracy adjustment
procedure.
Access to the Adjustment Screen
If power is ON, turn it OFF.
Press and hold the DOWN and RIGHT arrow buttons, then press the POWER button to turn the unit on and enter the adjustment mode / screen.
The adjustment screen will appear as illustrated here.
Adjusting Level Accuracy
When the accuracy of the Piper has been checked, and the amount of error is known, the beam position is adjusted using the UP and DOWN arrow buttons to increment the counter and move the beam to the desired position.
Each count represents approximately two arc seconds. Therefore, five
counts of the counter is approximately equal to 1.6 mm at 30 meters (1/16 inch at 100 feet).
The Piper icon will blink to indicate that the unit has not reached the level
position.
The LEFT or RIGHT arrow buttons may be used to move the line during
this procedure.
Exiting the Adjustment Screen
Press the STAR Button to accept, save, store the adjustment activity, and return to the main operating screen.
Pressing the POWER button at any time before completing the procedure
will turn off the unit, and will revert to previous adjustment information.
Checking Line and Grade
Line and Grade should be checked after the first 7.5 to 15 meters (25 to 50 feet) of pipe is laid to ensure the pipe is at the proper grade and line.
Checking Line and Grade
Set up a transit or automatic level as shown in the illustration.
Take grade readings at the ends of the pipe using a grade rod.
The grade readings must be taked from the same relative position in the
pipe. The illustration shows the readings being taken from the invert of
the pipe.
Determine the actual grade of the pipe
Subtract distance “B” from distance “A” to determine the “rise” of the
pipe.
Measure the horizontal distance “C” of the pipe.
Divide the rise distance (A-B) by the horizontal distance (C), and then
multiply this value by 100 to determine the percent of grade.
Compare the measured grade to the grade dialled in the Piper
Compare the measured grade to the grade shown in the display of the
Piper.
If they are equal, the pipe is at the proper grade.
If they are not equal, repeat the procedure to ensure that a mistake was
not made. If they are still not equal, check the accuracy of the Piper and
the instrument being used.
Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Causes and Solutions
Roll Icon: The Roll Icon indicates that the Piper is in a position where its cross-axis level vial is not level. Reposition the Piper in the direction of the arrow until the vial is centered.
Servo Limit: The Servo Limit Icon indicates that the Piper is in a position where it cannot achieve the entered grade. Reposition the Piper in the direction of the arrow until the unit can once again level itself.
Temperature Limit: The Temperature Limit Icon indicates that the Piper is in an environment where it cannot operate without causing damage to the laser. This could most often be the result of direct sunlight. Shade the unit.
Empty
Battery: The Empty Battery Icon indicates that the Piper’s battery requires a recharge. Remove and replace or recharge the battery. The Piper uses an intelligent battery system that indicates the remaining battery charge. This is displayed at power up and at all other times on the main operating screen.
Sleeping Piper: The Sleeping Piper Icon indicates that the Piper has been placed in standby mode with the Remote. Press any button to reactivate the Piper.
Line and Grade will not change: The line and grade may have been locked. Press the STAR, then a line or grade button to unlock. See appropriate section of the manual. Line or grade may have reached its furthest limit. Line limits are indicated by the icon at the top of the display. Grade limits are from -10% to +25% of grade
Target Question: The Target and Question Mark Icon indicates that the
Alignmaster function (Piper 200) was not able to find the target.
The target is missing or not positioned properly. Ensure the reflective tapes are toward the Piper. Reposition and try again.
The laser beam may be blocked. Check for obstructions
and try again.
The target is too far from the Piper for Alignmaster to find the target. If possible, move the target closer to the Piper and try again.
The Piper may be positioned so that the target is outside the physical limits of the Alignmaster seek area. Reposition the Piper and try again.
Target, Question Mark, and Sun Icon: The Target, Question Mark and Sun Icon indicates that the Piper is in too bright of light conditions for the Alignmaster fucntion to find the target. Try shading to reduce the affects of the sun.
Beam is not hitting the center of the target:
This symptom may be caused by the following possible
causes:
The Piper of Target has not been set up properly or has been moved. Check and try again.
The pipe has not beed correctly adjusted to grade.
Check and try again.
The pipe or water in the pipe is reflecting the beam. If possible, drain the pipe and try again.
Conditions inside the pipe are refracting the beam.
See section on refraction for remedy.
The Piper is out of adjustment. Perform accuracy check.
The Remote Control is not functioning:
This symptom may be caused by the following possible
causes:
Line movement may be locked.
The remote is too far from the Piper to activate the function desired. Move closer and try again.
The Remote’s battery may be low. Replace the battery and try again.
Permitted Use:
The instrument projects a collimated beam of laser light for the purposes
of alignment of gravity flow pipelines.
The unit can be set up on it’s own feet, on a tripod or a trivet (both with
optional adapter plate).
The laser beam can be detected by viewing it on an opaque red target.
The unit can only be powered by rechargeable Li-Ion battery.
The instrument can be used with an IR remote control
