MFK is an umbrella term to describe a standard, code libraries and tools used by various platforms to know the location and shape of machines on a Sitelink3D site. MFK allows complex machine representation for rendering on a web client, deciding implement positions for as-built surface simulations, determining points of interest in machine simulation and more. Being data driven, new machines that don't yet exist can be rendered and visually identifiable on web and client applications when they arrive on site.
Topcon uses a declarative scheme for stating the position and shape of a machine in local site coordinates. This scheme is called Machine Forward Kinematics and abbreviated as MFK. Using a data driven scheme allows the introduction of new machine types without requiring modification to any service or application making use of the machine position and shape information. MFK uses JSON encoding to describe the rigid body structure of a machine. Information available when using MFK includes the following.