Stringless paving train method and apparatus

A method for controlling two or more machines in a paving train, comprising:

• receiving, with a computer processor, location, position, orientation and status information associated with a first machine in a paving train;
• receiving, with the computer processor, location, position, orientation and status information associated with a second machine in a paving train;
• and
• receiving, with the computer processor, a design profile;
• orienting, with the computer processor, the design profile with respect to the location and position information associated with the first paving machine and the second paving machine,
• sending, with the computer processor, a first signal to the first machine, the first signal configured to position and orient the first machine to perform a paving operation consistent with the design profile;
• sending, with the computer processor, a second signal to the second machine, the second signal configured to position and orient the second machine to perform a paving operation consistent with the design profile and the first machine;
• determining, with the computer processor, a minimum cure time associated with an operation performed by the first machine;
• and
• determining, with the computer processor, a speed associated with the second machine corresponding to a speed of the second machine along a path corresponding to the design profile,
• wherein the second signal is configured to instruct the second machine to maintain a gap from the first machine sufficient to accommodate the minimum cure time based on the speed associated with the second machine.