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Underground drill operator training simulator launched

22nd March 2019

     

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Global engineering company Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology has introduced an operator training simulator to provide a compact and flexible solution to safely train operators and maintenance teams on its DD422i, DD422iE and DT922i drill rigs.

Moreover, the new Sandvik Operator Training Simulator has been designed specifically to improve both operator and drilling performance, delivering real benefits for underground drilling applications.

This latest development provides a low weight safe training tool that is highly portable, enabling it to be used where it is most needed – on site.

The fully mobile system weighs less than 50 kg, allowing for training to be undertaken anywhere. The simulator delivers ‘real life’ training in a simulated working environment, with drill rig operators and maintenance teams learning about rig capabilities before progressing to the actual equipment. The simulator acts like a real rig, operated with authentic controls and combined with the same control system software as that installed on the drills themselves.

The simulator comes with purpose- developed software that includes a range of specific exercises for recording and measuring operator behaviour. The trainer can initiate machine faults, incidents or hazards to train and assess operators, thereby ensuring they are able to respond correctly to any scenario with maximum efficiency.

Additionally, training sessions can be conducted for multiple participants in a safe environment, preventing risk of injury or material damage. Further, it facilitates regular operator retraining and the implementation of an operator assessment process without impacting on site productivity.

Owing to its compact size and its wheeled carrying case, the simulator can easily be carried by a single person to wherever it is needed. With a very short setup time, operator training can begin even before the rig has been delivered and commissioned. This provides increased levels of operational efficiency, with no learning curve required prior to using the rig on site.

The simulator has been designed to enable tailor-made training sessions to suit trainee experience levels, using a range of exercises and simulated conditions in a variety of applications and situations. A report evaluates and measures trainee performance, ensuring that the training is of direct benefit to operators.

Ensuring that operators can use the drill rig to its full potential safely and productively as quickly as possible is what the simulator is about, with the training simulator performing all boom and feed movements, as well as the entire drilling cycle. It is fully compatible with Sandvik iSURE software – Sandvik’s tunnel management tool for accurate drilling, charging and blasting plans.

Owing to the training course management tool, the trainer can customise training and use multiple pre-planned training scenarios. This ensures 100% peace of mind, with training routines and exercises repeated until the appropriate level of knowledge is reached.

The use of the simulator is estimated to produce a 5% increase in yearly productivity in rig availability alone. In addition, training costs are reduced by up to 35%, with training sessions being easily and safely conducted on site with multiple operators.

Key Features

The simulator weighs about 20 kg, and is supplied with a protection case, which also weighs about 25 kg. When weighed with its accessories the simulator weighs a total of 50 kg.

The simulator is supplied with an i7 Processor laptop, which includes computer technology company Nvidia GTX1050 graphics, 8 GB memory and a 250 GB hard disk drive. The simulator is delivered with a 100, 240 VAC, 200 W European (Schuko) power cables – with other cables available on request.

The simulator is available in English and Spanish, but can be configured to additional languages on request. For the setup of the simulator, Sandvik suggests an adjustable table for the console to be positioned at the best ergonomic height to allow for optimal setup, with the ideal distance to the screen being one meter for a 50-inch screen or two metres for a 65-inch screen.

Edited by Mia Breytenbach
Creamer Media Deputy Editor: Features

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