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So far Amanda Towner has created 185 blog entries.

CM Labs Hosting Webinar on Work Site Safety

CM Labs is hosting a webinar on Oct 10, 2019, at 10 a.m. EST to show how simulation-based tools are helping to reduce the safety risks associated with operator training, while at the same time lowering training costs by up to 75 percent. Drew Carruthers, director, Training Solutions, CM Labs Simulations, will be the presenter. Topics of the webinar include simulation technology, work site safety and operational productivity. Attendees will learn how to improve training safety and efficiency, use simulation to monitor and measure operator skill sets, estimate the benefits and ROI of simulation-based operational approaches, and how new Smart Training Technology can help develop skills that transfer directly to the work site.    

By | 2019-09-18T16:44:48+00:00 September 18th, 2019|
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Advanced Training Systems Expands With New Facility

With an increasing nationwide demand for its high-tech simulators and driver training methodology, Advanced Training Systems (ATS) recently expanded with the opening of an additional facility in Vista, California. The new facility will house an enhanced simulator research, development and simulator-based training facility. The company’s current headquarters is in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Virtual reality simulation is able to train and assess, objectively, driver performance, whereas traditional driver training has been limited in its ability to teach ‘real-life’ experience in certain driving conditions,” said ATS Vice President Rebecca Hudson. “We can rapidly accelerate the experience and competence, while opening the door to revolutionizing the industry.” ATS plans to have an open house at the new facility before the end of the year.    

By | 2019-09-17T19:42:32+00:00 September 17th, 2019|
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Varjo Accelerates Global Expansion with US Headquarters

Varjo announced the opening of its US headquarters in the Washington D.C. area. The company, which is celebrating three years of business this month, has seen unprecedented momentum to date in the industrial virtual reality space, having brought to market the human-eye resolution headset (Varjo VR-1); launched a reseller program for local, on-the-ground customer support of its VR-1 device; and announced several integrations with software partners in the design, training and simulation and research ecosystems. As the company continues to grow, the United States represents an increasingly important target market for Varjo. Beyond establishing its U.S. headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, located just outside of Washington D.C., Varjo also announced the continued expansion of its recently launched reseller program. Two additional U.S. resellers – GC Micro and FoxGuard Solutions – have joined the network and this expansion, coupled with the newly open U.S. office, ensures Varjo is better able to actively reach and support customers and partners across North America, while also maintaining ideal communication with the home office in Helsinki, Finland. “2019 has been an exciting year for us so far with the announcements of our first two products – the Varjo VR-1 and Varjo XR-1 Developer Edition – among [...]

By | 2019-09-12T13:26:57+00:00 September 12th, 2019|
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Varjo VR-1 Integrates with UNIGINE

Real-time 3D engine UNIGINE has announced support for the Varjo VR-1 in its 2.9 release. UNIGINE is a global company focused on real-time 3D technologies, delivering industrial solutions for simulation, visualization, scientific research, virtual reality systems and more. Current industry use cases for UNIGINE include safer training for transport; readiness of first responders; visualization of projects in fast, real-time 3D; and virtual exploration of inaccessible or hostile places. The integration of Varjo VR-1 with UNIGINE ensures professionals are now able to visualize their 3D models and simulations using visual fidelity VR. Varjo VR-1 is a human-eye resolution headset with integrated eye tracking. The visual quality in VR-1 means that every detail, texture, contour and color are just as crisp and clear as they are in the real world. Even the smallest texts and objects are distinguishable in the VR environment. The Varjo VR-1 is to be utilized for UNIGINE’s industrial use cases, including complex training simulations, architectural models, and 3D design. The Varjo plugin will be available in the August release of UNIGINE 2.9.    

By | 2019-09-12T13:14:08+00:00 September 12th, 2019|
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CM Labs Introduces New Crane Simulator Training

CM Labs’ new Mobile Crane Training Pack features new assessment tools and training exercises, including the industry’s only tandem lift exercise for mobile cranes. The tandem lift exercise teaches the lead crane operator how to safely and efficiently manoeuver a steel pipe load in tandem with a secondary crane, operated from another simulator connected in a multi-machine virtual environment. This type of team-based training can be difficult and expensive to reproduce in real life, but is safe and easy to set up with Vortex Simulators. Also included is an all-new mobile crane operator assessment exercise, featuring advanced lifting techniques and a scoring system that’s fully customisable to company’s needs.

By | 2019-09-10T16:15:44+00:00 September 10th, 2019|
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CM Labs Announces Major Updates to Vortex Studio

CM Labs Simulations announced Vortex Studio 2019b, a major version update to Vortex Studio. Adding features that strategically enhance the capabilities of Vortex Studio, this latest update makes it easier-than-ever for users to install, build, test, and deploy high-fidelity real-time simulation. CM Labs announced a new, expanded Deformable Terrain zone with features that go beyond digging and pushing soil. While still allowing the deformation of a given surface using digging tools (bucket or blade), vehicles' wheels can now directly impact the terrain, compressing and deforming it on each pass, creating ruts and graphical marks modeled on specific textures. “Ruts are a challenging, dynamic part of any off-highway scenario, whether that’s driving in a military convoy or hauling logs in a forestry setting,” remarked Daniel Holz, team lead, Vortex Engine (Physics & Graphics). “Adding compression caused by tires and tracks wasn’t a simple feat, but our highly skilled team worked diligently to add this additional layer of realism to our simulations.” With a majority of the simulations built in Vortex Studio being related to vehicles, making these mechanisms easier to customize has been a key focus for CM Labs. In Vortex Studio 2019b, users can now start wheeled vehicle designs from [...]

By | 2019-09-10T13:37:00+00:00 September 4th, 2019|
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Schneider Electric Strengthens College of Southern Nevada Partnership

Schneider Electric announced a $100,000 donation to the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Foundation, contributing to a $3-million challenge match issued by the Engelstad Family Foundation, to support the new CSN and Nevada State College Engelstad Health Sciences building on CSN's Henderson Campus. "Support for the CSN Foundation from corporate partners is vital to our ability to generate the world class technicians and professionals desperately needed by Southern Nevada employers,” said CSN President Dr. Federico Zaragoza. “The CSN foundation provides student scholarship and invests in performance excellence in the classroom, facilities, and capital improvements." This donation is part of Schneider Electric's ongoing partnership with CSN, which includes active internship recruitment from the college to foster the next generation of energy experts. As a business with a major footprint in Nevada, Schneider Electric is committed to supporting students in the region who will have a future impact on the energy management and automation industry. "We believe it is critical to invest in our future workforce now to ensure we have the right people, with the right skills, to drive the energy industry forward,” said Julie Quinones, operations manager, Schneider Electric.  

By | 2019-08-30T18:25:23+00:00 August 30th, 2019|
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KBC Announces Strategic Partnership with AVGI

KBC (A Yokogawa Company) is extending its engineering simulation capabilities through a strategic partnership with AVGI, a source of simulation and optimization software for modeling olefin technologies. The software solution will deliver capital efficient plant design and optimization through end-to-end modeling of integrated oil refining, aromatics, and steam cracking complexes. Petrochemical demand growth is rapidly becoming the largest driver of global oil consumption. The International Energy Agency forecasts that petrochemicals will account for more than a third of the growth in oil demand by 2030, and nearly half by 2050. Yet, most oil refineries only convert c. 5–20 percent of crude feedstocks into petrochemicals. This creates incentive to optimize and re-configure existing facilities, as well as invest in new capacity to meet the demand. Using reactor simulations for a broad range of feedstocks, furnace and coil geometries, and operating conditions will optimize yield and energy. Integration and data exchange between Petro-SIM and COILSIM1D will enable integrated refinery-petrochemical complexes to maximize their profitability. "Integration of COILSIM1D with Petro-SIM will open up a wide range of steady state, online and offline simulation opportunities," comments Andy Howell, CEO of KBC. "Integrated models supporting dynamic real-time optimization will further mitigate the risk in transitioning [...]

By | 2019-08-28T19:12:05+00:00 August 29th, 2019|
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CS Energy Wins Award for Promoting Culture of Safety

CS Energy (formerly Conti Solar) won the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Certificate, for achievement in the prevention of occupational injuries during calendar year 2018. Part of the 91st Annual Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Awards Program, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Certificate is awarded to “an establishment that has participated in the program for three consecutive calendar years.” Recipients must have previously received the Division of Public Safety & Occupational Safety & Health Certificate. DART and TRC* (illness and injury) rates from the preceding calendar year are used to determine a participant’s eligibility. OSHA record-keeping standards are the basis for reporting. The establishment must also affirm that it has a continuing, effective safety and health program in place and that a comprehensive safety and health survey of the workplace was completed within the past five years. “We are proud to accept this recognition from the governor’s office,” said Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “We have marked five years without a recordable injury to an employee, and this accomplishment is a direct result of our heavy investment in safety training programs, rigorously high standards, and a strong corporate culture of safety and accident prevention.” In solar, [...]

By | 2019-08-28T18:51:34+00:00 August 28th, 2019|
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BMA Trials Virtual Reality to Prepare Miners

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)'s Broadmeadow Mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin is changing the way it prepares its people for the underground mining experience, using virtual reality to teach operators about the hazards and risks before stepping foot underground. The technology immerses the operator in a simulated underground environment, where miners can be trained in real life scenarios and test their responses to hazards in a safe environment. Nathan Parsons, manager for Special Projects at Broadmeadow Mine, has led the program for the past 18 months, working with Coal Services and a number of experienced operators to develop the training package. "Virtual reality will revolutionise the way underground miners are taught about safety," Parsons said. "Up until now, the only way you could truly understand what you're being taught is to actually experience it, and now, we can recreate real scenarios and put people in an immersive environment where they can learn hands on." The technology places users in a variety of scenarios and environments that cannot be easily created in real life, and then trains them on what to do if they are ever confronted with these situations. To make the scenario as real as possible, the team replicated the [...]

By | 2019-08-28T18:52:39+00:00 August 28th, 2019|
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