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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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RGU brings world-first decom simulator to SPE Offshore Europe

  Visitors to this week's SPE Offshore Europe can try out a suite of simulators, including the DRILLSIM:5000 Decom Simulator. The DRILLSIM:5000, and the associated software which it runs, is a world-first. It supports decommissioning activities in the UK from its home at Robert Green University in Aberdeen, Scotland. A collaboration between RGU, OGTC, KCA Deutag and Drilling Systems, the simulator focuses on well-plugging and abandonment (P&A). Delegates to the Scottish show will be able to test their skills on the simulator, which is currently supporting oil and gas operators and service companies with the planning and preparation for well P&A, in a similar way pilots get trained and tested on flight simulators. RGU’s Drilling Simulation Manager Phil Hassard will man the kit at SPE. He said it was a unique opportunity to experience an "extremely sophisticated piece of kit.". “Since we launched the simulator at the end of 2017, we have been able to support the industry by enhancing the safety, improving the efficiency and reducing the cost associated with decommissioning oil and gas wells.” As well as the DRILLSIM:5000, there will be the opportunity to try out two other simulators. On-The-Rig (OTR) is a portable simulator which brings [...]

By | 2019-09-04T13:47:23+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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BHP miners trial virtual reality trainer

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance is trialing the use of virtual reality headsets to prepare miners for life underground at its Broadmeadow Mine in Queensland, Australia. The technology allows miners to enter a safe, simulated Broadmeadow Mine and test their responses to hazards. "Virtual reality will revolutionize the way underground miners are taught about safety," said Nathan Parsons, Manager for Special Projects at Broadmeadow Mine. "Up until now, the only way you could truly understand what you're being taught is to actually experience it. Now, we can recreate real scenarios and put people in an immersive environment where they can learn hands on." Parsons helped develop the program over the last 18 months. It allows users the option to be a shearer or  chock operator.  Virtual reality David Thorpe, a longwall operator for more than 10 years, said the technology would benefit even the most experienced operators. "This simulation is the best I've seen with everything looking exactly as it does underground” said Thorpe, who aided development. The only difference were the colours, he added. Adding to the experience, the virtual reality technology allows users to move into hazardous zones you normally couldn't access. This makes for a more holistic training experience [...]

By | 2019-08-29T14:53:47+00:00 August 29th, 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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RENK AG invests in Modest Tree

RENK AG (RENK), a manufacturer of drivetrain technologies, has announced a strategic investment in Modest Tree Media Inc. (Modest Tree), which developes extended reality (XR) applications and software to create immersive training solutions without coding. Modest Tree is well-known for delivering advanced applications for industrial workplace training and marketing to global enterprise clients. Recognized as a technology leader in the North American market, Modest Tree is currently in the process of expanding into the European virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) training markets. The aim of this strategic relationship is to strengthen the already existing cooperation between the two companies in order to accelerate the development of existing and future enterprise VR and AR solutions. “By acquiring a minority stake in Modest Tree, RENK will be at the forefront of shaping digital communication solutions. Together with Modest Tree, we will deliver state-of-the-art training and support services, while exploring other new possibilities to meet our customers’ future demands,” said Florian Hofbauer, RENK CEO. Modest Tree Founder and CEO Saman Sannandeji: “Supported by a strong partner who has a clear understanding of the value and potential for immersive technologies in the industrial workplace, our close cooperation with RENK will fuel our [...]

By | 2019-08-26T16:16:48+00:00 August 26th, 2019|
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Students to Graduate from First HVAC Boot Camp

Bevill State Community College (BSCC) announced the graduation of students from the first HVAC Boot Camp held at the Bevill State/Alabama Power HVAC Training Center. The graduation will be on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at noon. The ceremony will take place at the HVAC Training Facility located at 3711 Industrial Court, Jasper, Alabama. The HVAC-R Summer Boot Camp is an accelerated non-credit training program that teaches technical knowledge and skills to repair, install, service, and maintain the operating condition of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Instruction and hands-on training include diagnostic techniques, use of testing equipment, and principles of mechanics, electricity, and electronics as related to repair. The HVAC-R Workforce Foundation reports that by 2021, there will be a shortage of more than 170,000 technicians. In response to this national industry need, and in partnership with Alabama Power, the Bevill State Workforce Solutions Division developed a 295-hour, short-term, non-credit class to train and place participants in HVAC-R technician jobs within a few months. Participants are taught in a state-of-the-art facility, by highly qualified Alabama Power instructors. Graduates earn a Bevill State certification, EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Handling Certification, and qualify to take the State of Alabama HVAC-R Contractors Exam. [...]

By | 2019-08-23T14:47:14+00:00 August 23rd, 2019|
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