“Now more than ever the use of Immersive Technologies, Advanced Equipment Simulators to train mining equipment operators is recognised as a global best practice.” These simulators are used at hundreds of sites around the world to train novice operators, improve experienced operators, drive continuous improvement projects and ultimately deliver real results in safety, productivity and unscheduled maintenance. With the announcement of the new IM360 Advanced Equipment Simulator, Immersive Technologies has expanded the scope of simulation based training to now go beyond equipment operator training, while dramatically increasing the level of training flexibility available.
“Product development over our 20 year history has focused on making mine sites safer and their employers more profitable through our simulator based training and together with our integration and support expertise the IM360 will continue to deliver on our mission,” says Wayde Salfinger, Executive Director-Marketing, Immersive Technologies.
The IM360 features the flexibility to provide simulation based training for all machines from Immersive Technologies’ largest range of mining equipment simulator modules including surface, underground hard rock and underground coal equipment. Through the patented RealMove™ technology, the IM360 allows trainees to freely walk around their mine site and practice responding to emergency evacuations and identify risks in a 360° realistic environment. Personnel can now be prepared and assessed to a standard far beyond traditional methods.
“We have an extensive catalogue of case studies proving the effectiveness of Immersive Technologies simulators in mines and training centres. We see actual in-pit results from customer simulator training programs averaging 10.4% increases in tyre life, 6.85% reduction in fuel use and 62.2% reduction in brake abuse among many others. These case studies are validated by third party measures and equate to significant savings for our customers,” says Bryant Mullaney, Professional Services Manager, Immersive Technologies.
The removable motion base for seated equipment operator training allows trainees to feel the movement they would experience in the real machine, including rapid jolts, feelings of acceleration or the vibration in the seat as they traverse over steep and rocky roads or along uneven surfaces.
The visual display system for seated equipment includes RealView technology, which dynamically adjusts the perspective of the trainee providing a true real-world view outside the cabin while increasing the level of depth perception.
The IM360 is available in classroom and transportable configurations, the classroom model has been designed to be installed in existing buildings or training rooms and allows for multiple simulators to be located close together. The self-contained transportable model is ideal when training space is not available indoors and additionally can be moved easily between sites.
This new line of simulators, with their 360° display, walk around features and flexibility to run surface and underground machines, complements Immersive Technologies’ current range of Advanced Equipment Simulators including the industry leading PRO3-B.
The PRO3-B in contrast to the IM360 is designed specifically for surface. Its 180° seamless curved screen features enhanced visibility for machines where the operator has a high seating position such as haul trucks, excavators, shovels, dozers, wheel loaders, draglines and graders.