Research and development at South African simulator equipment specialist ThoroughTec Simulation has always been an integral part of simulator development and, as a result, the company has developed a fourth-generation mining equipment simulator, which it unveiled last month.

The CYBERMINE⁴ Simulator range builds on the success of previous generations of CYBERMINE Simulators to provide instructors and student operators with a significantly superior training experience.

In developing its CYBERMINE⁴ Simulator platform, ThoroughTec set out to redefine its technology by drawing on its own experience, extensive client base, researchers, original-equipment manufacturers, training institutions and military technologies developed over the last two decades.

“Our aim in simulator development has always been to cost effectively provide our clients with the most relevant, realistic and reliable simulator technology in the mining industry. “Over the past few years, maturing training requirements, technological developments and our profound understanding of surface and underground mining simulation have driven our product improvement process unrelentingly. “CYBERMINE⁴ represents the next leap forward in our unerring pursuit of excellence – all of the best features, qualities and experience of over 20 years of simulation experience bundled into a single system,” says ThoroughTec business development manager Justin Collins.

The most noticeable addition to the CYBERMINE⁴ range is the option for a full 360° panoramic display screen, completely immersing the student operator in the simulated mining world. Students are able to use all four screens when operating the equipment, providing increased awareness of surroundings and greater overall accuracy in simulator training. Clients can choose to have the 360° panoramic display option on both surface and underground mining simulators. “Your awareness levels can save your life and the life of your co-workers,” Collins adds.

The CYBERMINE station and reporting software have also been upgraded for improved training and operator analysis. The instructor station now boasts two widescreen, high-definition displays enabling instructors to assist and guide the student in a full fly-around view, while still keeping an eye on student performance and vehicle diagnostics.

Provision is now made to hook up one or both of these instructor screens to external ‘audience viewing’ displays to facilitate classroom-based discussion and commentary of operator performance on the fly.

“We provide instructors with all the necessary tools to make informed decisions regarding operator competence, performance and respect for safety.

“The software automatically identifies operational violations, such as speeding, simultaneous brake and accelerator engagement and incorrect gear selection, for which the instructor can then take corrective action with the student and thus save the mine a fortune in unnecessary maintenance bills and prevent hazardous situations,” he adds.

CYBERMINE⁴ Simulators also retain the six- and three-degree-of-freedom motion platforms for surface and underground mining simulators respectively. These high-performance, low-maintenance motion platforms provide students with all the motion cues that one would expect when operating mining equipment.

“The feeling and response one gets from the mining equipment while mining is crucial to understanding what the vehicle is doing.
“By simply paying attention to the motion cues, students will be able to identify when they are pushing the vehicle too hard or digging too deep, heightening their awareness of machine limits and honing their senses for effective operation,” Collin explains.

Further, realising that many mines have both surface and underground mining operations in a common region, Thorough-Tec has developed a unique cross-platform adaptor kit which allows surface mining cabs, like haul trucks and shovels, to be used on a common simulator base unit. This means that clients need only one CYBERMINE⁴ Simulator base unit to operate surface and underground simulator cabs, significantly lowering total cost of ownership.