Training and Simulators

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF MINING – NOV/DEC 2010

South African manufacturer ThoroughTec Simulation has unveiled its fourth generation CYBERMINE⁴ simulator systems to the mining industry.

The CYBERMINE⁴ represents ThoroughTec’s first big push into the Australian market. Justin Collins, business development manager based in Perth said that up till now local sales had been slow following the establishment of their Perth office eighteen months ago. However, after deals with Mining Industry Skills Centre and Sandvik Group and with another major contract just finalised – the outlook is positive.

Collins said the CYBERMINE⁴ simulator range builds on a formidable pedigree. “On the underground mining side, we are far and away the largest supplier in the world, no one comes anywhere near us,” he said. In building this latest simulator platform, ThoroughTec developed new technology by drawing on its own experience, an extensive client base, training institutions and military technologies established over the last two decades. “We are all about the engineering and the engineering processes to ensure that our simulators are of the highest quality,” said Collins.

ThoroughTec also works closely with OEMs to maximise the fidelity of its simulators. CYBERMINE⁴ was not developed with a commercial arrangement with any manufacturers, however, “we have all the information we need to deliver simulators at highest quality and fidelity,” said Collins.

“Increased safety is a major benefit of improved training functions.”

The CYBERMINE instructor station and reporting software have been upgraded for improved training and operator analysis. “The feeling and response one gets while using mining equipment is crucial to understanding what is happening with the vehicle. As an example, simply by paying attention to the motion cues, a student 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,” said Collins. “We provide instructors with all the tools necessary to make informed decisions regarding operator competence, performance and respect for safety,” said Collins.

The instructor station now has two wide screen high-definition displays giving instructors the ability to assist and guide the student in a full fly-around view while still keeping an eye on student performance and vehicle diagnostics. Of course increased safety is a major benefit of improved training functions.

Realistic training scenarios are key feature of CYBERMINE⁴ and “clients can choose to have the 360° panoramic display option on both surface and underground mining simulators,” said Collins. “Your awareness levels can save your life and the life of your co-worker.” Collins said value for money was another crucial consideration in developing the new simulator. “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.”

ThoroughTec has developed a cross-platform adaptor kit which allows surface mining gear like haul trucks and shovels to be used on a common simulator base unit. This means that clients need only purchase one CYBERMINE⁴ Simulator base unit to operate both surface and underground simulator cabs, lowering total cost of ownership. “Clients that have purchased CYBERMINE Simulator cabs in the past need not worry about replacing them when upgrading to the fourth generation simulators as we have taken great care to ensure that CYBERMINE⁴ Simulators are completely backward compatible with all of our cabs already working hard in the field,” Collins said.

Collins explained that the new technology of the CYBERMINE⁴ can function to reduce a mine’s running costs. “The software automatically identifies operational violations such as speeding, simultaneous brake and accelerator engagement and incorrect gear selection, to which the instructor can then take corrective action with the student to eliminate these violations and thus save the mine a fortune in unnecessary maintenance bills and prevent hazardous safety situations,” he said.

Collins said that ThoroughTec’s technology-centric approach delivers more than good value to clients. “We are a technologies company, we are an engineering company. We are very happy to take on any development projects,” he said. “If a customer comes to us and says we are after a specific type of machine and we have not made it before, we are still very happy to do that, that is one of our core strengths.”

The high standards required for military simulation, which stipulates external auditing of products and processes, means ThoroughTec has full confidence in all aspects of its simulators. “Any customer that comes to us we welcome to walk through our facility. We will even show them our external audits,” said Collins.