Operating heavy machinery is a complex and not intuitive task which requires long and costly training periods. As qualification of the operator has a significant impact in productivity and safety, operation of hazardous machine by an unskilled operator implies high risk and costs.
In order to learn machinery operation skills properly, an operator must perform particular exercises or manoeuvres on several occasions to acquire psychomotor guidelines which are achieved through the repetition. Some of the exercises that benefit the learning process are not possible to perform using the real machinery, as they imply danger for the driver and the equipment. Using real equipment units for training purposes is associated with high costs for the company.
Simulation-based training combined with virtual reality is a competitive alternative to traditional training users to learn how to use real machines, without the need to use such machines. This allows to avoid risks and to save costs.
A training simulator allows repetition of manoeuvres as well as to exercises under a very wide range of conditions, and the exposition of the trainee to many extraordinary events that are not possible when using real machinery.
REAL MACHINES | SIMULATORS | |
---|---|---|
SAFETY | Very high risks associated with health and safety | Completely safe for people and equipment |
COSTS | High costs associated with the rental, maintenance and possible breakage of the equipment | More economical than using real machines |
TIME | Takes much longer to achieve the necessary level of the operator when compared with using a simulator | More efficient training in the shorter time |
TRAINING LIFE-THREATENING SCENARIOS | Involve a high risk, and are unfeasible in a real life | Safe training of dangerous situations step by step while developing their motor memory |
AVAILABILITY AND REPETITION | Depends on the machine accessibility on the instructor schedule, weather conditions | Students can practice at any time and as much as it is necessary |
OBJETIVE EVALUATION | Depends on attention and objectivity of an instructor | All evidences of performed exercises and automated tracking of attendees to training and learning sessions through the system's integrated database |
In order to achieve an efficient training in terms of both time and money, the purpose is to reduce the time of the user’s learning curve, meaning acquire the necessary skills faster. Using a Simulator as a learning tool is proven to be much more efficient when compared to the real machinery as shown in a graph below.
This is not only because of the holistic set of exercises but also because the user can practice all kinds of circumstances impossible to execute using a real machine. For example, in a sudden breakdown or extreme atmospheric conditions. Another important factor is that, using a simulator allows to practice in a safe environment, thus, concentrate on acquiring skills better, as there is no fear involved associated with causing harm or damage to people or equipment.
As a result of better training (as followed the instructional design, which is designed to achieve the most effective learning) in a shorter time, means experienced personnel that enhance productivity of the company by reduction of time and executing tasks in correct manner.
Training with a simulator means no risks during the education period. While learning and practicing how to operate industrial machines, there are no risks associated with it. No accidents, no harm to people or damage to equipment etc.
More beneficial than education with actual machines because of required machine costs (fuel and maintenance costs because of unskilled operating skills).
Train your staff when it suits you the best! Training with simulator means that staff is not depending on availability of the machines. Additionally, training does not depend on weather conditions or any external factors.
Transform the conventional process to the e-learning which offers:
Not everyone is the same and some need more time than the other. With simulators students can choose which exercises to practice and how many times, which permits to address individual needs.
Digital learning does not only help you to identify strengths and weaknesses, it enables instructors to track progress too. Instructors have an easily accessible online record of all executed exercises.
Using Simulators as a training tool, means contributing to the reduction in CO2 emissions and avoiding negative effect on the world’s atmosphere.
Traditionally, knowledge of an operator is evaluated by the instructor during the machinery operation training, however, this is highly subjective, as there are limitations regarding the extend a human eye can see things.
With a simulator, an instructor can see not the recording, but a real time situation from different angles and see the factors that contributed for a student to react in a certain way. Read more
Using Simulators is highly engaging, so it encourages to participate more during the education course. LSyM offers integrated digital learning techniques like collaborative mode, where two or more students can perform an exercise with different simulator machines in the same environment in order to achieve a common goal. Such collaboration serves a purpose of developing of necessary team-building skills.