Immersive Technologies releases the world's first Dozer Simulator
June 20, 2003
Perth, Australia, 23 June 2003 Immersive Technologies, the developer of leading simulator technology for mining and other heavy equipment, today announced it has produced the world's first commercial Dozer Simulator for training operators. The first production unit has been sold to De Beers in Africa.
The Dozer Simulator, a Komatsu fitted D475A, is the latest in a family of modular 'Conversion Kits®' that are designed to fit Immersive Technologies' Advanced Equipment (AE) Simulator. A Caterpillar D10, D11R Dozer Conversion Kit® will also be available very soon. Changing the AE Simulator from a Truck to Dozer takes less than 30 minutes and is done simply by the customer by swapping Conversion Kits®.
Immersive Technologies CEO, Peter Salfinger, said "What makes the Dozer Conversion Kit® so special is its ability to realistically simulate actual dozing and ripping conditions in a range of hard and soft soils. Our engineers had to overcome a whole range of technical difficulties to achieve the level of realism required to make this an effective training tool."
The operator sits in a Dozer cabin with real functional controls and displays. A 180 degree full-colour displays provide vital left and right peripheral vision together with a very low viewing angle, a must to see the edges of the Dozers blade. The 3-axis motion base provides authentic movement and feedback. The trainee is presented with on-screen multimedia style lessons and a range of dozing and ripping tasks. Emergency situations together with various environmental conditions can be simulated that are impossible to replicate in real life.
From the moment the simulation starts, the trainee´s performance and the essential machine operating information are monitored and recorded with the results available in report form for analysis. The supervisor can also ´play-back´ the simulation and discuss the trainee's actions.
"The range of Conversion Kits® offered by Immersive now includes Haul Trucks, Hydraulic Excavators and Shovels, Electric Shovels, and Dozers. In total we can now simulate an incredible 55 different machines from various manufacturers. This means we can deliver what our customers demand", said Wayde Salfinger, Products Director.
"Quality training of operators is not just about improved safety, it is also producing significant productivity improvements through reducing the training time required, reduced cycle times within the mine, reductions in unscheduled maintenance and allowing expensive equipment to stay in the production cycle", Peter said.
Immersive Technologies supply simulators to many of the world´s leading mining houses including Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Albian Oil Sands, De Beers, Syncrude, Kennecott Copper, Suncor and to many of the world´s leading equipment manufacturers including Caterpillar, Komatsu, P&H and Bucyrus.
