Immersive Technologies further strengthens its offerings for underground mining with the development of simulators (Conversion Kit) for the Sandvik DD420 Jumbo Drill and Atlas Copco MT6020 articulated underground truck. The Jumbo Drill particularly represents a leap forward in innovation, design and application due to highly realistic drilling physics coupled with an ingenious ‘drilling assistant’ feature to maximize operator training effectiveness.
The Sandvik DD420 Jumbo Drill is a very popular underground development drill and the Immersive simulator provides an authentic and comprehensive recreation of the DD420, with cabin comprising of tramming controls, drill and boom controls, jack controls, dials, gauges and a variety of the ancillary functions. The controls are all based on the fully-hydraulic version of the machine, with the software supporting both closed-cab and open-cab arrangements.
Innovation doesn’t stop there with a new type of “Special View” in which the operator can use an integrated dash-control to “walk” around the outside of the cab and navigate within the 3-D virtual world to inspect aspects of the development heading. This is a key feature for Jumbo operators where regular external inspections can form part of their daily routine in ensuring correct drill hole alignment.
Particular care and attention to detail has been put into the visuals for the drill, setting new standards in 3-D graphical machine models for mining simulations. The simulator uses the full 360° display of the Immersive Technologies UG360 simulator platform in order to provide a highly-realistic underground setting within which to conduct training. Other aspects of machine operation such as tramming and jack operation are covered by a comprehensive set of scenarios, resulting in a complete training experience for all Jumbo Drill operators.
The Atlas Copco MT6020 is also a very popular model of large, articulated, underground trucks. The first of the new underground mine truck simulator will go into service with an underground mining contractor in August 2012 where it will start the process of training operators for enhanced safety and productivity. The new simulator creates an ideal, safe environment to provide initial training for new operators to rapidly build knowledge of both the machine and the mining methods and protocols used underground. Companies also understand that investing in ongoing experienced operator training and skills development helps achieve their strategic objectives and improve metrics relating to operator productivity and machine downtime while driving improvement to the bottom line. The simulator accurately simulates the MT6020 within the UG360 transportable underground simulator.
“We are very excited to bring these products to our customers. Particularly as new product innovations are driven from our ongoing partnering with the mining industry, and our work in delivering measurable outcomes,” said Bryant Mullaney, learning and development specialist, Immersive Technologies. “Our Training Systems Integration projects and Continuous Improvement projects for example continue to be a rich resource to drive ongoing product development, and these products have been no different as our customers are looking for more than technology with their operator development solution.”
