The best industrial training simulators can combine the instant feedback of e-learning with immersive exercises designed to train muscle memory, eliminating the costs of real practice.
Whilst researching supplier capabilities at this year’s Learning Technologies Exhibition, I got the chance to try out one of the virtual welding simulators developed by Totem Learning. Although I knew that simulators were regularly used to train soldiers and pilots, testing one for myself made me realise that the technology could reduce costs in a much wider range of industries.
Vicky Rose, the company’s head of communications, helpfully talked me through how to hold the game’s controller—a plastic replica of a standard welding electrode—at the right distance from the plastic parts to be ‘welded’ together. The position of the controller is tracked by a computer, allowing its movements to be shown onscreen as interacting with a virtual welding station. When the trigger is pulled, the virtual welding begins, with the challenge being to move the tool steadily along the simulated metal.
One of the major advantages of this kind of training is that it offers continuous feedback; coloured bars appeared to let me know when I was moving the tool too quickly or too slowly, or was holding it too close or too far from the joint. Detailed graphs and scores on completion (as well as a realistic picture of my slightly wobbly welding results) showed me how I’d done and, encouragingly, that I had improved throughout the exercise.
Unlike real welding training, the game incorporated difficulty settings, allowing a complete novice like me to build my muscle memory gradually before trying for greater technical proficiency.
Another advantage of simulations is that they are safe, easy and free to repeat. By the end, I immediately wanted to try again to increase my score and could do so by pressing a button. In real life, I would have to reset the workstation and use additional energy and expensive welding consumables to practise again. Traditionally, a great deal of this slow and costly trial and error was required before an employee could achieve consistent welding results.
As well as training welding staff more efficiently, simulators can be a valuable recruitment tool, serving as a good way of testing natural aptitude at job fairs and increasing candidates’ interest in a range of skilled trades.
They can also be used to reduce the cost of the employee selection process, by, for instance, helping HR staff to identify candidates who have overstated their welding expertise. Weeding out those who would not pass before they reach the real-life testing stage reduces the amount of materials and employee time spent on testing unsuccessful applicants.
Totem Learning is just one of the many companies developing bespoke simulators for corporate clients. More complex simulators incorporate virtual reality headsets, realistic safety gear and reactive, motorised tools to create an even more immersive experience.
Procurement staff, particularly in the manufacturing industry, would do well to consider whether investing in simulators could reduce their overall training costs.
from Procurement Leaders Blog http://ift.tt/1LgnI1J
This content was assembled for you by the YQ Matrix platform
The views expressed in this post and throughout the series are the autor's own and not intended to reflect the views the YQ Matrix platform, its users or any associated organisations.
For the procurement people among you, have a look at the latest YQ Matrix raw material and semi-finished prices. For: Prices on other websites.
No comments:
Post a Comment