THE DRILL SIM PROJECT SATISFIES THE EXISTING DEMAND FOR TRAINING OF OPERATORS OF JUMBO TYPE AUTOMATED TUNNEL MACHINES, WHETHER THEY BE NEW OR EXPERIENCED.
The Drill Sim project emerged from the development of training tools based on the latest simulation technology. Its basic objective is the design and integration of a training simulator for operators of automated Jumbo tunnel machines. This project was financed by the Castile and Leon regional government through the Santa Barbara Foundation. The Drill Sim project was developed by Lander with the collaboration of Sandvik Española S.A, and the Centre for Studies and Technical Research of Guipuzcoa.
Characteristics such as high-performance training, and a high degree of immersion made it possible to fulfil the objective of achieving efficient training of operators. The realism obtained by the simulator makes it possible for users and technicians to train suitable practices with this kind of machinery, and the consequences of a lack of safety in risky and negligent operations, within a safe and comfortable environment for the operator and instructor.
In full operation since 2008 at the installations of the Santa Barbara Foundation, the simulator has become an essential tool for training operators of tunnel boring machines.
The jumbo Sandvik Axera T11 Data is an electro-hydraulic three-boom machine, controlled by computer for fast and accurate drilling in tunnelling and the execution of large chambers.
This machine has been chosen to guarantee the success of the operators’ training in work scenarios which could arise, to be in line with the guidelines established in the project. It is a widely used machine; it reflects an action setting in the simulator that the operators easily recognise, without creating interpretation barriers in the action of the actual machine.
The machine has been modelled in all its complexity, and its handling and behaviour have been faithfully reproduced in different operating modes.
From the instructor station it is possible to design and edit the different exercises that cover the most common situations that operators may find themselves in. The execution of the training sessions carried out is controlled in the training station. The monitoring of the activity of each student during the exercise is complete.
To achieve natural interaction, the actions taken by the operator in the training station are carried out on a control panel assembled from the actual Axera T11-DATA Jumbo. The visual system of the simulator truly reflects the work environment, taking into account factors such as the real conditions in which users operate and the behaviour of the machine. The viewing angle in the simulator is identical to the angle that the operator of a real machine has.
Setting faithful to reality
The operation of the simulator adapts to the characteristics of the terrain, which is simulated exactly as would occur in a real rocky mass. The visual module realistically represents the work during the simulation of the different exercises. The environmental work conditions have been reproduced to the smallest detail. The simulator generates the necessary sounds to increase the degree of immersion that operators must feel when carrying out their activities in it.
Training and faults
The operation of the simulator adapts to the characteristics of the terrain, which is simulated exactly as would occur in a real rocky mass. The visual module realistically represents the work during the simulation of the different exercises. The environmental work conditions have been reproduced to the smallest detail. The simulator generates the necessary sounds to increase the degree of immersion that operators must feel when carrying out their activities in it.
Help for the instructor
The autonomy for automatic assessment of sessions, complete monitoring of the students’ activity and the recording of sessions on video or audio are all elements that facilitate the instructor’s work to a great extent. The system is capable of detecting and recording errors and incidents during the sessions. The monitoring of the activity of each student is complete.
Reproduction of the sessions
An important part of the training is the possibility of both the instructor and the student being able to study in detail each of the movements made during the session. All of the sessions are recorded and can be played back at any time via a user-friendly interface which is the equivalent of a DVD player.
This project is financed by the Castilla y León regional government via the Santa Bárbara Foundation
