Page 16 - Wire Rope News & Sling Technology - August 2019

continued from page 14 simulation for winch lines, load, and equipment to move and lift enormous
on their simulator, they are able to multiple rigging operations. weights. Ancient or not, we have to ad-
pass the exam the next time they take “Total immersion VRS delivers the mit that old Pharaoh Cheops remains
it. Simulators are also an ideal way seat-of-your-pants feel that translates unrivaled in his pyramid building
for operators who may lack confidence into a vastly reduced learning curve achievement. Humans have an insa-
(whether they are coming back from an when you get into an actual crane,” Da- tiable appetite to build big, go higher,
injury or a long layoff) to “shake off the vid emphasized. Of course the bottom and stretch further. That means more
rust” before getting back into the seat. line for VRS is the time and cost sav- cranes with greater technology and
ings of the actual training for the com- higher capacity will be engineered. It
A MENU OF VIRTUAL REALITY pany, and the productivity and efficien- also means that crane operators will
TRAINING cy of a well prepared operator. David depend more and more on technical
Generally speaking there are table cited a real-world example. One of their skills and top notch critical training.
top style VRS training programs and clients, Conewago Enterprises, a lead- Perhaps there is a key ingredient to
goggle-based immersion systems. They ing design-build general contractor has all this. Consider how we wonder at
are both useful, and fit into different reduced on site crane training with CM technology advances while completely
stages in the training cycle. Table-top Labs’ Vortex simulator. They have re- overlooking the wonder of the human
mounted systems can be invaluable duced on site crane training time from minds that created that technology. No
for becoming familiar with crane con- 6 months to 7 weeks, and training costs matter what the advances are, it takes
trols, and gaining an understanding from $40,000 to $15,000. This kind of human involvement to make technol-
of the physics of the crane, and how result makes the point that simulators ogy operate. Training, preparedness
loads react under variable conditions. can make a real, direct impact on busi- and no shortage of good old “boldness”
CM Labs simulators include actual ness productivity and bottom line. is what changes the world for the bet-
on-board crane computers, load mo- ter. Virtual Reality Simulation train-
ment indicators, varied boom configu- BIGGER, BETTER, FASTER ing will continue to play a key role in
ration, realistic simulation of crane The ancient Greeks and Romans preparing these professionals for the
behavior and cable physical property led the way in developing crane-like ongoing quest to go up, up, up. WRN

CIS Demo Event Attendees Praise Benefits of Training with CM Labs Simulator
Crane Industry Services, LLC (CIS), tio, and does not require job site super- understanding the particular crane’s op-
Carrollton, GA, recently took delivery visors or rigging crews for the training erations. “But the big system, that gives
of a Vortex Edge Plus portable crane exercise, or valuable equipment time. you the seat simulation, the movement
training simulator produced by CM Mark Templeton, Business Manager and the motion, is dead on to what you’re
Labs Simulations. To welcome the ar- for the IUOE Local 926 in Rex, GA, says going to get in the cab of a crane.”
rival of the new simulator, CIS hosted training on the simulator is a realistic A crane operator would pick up skills
a demonstration event with CM Labs experience. “The motion, the seat moving more quickly with a simulator, believes
at the CIS Centered on Safety facility Templeton. “There are more things he
in Carrollton, GA. The portable crane can be aware of, and different skills that
operations simulator garnered a lot of can be taught, in that situation,” he says,
attention during the event, reports LD noting he’s spent 20 years in crane op-
Stutes of CM Labs and Debbie Dickin- erations in the field and has worked
son, CEO of Crane Industry Services. around cranes of all types. “Your initial
Since 2016, CIS has used a full-size fears of being in a crane and the risks in-
simulator which is the forerunner to the volved in operating heavy machinery—
Vortex Advantage. “The desktop-style you take that risk factor out when you
simulator is portable, making it easier practice using a simulator, and you avoid
for training organizations to bring simu- the chance of damaging the equipment.”
lator training to their clients’ locations,” Illustrating that point exactly, CIS
said David Clark, Content Manager, CM reported that shortly after the CM Labs
Labs Simulators. “It is equipped to run demo event, a customer utilized the cab-
any CM Labs training module, which in- style simulator to prepare for a rough-
cludes mobile cranes, tower cranes, fork- terrain crane practical exam for crane
lifts, and earthmoving equipment.” operator certification. The operator had
The self-guided programs are pro- several months of job-related experience
gressive in nature, and capture op- Vortex Edge Plus portable crane training before starting the training. After spend-
erator metrics, for valuable feedback, simulator from CM Labs Simulations. ing about 40 hours on the Vortex simula-
explains Clark. CIS sends a simulator around, giving you the effect of a real-life tor and 10 hours on an actual crane in
technician, who is also a certified in- crane cab experience impressed me,” he the yard, the operator was able to pass
structor and certified crane operator, to said. “I’m a crane operator myself and the practical exam on the first try.
set up the portable simulator in differ- the effect was realistic. We have a CM Crane Industry Services is WBE-cer-
ent locations. The instructor handles Labs simulator at the IUOE interna- tified and NCCER-accredited to train
the technical side of the machine and tional training site and I’ve been able to and provide OSHA-recognized, ANSI-
can simultaneously coach the trainees. get on it.” He believes the tabletop mod- accredited crane operator certification
The simulator-based training reduces els are good for learning a crane’s func- testing www.centeredonsafety.com or
the man hours to train to a 3: or 4:1 ra- tions, such as LMI readings, and better (770)-783-9292.

16 Wire Rope News & Sling Technology August 2019