The new Sandvik Operator Training Simulator has been designed specifically to improve both operator and drilling performance, delivering real benefits for underground drilling applications. It provides a low-weight (less than 50kg), safe training tool that is highly portable, enabling it to be used where it is most needed - on site.

Sandvik's new simulator delivers ‘real life' training in a simulated working environment, with drill rig operators and maintenance teams learning about rig capabilities before progressing to the actual equipment. The simulator acts like a real rig, operated with authentic controls and combined with the same control system software as that installed on Sandvik's drills.

The simulator comes with purpose-developed software that includes a range of specific exercises for recording and measuring operator behaviour. The trainer can initiate machine faults, incidents or hazards to train and assess operators, thereby ensuring they are able to respond correctly to any scenario with maximum efficiency. Additionally, training sessions can be conducted for multiple participants in a safe environment, preventing the risk of injury or material damage. Furthermore, it facilitates regular operator retraining and the implementation of an operator assessment process without impacting on site productivity.

The simulator has been designed to enable tailor-made training sessions to suit trainee experience levels, using a range of exercises and simulated conditions in a variety of applications and situations. A report evaluates and measures trainee performance, ensuring that the training is of direct benefit to operators.

The simulator safely develops and refreshes operators' skills within a protected environment and significantly reduces the drill start-up period. It has been designed to ensure that rig operators are fully familiar with the features and the capabilities of the Sandvik rig from day one. The shorter transition to using the real equipment results in quicker familiarisation, improving efficiency and productivity. Additionally, there is no risk of equipment damage, zero consumption of rock tools and fuel, zero emissions and no exposure of the trainees to risk in familiarising them with a new drill rig.

The simulator is fully compatible with Sandvik iSURE software - Sandvik's tunnel management tool for accurate drilling, charging and blasting plans.

Thanks to its compact size and its wheeled carrying case, the simulator can easily be carried by a single person to wherever it is needed. With a very short set-up time, operator training can begin before the rig has been delivered and commissioned, providing increased levels of operational efficiency, with no learning curve required prior to using the rig on site.