Updated version November 2017 (here)

The application of the Training System of the Tower Crane is based on a 3D user environment so browsing is easy and intuitive, allowing also a complete integration of the teaching content and the simulation system based on the virtual reality.

Aim of the project.

To build a gantry crane for the training of new operators and also for operators with experience.

Motivation.

• To improve the economic performance of real cranes as you have to spend less time for training periods.
• Improvement of the speed curve of the learning of the operator.
• Control of adverse situations
• Increase of the safety for operators and cranes.
• Quality image projection of the port.

A real solution.

• Building of an immersive environment based on “Virtual Reality” Techniques analogous to the real environment of a workspace of tower crane.
• The operators will handle the controls, feel the movements, and hear the sounds due to the operations performed and they will see the workspace as if they were on the workspace of a tower crane.
• The simulator provides a real mechanical control panel and a system that provides visual and audio effects.

High performance simulator

The Tower Crane Simulator by LSyM is a complete simulation system PC-based that, thanks to the use of the advances in graphic information has a low cost without sacrificing high performance.

The system has:

• Virtual settings with real digitized images
• 3D graphic models of high quality
• Portable projection system with passive stereo projection and tracker
• Playing a real sound of a crane during the simulation
• Using real controls of a tower crane
• Mathematical model designed from real cranes
• Weather Phenomena: wind, rain,...

Possibility of using specific Hardware

Although the crane tower simulator can be monitored by generic controls, our system allows the use of controls that simulate keypads used in reality for the tower cranes operation, making the feelings during the simulation the most realistic possible.

Elements of the tower crane simulation environment

In the simulation environment we can find the elements that are in a real port. The operators during the simulation can interact with them directly or indirectly.

• Tower Crane: crane where the main activity takes place
• Avatars: human beings of the working environment that will help both in the simulation exercise and in the theoretical indications of the crane operation
• Base
• Ballast
• Cabin
• Cart
• Counter-weight
• Counter-jib
• Slew ring
• O. apprehension
• Boom
• Top of the Tower
• Tower

Instructional design

The simulator for training by LSyM has a complete instructional design that guides both the learner and the instructor, using the experience of this, in order to maximize the learning capacity of users.

The main functions available are the following:

• Multimedia teaching material integrated in the 3D training system
• Exercises handbook
• Operators’ databases system
• Tracking system of the learning programme for each learner
• Obtaining reports, summaries, etc.
• Guided practices by sound messages and on the simulator screen
• Register of non-allowed operations and dangerous operations

Immerse yourself in the simulation environment. Weather conditions

The simulator implements several types of weather situations that may be critical in the real world such as low visibility on a very cloudy day or on a dark night. These conditions are also reflected in the physical operation of the crane, making much more difficult to perform successfully the different exercises on rainy and windy days.It should be noted that implementing new types of exercises is easy if necessary for some specification of a particular case.

Using a panel, the user can choose the weather conditions to simulate, changing the time of day, rainfall, wind speed or cloud cover. The fog effects can be activated to increase the difficulty of the exercise being carried out by the operator. A real situation is provided to the user for increasing the immersion in the environment. Some examples are shown below:

Sensors (Advanced and HID)

All the system of event inputs and analog signals of the simulator is done in such a way being highly configurable. It can be used from gaming devices to high-level electronic boards.

Each client can configure, through a simple user interface, the controls to his/her taste and depending on the type of equipment used.

Languages

Our simulators offer multi language support. Thanks to the settings panel, you can easily change the language in which the simulator is displayed. We currently offer translations into Spanish, English, French and Portuguese. If the language you require is not among the above, please contact us.

Automatic updates

This tool reports the launching of a new version of the simulator. It is connected every time the application to the LsyM server starts and it is responsible for searching for a newer software version, if so, a screen with information about this new version and a link to the direct download of the new executable are displayed.

User and Groups Management

The simulator provides the necessary functions for the proper management of users and workgroups. Through the interface, basics tasks such as creating, editing and deleting  users can be done adapting the simulator use to the customer needs. Also it allows you to view statistics and evaluations of each user in a clear and detailed way.

Evaluation of exercises

Every time an exercise is performed on the simulator, the necessary data are stored to proceed with the evaluation of the exercise itself. Users can access this information shown by an exercise report. This report contains important data such as the movements made or the remarkable observations and they are presented to users by charts and graphs showing in detail each one of the evaluated parameters, as well as information of interest such as the time taken to carry out the exercise, number of the exercise done, date, etc.

Realistic sounds

The simulator includes real sounds of the tower crane movement, work environments, etc. so when the exercises are carried out the feeling of being located in an work area is as realistic as possible. The volume of each type of sound can be configured from the interface to adapt it to any possible environment.