The compact simulator forms a safe training tool for operators and maintenance teams. It has been designed to improve both operator and drilling performance to deliver benefits for underground drilling applications.

The fully mobile system weighs less than 50kg. The simulator aims to deliver '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 the drills themselves, Sandvik said.

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. 

Additionally, training sessions can be conducted for multiple participants in a safe environment. It also facilitates regular operator retraining and the implementation of an operator assessment process without impacting on site productivity.

Due 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, Sandvik said, operator training can begin even before the rig has been delivered and commissioned.

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, in turn, evaluates and measures trainee performance.

With the training course management tool, the trainer can customise training and use multiple pre-planned training scenarios.

The simulator has been designed to ensure that rig operators are fully familiar with the features and the capabilities of the Sandvik rigs from day one.

Ensuring that operators can use the drill rig to its full potential safely and productively as quickly as possible is what the simulator is about, with the training simulator performing all boom and feed movements, as well as the entire drilling cycle, the OEM explained.

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

According to Sandvik, the use of the simulator is estimated to produce a 5% increase in annual productivity in rig availability, and training costs are reduced by up to 35%.