you can almost smell the resin while
bolting.”
“The bolting simulation takes into
account factors such as feed, rotation
and percussion pressures, bit rotation
speed and wear to provide a realistic
drilling experience,” said Bellengere.
“As a result, all drilling, bolting and
tramming is simulated with realistic
audio-visual and tactile feedback for
complete immersion in the training
scenario.”
“The bolters will last longer now
because the operators will have a
better understanding of how to use
the machine in the correct sequence,”
said Bekker. As an example of
incorrect and inefficient procedure,
Khutala was finding that some of its
bolter operators were bolting without
deploying the jacks. “This puts extra
strain on the tyres, decreasing their
life,” explained Bekker. The simulator
will help them avoid this incorrect
procedure altogether. Besides the
possibility of fall of ground, other
dangers include possible pinching and
getting caught in some of the moving
parts. Simulators help with muscle
memory so operators can concentrate
on dangers and making the
environment safe, which is the main
priority. The trainee operators can also
be exposed to a number of scenarios
that they may encounter under real
operating conditions, including
emergency situations, critical vehicle
failures and vehicular and pedestrian
traffic.
Khutala will also have a
customised 3D virtual mine world for
its bolter operators to train in.
Obviously the more accurate and
realistic the world is, the more training
value will be taken from every
exercise. “We have done a lot of
detailed work to simulate the different
bolting scenarios the operator will
face,” said Malcolm Bennett, Manager
of 3D Art R&D. “Besides a standard
face where operators can test their
distancing from the wall and between
each bolt, we have simulated brow,
slip and undercut bolting scenarios.”
The bolter operators need to know
how to tackle each type of face they
encounter in a safe and productive
manner. “The slip bolting scenario is
particularly tricky,” continued
Bennett. “The operator has to bolt
along what can sometimes be quite a
jagged crack in the roof and make it
safe for the following miners.” The
brow and undercut bolting scenarios
help teach the operators to bolt and
make areas safe where the continuous
miners have not cut cleanly along the
roof and side walls.
“We have simulated both single
and dual-boom bolters, along with
features such as mesh handling,
mechanical or manual loading and
various bolt types (rebar, Swellex,
etc.), tailored to customer-specific
requirements,” said Bellengere. The
simulated bolter cab makes use of
original components and
specifications to create an
ergonomically correct and accurate
replica of the original vehicle. The seat
is surrounded by fully functional
controls, including steering wheel,
switches, gauges, levers, pedals and
joysticks.
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SINCE 1968
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controls
some of the biggest, most complex mines in the world.
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