The University of Valencia’s Laboratory of Simulation and Modelling (LSyM) has developed a training system, based on a simulator, that reproduces the working environment of real quay cranes.
Thesystem–enteredintotheICHCA/TTClubInnovationinSafetyAwards–caninputsuddencranebreakdowns,hazardsand changes in the weather conditions,including wind, these conditions being reproduced by a motion platform under the seat.
The simulator also has a theory module and pre-operation inspection exercises to guide users on procedures and safety checks before turning on the crane.
“We spent eight months implementing the new software developments into the STS crane simulator,” says Pablo Galán, Head of Business Development. “These developments include new 3D models, new terminal layouts, new functionalities in crane control management for autonomous operations and new exercises.”
LSyM supplied its first simulator to the Port of Valencia 25 years ago, delivering a multi-machine simulator in a cabin station hardware with a 6DOF (six-degrees-of- freedom) motion platform underneath it. This motion platform has been working about eight hours per day, has not been replaced and is still running today, says Galán, although other hardware changes have been done, such as replacing the old visual system of projectors with high-definition screens that can withstand the vibrations of the motion platform.
“Now they are using an additional simulator of the same type to perform exercises with two operators/users simultaneously in Collaborative Mode – for example, an exercise with two STS cranes operating jointly on the same vessel or an STS Crane operating with a reachstacker on the yard.”
The most important part of a simulator for training port machinery operators is its instructional system, says L Rafael Martínez, Director, LSyM. “If this is not accurate enough, the simulator will not accomplish its intended purpose of training machinery operators on how to use the real machines; it will not perform effectively and will simply become an expensive video game.
“We focus on creating training tools that deliver strong learning outcomes. For example, our fully customisable evaluation system for different groups of operators and our Collaborative Mode, which allows multiple operators/users to work together in the same virtual environment, to identify the main points of interest in the teamwork, make corrections or improve the transversal skills from each operator. We are also proud of our Debriefing system, which records every exercise for later evaluation in one-on-one meetings between the instructors and users. The Debriefing recordings can also be synchronised with footage from an optional video camera that can be attached to the simulator, to capture the user’s reactions during the exercises.”
