The largest hydraulic training system of its kind in Europe and
South Africa is run by Festo Didacticjaipur made crusher truck mounted.
„We have been involved in the development of innovative learning
systems, which simplify the instruction and study of modern
hydraulic and pneumatic control technology, for the past 30 years,“
states didactics manager Tom Webster.
He adds that the use of hydraulics in mining is prolific, whatever
the product being mined.
„We have been involved with between 14 and 15 mining companies, and
have adapted our courses and equipment to suit South African mining
conditions,“ says Webster.
The wide use of hydraulics in plant and machinery has led to large
mining companies introducing in-depth technical hydraulic training
courses for mining personnel, ranging from apprentices to artisans
and operators. All hydraulic training equipment conforms to the
Mining Industry EducationaI Technical Training Board’s training
requirements.
The company supplies hardware, courseware, software and training
equipment, which is deployed mainly at mines‘ training centres
throughout Southern Africa.
More than 30 systems have been bought by various mines, while the
equipment is also used in some of the mining colleges in South
Africa, for example the Witbank Colliery and Goldfields training
centres.
Students, apprentices and skilled workers learn how to simulate
hydraulic circuits using real industrial equipment.
The company provides training which also promotes system thinking,
a qualification which is in particular demand at the interfaces
between man and machine.
Train-the-trainer sessions have also been undertaken to familiarise
mining trainers with all aspects of the system supplied.
„We believe our training facilities and equipment, which are
fundamental tools for development, will raise knowledge and skills
in the industry,“ states MD Richard Teagle. He adds that, as a
number of mines are being upgraded, more in-depth training is
required, especially in the field of hydraulics.
Latest developments from the company include a computer-aided
software package, Fluidsim-H.
This enables participants to design, test and simulate hydraulic
circuits.
It is also a valuable tool for trainers.
Training software and virtual learning environments are now typical
features of many training segments in vocational training
organisations.
The benefits of the software is that it is able to interact with
the real industrial equipment that students do practical exercises
with.
„We are a world leader in the field of modular hydraulic training
systems, and invaluable experience gained in the fields of control
and automation has seen this knowledge transferred to the didactic
training division,“ concludes Teagle.