Design Of Training Simulators Research Articles

Videorecording of experts as a method of training-simulator design

Designers of training-simulators have traditionally depended on task-analysis as the main informational resource for design. Although traditional task-analysis provides information about the necessary details of a task and the required steps in performance, it is deficient in representing a skill and its qualitative dimensions. This deficiency has led to lingering confusions for designers and resulted in using challenging constructs such as fidelity. To provide richer information about skills, this article proposes a novel design method. The method gathers information of skills directly from studying multiple experts by videorecording their performance in target environments. The recordings are then used to create a model of average expert behaviour that can directly guide the design of simulators. An experimental example shows the practicality of the method in providing specific information for human factors/ergonomics practitioners in the design and improvement of training-simulators. By focussing on experts and videorecording their performance, the method provides multiple benefits to the design such as increasing the validity of the performance model, creating a qualitative model of skills, and proposing a generic solution to the design problem.

The concept of digital twins for tech operator training simulator design for mining and processing industry

According to the top-priority trends and challenges in the mineral sector, and as per the mining science strategy, it is highly critical to arrange enhanced control, prediction and safety of production objects and their functioning for the preservation of automation sustainability. Improved control of databases, regulatory bonds, management, logistics and principles of sustainable development in mining makes it possible to reduce technological deviations and accidents at large mining and processing plants. Most procedural violations and accidents in surface and underground mines occur because of the unskilled actions of process flow operators. Damage in this case can be considerable, especially as compared with the expenses connected with qualitative training and persistent development of personnel engaged with supervisory control and data acquisition for the efficient operation of SCADA-systems within the automation framework of mining and processing plants. Definition of digital systems and their interrelation with multilevel automated control can be incorrect. The review of new principles can awaken interest in the conceptual assessment of digitalization processes using such notions as: numerical models, simulator, and artificial intelligence. Often applied formulations and principles of a digital model are substituted without justification of functional connections. On the other hand, a digital system today can be assumed as robotic lines and other numerical models and smart technologies, for instance, machining stations with numerical program control. It is necessary to define the practical significance of conceptual modifications and digital transformation regarding objects of the mineral sector, using Big Data; to understand how a digital twin can influence a changeable process situation; to provide prompt prediction; to eliminate an accident; and to preserve the physical balance in the whole production system. Such intelligent and flexible productions particularly need computerbased simulators and digital twins based on technologies of Industry 4.0–extended and virtual reality on the basis of digital twins. Digital twins allow maximal simulation of real-life activity of process flow operators. The skills acquired by personnel after such simulation training enable operators to master the optimized procedure for functioning in emergency situations in mineral mining and processing. This paper exemplifies the remote training and control of process flows, which is of concern in the current international situation.

Investigating haptic distance-to-break using linear and nonlinear materials in a simulated minimally invasive surgery task

Accurate detection of mediated haptic information in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is critical for applying appropriate force magnitudes onto soft tissue with the aim of minimising tissue trauma. Force perception in MIS is a dynamic process, with surgeons’ administration of force into tissue revealing information about the remote surgical site which further informs the surgeons’ haptic interactions. The relationship between applied force and material deformation rate provides biomechanical information specifying the deformation distance remaining until a tissue will fail: which is termed distance-to-break (DTB). The current study demonstrates that observers can detect DTB while deforming simulated tissues and stop before reaching the tissues’ failure points. The design of training simulators, control devices and automated robotic systems for applications outside of MIS is discussed.Practitioner Summary: In MIS, haptic information is critical for applying appropriate forces onto soft tissue to minimise tissue trauma. Observers used force information to detect how far they could deform a virtual tissue before it would break. The design of training simulators, control devices and automated robotic systems is discussed.

Perceptual-motor coordination in an endoscopic surgery simulation.

This study examined perceptual-motor coordination with an apparatus that simulated a situation representative of endoscopic surgery. Participants were trained with one arrangement of the apparatus, then tested with an alternative arrangement in which either the positions of the camera, the surgeon, or the objects in the surgical field were altered. Results showed that changes of either the camera's position or the surgeon's position disrupted performance. However, when the camera and surgeon positions were changed together, skilled performance was maintained. This suggests that skill depends on a consistent mapping between the virtual hands and eyes, but not on the particular visual or motor orientations. The results suggest that movements of the camera during surgery can disrupt coordinated action. Also, in the design of training simulators, the mapping between camera and instruments may be more important than the static appearance of the displays or the topology of the movements.

New Advanced Training Simulator Design for Power System Operations

In order to prevent human error, the importance of training and improving the skills of personnel involved in operations and maintenance can never be overly emphasized. First, this paper gives a brief overview of Tohoku Electric Power Company's new Training Center Scheme for 21st Century education strategies. Second, it explains the design concepts of an advanced training simulator for power system operators, which will be installed in the Center in 1990. Conventional simulators used at other electric utilities are capable of training personnel in frequency, load flow and voltage control. However, the most critical operations during periods of emergency and restoration of power supply are switchgear operations in which procedure operators must infer from protective relay information where the disturbance has occurred and how to restore trippcd-out transmission lines by separating disturbed lines or busbars. For this purpose, it is essential to have functions simulating the repercussions of fault phenomena activated by protective relays or breaker operations. This paper describes the most advanced technologies and innovations applied to the design of an epochal training simulator for power system operations.

A Dispatcher Training Simulator Design with Multi-Purpose Interfaces

An advanced Dispatcher Training Simulator (DTS) design which also facilitates software testing is described in this paper. In other EMS enviromnents, special software must be developed to support facility installation and new applications software testing. The DTS is designed such that no substantial changes are required in order for it to be used as a Software Testing Simulator (STS). The key to such a design is a flexible communication interface.

A Dispatcher Training Simulator Design with Multi-Purpose Interfaces

A Dispatcher Training Simulator Design with Multi-Purpose Interfaces

Training Simulator Design for a Marine Engine Room at Different Levels of Fidelity

A marine powerplant on a large supertanker is a complex system made up of a number of interconnected subsystems where most functions are automated. A human operator manages the system in supervisory control mode, intervening only when an event occurs requiring his action to restore normal operations. For training marine engineering personnel to detect, diagnose, and compensate for failures, simulators at different fidelity levels are being developed. A low fidelity simulator uses information displayed on an Apple II computer terminal in conjunction with system schematics provided on paper. Details of the low fidelity simulator are described, and the results of a pilot experiment are discussed.

Training of Technical Staff for Nuclear Power Station Operation

The paper discusses the statutory training requirements covering the technical staff in the CEGB (Central Electricity Generating Board). Details of the training programmes emphasize the importance of the staff having a thorough understanding of the nuclear processes involved in the station operation and not relying solely upon a mechanistic approach to operating procedures. The paper also examines the impact of this philosophy on the design of training simulators and makes a brief comparison with the training philosophies in other countries.

Theory and Practice in the Design of Training Simulators

Abstract: The interaction of theory and practice in the design of training simulators is readdressed. The traditional model of theories of learning being put to use in the practice of training has not been much in evidence in this area. On the theoretical side the work has concentrated on simple learning tasks and it has not been easy to extend these ideas to complex real‐life systems. On the practical side, too, there have been shortcomings. Designers and users of simulators have tended to seek high fidelity or realism in their training devices. This is usually justified by them in terms of its face validity or acceptability by trainees and not because of established training values. A number of possible dimensions of fidelity are suggested as a means of tackling the complex issues in the area. Some typical studies illustrate the current state of research and of the development of training technology.