High reach simulator first for NFDC

The UK’s National Federation of Demolition Contractors has taken delivery of what is believed to be a world first – a high reach training simulator that was delivered to the NFDC’s office in Hemel Hempstead at the end of May. The simulator has been developed by the NFDC in conjunction with Volvo Construction Ltd, who supplied the cab unit, and Swedish software supplier Oryx Simulations.

The NFDC has purchased two units, one of which will be based at its Hemel Hempstead headquarters and the second that the Federation hopes to take mobile. Indeed, delegates to the World Demolition Summit in Amsterdam at the end of October will get a chance to take a look at the simulator, which will have pride of place outside the conference room on the day. It will also be a highlight at the forthcoming DemoExpo being held in Birmingham at the end of this month.

According to the NFDC, the simulator will allow for the training of apprentices, to allow experienced plant operators to uprate their skill levels, test plant skills during operator recruitment and promote the industry as a skilled career path.

The hardware consists of a modified Volvo excavator simulator that includes features such as a boom mounted camera and a tilting cab to create the feeling of a real high reach machine. The software features the demolition of low and high rise steel framed and concrete structures. The operator can select appropriate attachments during exercises that will also raise awareness of the structural elements encountered during demolition.

The NFDC says that operator training will begin from July 1 2013, with every training session being supported by the UK’s leading demolition plant CPCS testers. Dates will be announced by the National Demolition Training Group, who has secured funding from the Employers Ownership of Skills programme working with the CITB that will enable a 50% contribution to the training costs for a limited number of candidates.