Austria: Liebherr Launches Maritime Crane Simulators

Liebherr has launched its range of maritime crane simulators. Based on original software and hardware, the Liebherr simulators increase safety and productivity by providing a cost-effective and highly professional crane operator training solution. In September, the simulator will be part of the Liebherr booth at the Offshore Europe in Aberdeen.

The development of this advanced training tool is driven by Liebherr’s extensive experience in highly immersive crane driver training. Approved by training experts, the range of simulated cranes includes offshore, ship to shore, rubber tyre gantry and mobile harbour cranes.

Focusing on safety, costs & efficiency

Successful maritime companies are continuously looking for efficient ways of up skilling their employees at the highest safety level while costs including time are kept to a minimum. With Liebherr Simulations (LiSIM®), Liebherr offers a sophisticated solution that ticks all the boxes, allowing trainees to significantly improve their skills in a realistic but safe virtual maritime environment.

Thanks to the virtual environment, damage to maritime equipment and injuries to personnel are eliminated. Because training does not interfere with day to day maritime operations and is relatively inexpensive, trainees can spend extended time in the virtual environment, learning how to instinctively react to unexpected situations. This naturally increases safety in real cargo handling.

A major benefit of simulator training is the ability to simulate harsh environmental conditions when required. This allows both experienced operators and trainees to gain valuable experience operating under challenging conditions in a safe environment. The resulting increase in operator skills allows for safe and productive crane operation under similar conditions in the real offshore world. For example, even though it may be a calm and sunny day, trainees can practise cargo handling in harsh weather conditions such as snowfall, heavy winds, torrential rain and high waves.

The sophisticated LiSIM® environmental and physics engine allows for an unprecedented level of detail and realism. Thanks to this non-destructive virtual environment, the operator has the opportunity to learn the operational boundaries of the crane without any consequences, gaining useful experience for highly professional crane operation.

Simulator based training avoids costly downtime caused by on-crane training and is recognised as a cost-saving and safety improving measure. The emission and fuel-free LiSIM® training solution is in line with an eco-friendly maritime operation. Moreover, delays in training caused by poor weather conditions are eliminated. Thanks to well-trained operators, simulators have the potential to significantly reduce accidents and increase availability.

Original software and hardware

The installation of original Liebherr drive systems, software and hardware guarantees a realistic training experience. The drive systems reproduce all crane movements exactly both in space and in real-time. LiSIM® is the only realistic virtual solution available in the market for learning the innovative and precise handling of Liebherr offshore cranes and their innovative features.

Trainees benefit from the ergonomically designed driver’s cabin and control panel. The motion platform ensures that the driver in a Liebherr simulator cabin experiences realistic movement which mimics precisely the response and feel of a crane mounted driver’s cabin and seat. Full High Definition flat screen monitors and high quality surround sound speakers reproduce the views and sounds typically experienced in the cabin.

Liebherr simulators are available in three configurations. The classroom solution is easily integrated into existing training centres with the display, seat and controls mounted on a base and a sturdy display frame. The space-saving cabin solution ensures that the driver becomes familiar with controlling the crane in a real life environment. The easy-to-transport containerised solution houses the simulator in a 40ft container and features a training room, a utility room and the simulator. Each of the three models is equipped with a multifunctional instructor station.

Comprehensive functionality

In view of the varied situations which occur during cargo handling, comprehensive functionality is indispensable when guaranteeing an authentic simulation. Each realistic LiSIM® scenario is set in a typical maritime environment where numerous parameters can be modified according to training requirements, including day-time or night-time operation, weather conditions, kind of cargo and vessel size. Additional parameters allow for the simulation of virtually any kind of cargo handling task. The implementation of customised environments and layouts is also possible.

The multifunctional instructor station has complete control over the simulation. Thus, the instructor has the possibility to create challenging and unexpected situations for the trainee at any time. This includes heavy wind or lift object faults for example. LiSIM® has database and performance metric functionality so it is possible to track the progress of the students over time.

Successfully pretested and now available

Liebherr’s training simulators have already proven their capabilities and worth in training centres and at various exhibitions. Now this state-of-the-art training solution is available for customers all over the world who want to improve efficiency in cargo handling combined with increased safety and reduced costs.

LiSIM® at the Offshore Europe in Aberdeen

The simulator will be part of the Liebherr booth at the SPE Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition 2013 in Aberdeen, UK, September 3rd-6th. Visitors of the Liebherr booth have the unique chance to operate the BOS 4200 in a safe virtual environment.

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Press release, July 10, 2013; Image: Liebherr