The new virtual-reality welding training solution from Sangari

The blue collar skills shortage in South Africa is estimated at around one million jobs. To meet this demand, training is essential, but the machinery needed is expensive. Providing theory and no practical training is insufficient.

To address this, a new widely-acclaimed welding simulator is now available in South Africa as a cost-effective alternative to traditional training and provides the same level of skills and with cost savings of at least 40%.

“The Soldamatic simulator, which won top honours at this year’s Worlddidac Awards for the most innovative educational product for 2014, requires no costly welding consumables and reduces training time by half,” says Bez Sangari, CEO Sangari South Africa, sole distributors of the product.

“No materials such as welding rods, steel plates or oxygen are needed and because the equipment has no gas emissions it is eco-friendly,” he says.

“In addition, it is a safe environment with no need for special clothing or ventilation. The welding can be done in any classroom. It is 100% safe, simply because it is a virtual welding environment.”

“The system is sophisticated in providing augmented-reality 3-D vision in a workshop environment. Payback for a large training institution is about 18-24 months. The quick payback period is achieved because no materials are used and there is no wastage,” Mr Sangari says.

The simulator consists of a hardware unit the size of a standard PC, with a built-in screen that allows the trainer to view the student’s progress in real-time, as well as it being recorded. The trainee wears the virtual-reality headgear which simulates a real welding environment.

The headgear generates realistic welding graphics such as the weld pool and beam. It emits simulated smoke and sparks and simulates heating of the affected area, all through the student’s headgear. It also simulates cracks, filler material, gravity and undercutting.

“Welding skills can be trained for specific applications and the student’s performance measured in a fair, reliable and unbiased manner. The unit includes 93 different training lessons and customised lessons can also be added,” says Mr Sangari.

Both the trainer and trainee are able to analyse and assess the welding performance in a video format afterwards and evaluate skills such as the welding velocity, stick out, travel and working angles. When required, maintenance and upgrades of the software can be done remotely.

The system supports SMAW, GTAW and GMAW processes and a variety of welding joints such as V-butt joint, Lap, T-joint, pipe to square butt joints and pipe T-joints and a variety of angle welding exercises.