The Pipe Metallurgical Company (TMK) has developed a VR simulator, with the help of which nondestructive testing specialists are trained and certified in manual quality control of pipe products and coatings using the ultrasonic thickness control method. Pilot testing of the virtual simulator took place at several TMK enterprises, the launch of the project is supervised by the TMK2U Corporate University, TMK++ and the TMK Accelerator.
The VR simulator integrates algorithms for the operation of six of the most commonly used thickness gauge models at TMK enterprises — ultrasonic devices that measure the thickness of finished pipe products. The simulator gives you the opportunity to select the desired tool and object of control. The software package includes three operating modes: training, testing and examination. Virtual reality glasses create working conditions as close as possible to production ones in order to practice the skills of proper equipment configuration and identify areas with insufficient wall thickness in pipes, bends and split tees.
The simulator was developed by a team of specialists from TMK's IT Department (TMK++), TMK2U Corporate University, and the Scientific and Technical Center (STC) TMK, TMK's quality unit, and a partner company, a graduate of TMK's corporate Accelerator. During the creation of the virtual simulator, the company's experts modeled a universal image of the production workshop, developed a technical specification and prescribed a scenario for its implementation. A distinctive feature of the simulator is the ability to make measurements into the system using voice, which is implemented for the first time in such equipment. Thanks to the universal training program, the simulator is ready for replication at all TMK enterprises.
"TMK is actively implementing digital and VR technologies in all areas of its business. The new simulator will reduce the preparation time for employees to work in real production, while maintaining the quality of training, effectively assessing their competencies and optimizing the certification process. Such solutions are especially important because the company employs young professionals who have grown up in a digital environment and are accustomed to interactive formats. We are developing training tools in such a way that they match their information perception model," said Elena Pozolotina, TMK's Deputy General Director for Personnel Management.
The new simulator will be the tenth simulator in the company for staff training. In particular, such a simulator is used to practice and confirm professional skills by pipe rolling workshops. TMK has developed a VR simulator for non-destructive testing training
