Yorkshire glass manufacturer powers staff training with VR tech

South Yorkshire glass manufacturer Beatson Clark has partnered with virtual reality company VRMT to more effectively train staff to operate complex machinery.

The two firms have been working together to develop a new system that gives Beatson Clark employees a detailed insight into the glass-making process.

The training program’s digital 3D digital model of the factory allows new machine operators to learn about the bottle forming process and identify faults.

Trevor Phillips, production and engineering director at Beatson Clark, said: “We have been working closely with VRMT for several months to develop the program, which is the first of its kind to be used by a glass manufacturer anywhere in the world.

“Trying to learn the glass forming process from a book, or even on the shop floor, is difficult because the trainee cannot see exactly what is happening, so it takes quite a while to grasp.”

What staff can see when they don the VR headset

He continued: “Because the virtual machine is highly visual the trainee becomes immersed in the program –rather like when you’re engrossed in a good movie – and it becomes easier to recall what has happened.

“Currently the VR program is training machine operators, but in future we can also use it to provide detailed refresher training for existing staff.”

VRMT’s Tony Pawinski commented: “Trevor showed great vision in the early days and immediately saw the future potential of VR for revolutionising IS training, not just for machine operators new and old but also for a whole raft of personnel who are indirectly involved with the production of glass containers.

“I would like to thank Trevor and Beatson Clark for their support and wish them all the best.”

Beatson Clark plans to demonstrate the VR software next month at the BrauBeviale trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany.

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