CM Labs Simulations, developer of Vortex training simulators, has entered into a partnership agreement with leading forestry equipment manufacturer Tigercat Industries. Under this agreement, CM Labs will develop and supply Tigercat with a series of state-of-the-art simulators that replicate the functionality and behaviour of the 20-tonne Tigercat 1075C log forwarder and the Tigercat 1165 mid-sized wheel harvester.
The forwarder is designed for demanding, high-production cut-to-length applications, while the Tigercat 1165 mid-sized wheel harvester is used for selective cut and final fell harvesting operations. Using simulators for training on these complex vehicles ensures risk-free, safe training for operators and decreases training time and costs, freeing up actual equipment for its work on the jobsite.
"We are excited about this project because we’ve been able to integrate the PLCs of the forwarder and the harvester into our simulators," said CM Labs Product Manager Julien Lanciault-Richer. "This is because Vortex enables the machine controllers to talk to our software."
One of the advantages of the machine controls on the simulator being identical to the actual equipment controls is that the operator will be completely at ease once he transitions from training.
"This increases key learnings for the operator—and is safer from an operations perspective," added Lanciault-Richer. In addition, both dealers and operators can be trained on new technology or functions available on their equipment.
CM Labs will deliver a series of simulators to Tigercat, powered by smart training technology. Each will have three screens and a motion platform.
The partnership between CM Labs and Tigercat also involves co-marketing activities where the two companies will promote the use of simulators for safe and effective training and explore innovation in simulation for the forestry industry.
Tigercat Industries designs and manufactures premium quality forestry and off-road equipment.
