Mündersbach, 27th September 2011

Virtual trainer from EWM makes learning easier

New options for training and to test new manufacturing methods

With its virtual welding trainer, the largest German manufacturer of welding equipment, EWM, is presenting a completely new approach for both the basic and advanced training of welders. With this, trainees learn from a realistic display, what the ideal welding speed is and what the distance to workpiece, the setting angle, and welding direction should be. They control the simulation holding a special torch, which is just like real welding. "The learning efficiency is significantly higher," emphasises Michael Szczesny, Managing Director at EWM Hightec Welding, who is responsible for technological development there. "Virtual training allows the trainees to learn the correct movements and the proper use of the torch twice as fast."

With this new technology, the innovation leader in the sector is not just breaking new ground in basic and advanced training, but also in refreshing and enhancing welding knowledge and in training for particularly complex welding tasks. The virtual welding trainer is even extremely helpful for the testing of manufacturing methods as it replaces time-consuming and costly welding experiments and reduces possible waste. "If delicate workpieces are concerned or if only a single piece is available," explained Szczesny, "then you can first get used to the proper approach to take." This innovative training fundamentally reduces the consumption of basic materials by up to 35 percent, helping to protect the environment and reduce the use of resources. It also offers a safe way to learn with no risk of injury.

The virtual trainer from EWM allows all sorts of arc welding processes – MIG/MAG, TIG and MMA to be practised and skills to be improved. The torch is used to intuitively control the system and to navigate the menus. Accessories, such as a special helmet or workpieces, are not necessary with this EWM solution. The system can be individually configured for different training objectives. The selection of the welding process, the seam type, position, layer as well as welding direction and speed, not to mention a selectable tolerance range, all make it possible to produce a welding task which is just right for the user.

The virtual welding trainer thus allows a training plan to be set up, customised for the user with differing training goals, while taking account of the latest standards and guidelines. Operating in a free mode, all of the learning sections necessary for welding can be intensively practised. Thanks to realistic arc sounds and visual aids, errors can immediately be corrected. A test mode supports exercises without visual aids so as to check and reinforce that which has been learned so far. All of the saved results are available later on for evaluation.

EWM is offering the new training system so that it can flexibly be extended, from a transportable single user version, through to a server-based training centre setup. "In future, basic and advanced training will take on a new dimension with this system," underlines EWM Managing Director Szczesny.

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