Boosting Product Development and Operator Training to the Max Through Mevea Simulations
“We’ve been happy with the Mevea solutions. The serviceability has been excellent towards Normet and we have met the common targets and timelines in our project. By providing cutting-edge technologies and solutions for our customers, we can be competitive in our market sector”.
Harri Sonninen, Global Product Manager, Training Solutions & New Technology, Normet.
Normet has carved out a niche as an essential partner in the global mining and tunneling sectors since its establishment in 1962 in Finland. As an employer of nearly 2000 professionals and with a presence in 50 countries, including offices in 30 countries, Normet’s expansive reach underscores its pivotal role in shaping the future of underground operations.
The company provides a broad spectrum of high-performance equipment, services, and solutions across the entire process chain in the mining and tunneling industries. These include concrete spraying, underground logistics, explosive charging, scaling, lifting, and installation works complemented by a suite of services such as digital services, consultancy, upgrades, spare parts, field service support and training solutions. The training solutions include the usage of extended and virtual reality and other leading-edge technologies.
Normet’s commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of its operations, from the design of their equipment to the delivery of services that reduce environmental impact while enhancing safety and productivity.
Accelerating R&D with Mevea’s Simulation Technologies
Initiated in 2021, the Scamec LC Thor scaler project extends Normet’s ongoing partnership with Mevea, which originally began in 2018. With over two decades of experience in delivering scalers, Normet brought deep industry knowledge to this venture. The collaboration utilized Mevea’s cutting-edge simulation technologies to tackle the challenges of developing a next-generation scaler.
Usually, equipment manufacturers have plenty of challenges ahead when engineering a new prototype for market needs. One key area of improvement for the new scaler was found out to be the scaling boom.
“Even though we were able to gather many good concepts and ideas, the challenge was how to truly compare the concepts in practice. The solution was to use Mevea modelling”, says Tatu-Matti Savolainen, Chief Engineer of the Product Line in Normet. He continues.
“We ranked the top boom concepts, created simple 3D models of them and then Mevea implemented the concepts into their Digital Twin model. This included joystick-controlled concepts in virtual mine environment, and usage of VR goggles made it all very immersive. This allowed us to get the feel of each concept and to conduct various test drives. Most importantly, we were able to take the concepts to customers and let their operators test and try them, receiving feedback in the process”.
This ended up being an extremely effective way to make difficult design decisions, which were later proven as the right choices when the first units were delivered to customers.
By utilizing Mevea’s Digital Twin solutions from the early stages of the project, Normet bypassed the traditional, resource-heavy process of physical prototyping. This strategic approach not only accelerated the development cycle by enabling quick and adaptable design iterations but also allowed for real-time enhancements based on simulated performance data. This efficient use of digital twins significantly reduced time to market and improved the scaler’s design, reflecting a deep integration of operational feedback and technical requirements.
The Scamec LC Thor: Setting New Industry Standards
The result from the cooperation was an ultimate scaling machine, which emerges as a peak of innovation and performance. Scamec LC Thor was crafted with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, meeting the latest emission standards without compromising on power or efficiency.
The new scaling boom, a critical feature refined through simulation, offers unprecedented accuracy, maneuverability, and visibility, which substantially improves operational safety and efficiency.
The feedback loop from simulation to final product ensured that the Scamec LC Thor was responsive to the real-world needs of operators, making it not just a machine, but a comprehensive scaling solution.
From Real-Time R&D to Immersive Operator Training and Beyond
Normet’s proactive approach to the product life cycle also extends into operator training, where Mevea’s simulators play a crucial role. By integrating Mevea’s realistic simulators into the training process, Normet ensures that operators can safely master the Scamec LC Thor before it even reaches the job site.
“This was a natural evolution that we used the digital twin solutions in our training simulators and customer services as well”, says Harri Sonninen, Global Product Manager, Training Solutions & New Technology from Normet.
“By Normet simulator solutions, along with the Mevea products, we were able to find the best possible solutions around these topics. Our customers will be absolutely more profitable”, he adds.
Mevea’s highly advanced training simulators drastically reduce the learning curve and operational downtime, while also emphasizing safety and productivity. The immersive training environment replicates actual mining conditions, allowing operators to experience and respond to potential scenarios without the risks associated with real-world training.
The Conclusions
The collaboration between Normet and Mevea not only addresses current needs but also sets the stage for future advancements in the mining and tunneling sectors.
Normet recognizes the substantial contributions of Mevea’s simulation technology in reducing development timelines, enhancing product functionality, and ensuring operator safety.
“We’ve been happy with the Mevea solutions. The serviceability has been excellent towards Normet and we have met the common targets and timelines in our project. By providing cutting-edge technologies and solutions for our customers, we can be competitive in our market sector”, Mr. Sonninen commends.
As the industry continues to evolve towards more sustainable and efficient practices, partnerships like that between Normet and Mevea will become increasingly crucial.
More information about the Normet’s Scamec LC Thor scaler at Normet’s website.
