ForgeFX Simulations is a proud simulation development partner of JLG Industries, an Oshkosh Corporation company, and the world’s largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of access equipment (aerial work platforms, telehandlers, scissor lifts and other access equipment). In addition to creating industry-leading equipment, JLG partners with their customers by providing cutting-edge training, which is unsurpassed in the industry. The huge success JLG has achieved also presents them with a challenge, how to provide training for such a large number of new operators. To meet this challenge JLG partnered with ForgeFX to develop AccessReady Fusion XR™, a virtual reality access equipment training simulator that allows trainees to learn proper operation, in a safe and risk-free virtual environment. This boom lift training simulator was the first piece of equipment to be simulated for this access equipment training simulator product, and its success led to the addition multiple machine types into the simulator.

JLG’s AccessReady Fusion XR™, developed by ForgeFX Simulations, is now available to customers nationwide. This cost-cutting networked multiplayer VR access equipment training simulator is a great example of a ground breaking training option available to all industries, allowing for safe, effective and cost-efficient training. AccessReady Fusion XR™ includes networked multiuser support, which allows multiple people to connect their simulators via the internet, and train together in a shared virtual environment. The network component allows simulators to connect to each other and trade data back and forth to create a virtual presence of each simulation station, creating a networked multiuser environment where simulation users can interact with each other and perform tasks together like they would in the real-world.

AccessReady Fusion XR is an advanced training tool that allows operators to safely work in challenging, real-world situations to develop their skills. This virtual reality training package brings the job site environment, access equipment and required skills together in an easy-to-use format. It’s a great option for rental companies and AccessReady trainers looking to give their trainees more hands-on training time. The JLG AccessReady Fusion XR™ access equipment training simulator helps operators to quickly, and safely, become comfortable and gain proficiency with nbsp; equipment controls, allowing them to be better, faster, and safer operators in the real world.

JLG is dedicated to helping their customers increase productivity and lower operating costs. Their 800 Series Telescoping Boom Lift takes you from the ground to 80 feet in less than 67 seconds, with a horizontal outreach of up to 75 feet. JLG’s telescoping boom lifts take you from the ground to full extension in just over a minute, with horizontal outreaches up to 80 feet. Achieving proper training is essential in order to correctly and safely operate aerial work platforms. JLG’s AccessReady Fusion XR™ delivers highly interactive and immersive virtual reality-based simulation training to help produce the highly-trained operators.

ForgeFX is proud to have developed this virtual reality training simulator for JLG Industries. The JLG equipment simulator provides VR-based training for operators of all skill levels, teaching everything from controls familiarization, to machine operation, to advanced spatial awareness challenges. ForgeFX Simulations produced a training simulator framework for JLG that is available across a collection of platforms and devices, including Virtual Reality, Windows, iPad, etc., allowing operators to easily access the comprehensive simulation-based training content wherever they are. AccessReady Fusion XR™, now available for purchase from JLG Industries, provides operators with a virtual reality-based training simulator, including everything from machine controls familiarization, to task-based scenarios for training on complex maneuvers, to a networked multi-user instructor-led modes.

Featuring 6 degrees of freedom VR, hand tracking, real-world controls integration, and networked multi-user cooperative training support, the simulator delivers an unparalleled immersive training experience. AccessReady Fusion XR is an advanced training tool that allows operators to safely work in challenging, real-world situations to develop their skills. Watch this collection of JLG-produced videos to learn more about JLG® AccessReady Fusion XR™ Virtual Reality Access Equipment Training Simulator.

Training Simulators Increase Productivity

At their facility in McConnellsburg, PA, JLG has created a testing and training facility that duplicates many aspects of a typical real-world job site. For example, uneven surface, mock buildings under construction, and a variety of loads to transport. To train on site with experts at the proving grounds is an invaluable experience. However, the real-world proving grounds can’t handle the volume, nor can everyone handle the expense of on-site travel and training. In the JLG Equipment Simulator, ForgeFX has created a true-to-life replica of the Proving Grounds, allowing an unlimited number of students to gain much of what is gained in the real-world experience.

The Simulated World Offers Options the Real World Cannot

The virtual training experience offers operators some things you can’t experience in the real-world. For example, within the simulation an operator can see an exterior, or bird’s eye view, of the effects of control manipulations as they are using the equipment. This allows trainees to not only learn how to operate the machine, but also to understand the spatial awareness challenges they’ll face when operating equipment in the real-world. As a novice user extends the boom arm he can switch to a dedicated virtual camera which shows how much room he has left, allowing him to gain a feel for the limits of what is possible.

Studying Boom Lift Operations

The first step that ForgeFX takes when embarking on an operator training simulation development project for any piece of equipment is to study that equipment in operation in the real-world. The ForgeFX team brings on site every type of media capture device imaginable: SLR still cameras, audio recording equipment, and video recording equipment. The capture process for boom lifts which can operate 185 feet in the air posed a unique challenge. To meet this challenge, ForgeFX used drone-mounted aerial cameras in order to closely observe the actions of veteran operators at altitude.

Capturing and studying exactly how booms work can be a challenge. For example, the 1850 can operate 185 feet in the air. For all of our clients, ForgeFX begins the project with an onsite visit where we record many hours of raw source footage. This footage is then edited and cataloged for use as a reference during the simulation development process. ForgeFX brings everything to bear to capture every aspect possible.

Operating a boom lift requires proficiency in the real-world. Operators are controlling and moving a platform which they are on. They may be facing away from their target location, and they have extension and other controls to adjust their aerial position. Getting a feel for this is not possible by reading about it. It requires hands-on experience. After using an actual boom lift, whether real or simulated, operators rapidly gain a feel for the machine. In particular, the proportional nature of the controls requires experience in order to master the delicate touch which is most effective. Novice operators will often treat proportional controls as all-or-nothing controllers. After using the training simulator, operators gain an understanding of the delayed effect of proportional controls, and learn not to “over steer”.

The JLG access equipment training simulator is a ground-breaking training tool that is often featured at industry conferences, expositions and trade shows. Listed below are a collection of recent simulator demonstrations and presentations.

Training for boom lift operation presented controls familiarization and spatial awareness challenges. ForgeFX met these challenges for JLG by developing the JLG Equipment Training Simulator allowing operators to learn and practice both safety and productivity in a virtual environment.  Meeting JLG’s special requirements for volume training, we did this in a way which is widely deployed across multiple options, including virtual reality, laptops, and tablets.