CM Labs Simulations, the developer of Vortex® simulators, has partnered with leading forestry equipment manufacturer Tigercat Industries, headquartered in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Under this agreement, CM Labs will develop and supply Tigercat with a series of state-of-the-art simulators that replicate the functionality and behavior of the Tigercat 1075C 20-ton forwarder and the Tigercat 1165 medium-sized wheeled harvester.
The forwarder is designed for demanding, high-capacity longitudinal cutting operations, and the Tigercat 1165 medium-sized wheeled harvester is used for thinning and clear-cutting. Using simulators for training on these complex vehicles provides safe and secure training for operators and reduces training time and costs by freeing up actual equipment to work on the jobsite.
“We are very excited about this project because we were able to integrate the PLC forwarder and harvester into our simulators,” said CM Labs product manager Julien Lanzo-Richet. “That’s because Vortex allows the machine controllers to interface with our software.”
One advantage of having the machine controls on the simulator being identical to those on the actual equipment is that the operator will feel completely at ease after transitioning from training. “This allows the operator to learn key knowledge and increase safety from an operational standpoint,” Lanciault-Richer added. In addition, both dealers and operators can be trained on new technology or features available on their equipment.
“We are very pleased with CM Labs’ offerings, particularly the fact that they can use our machine controls in simulators,” said John Cooper, Tigercat’s vice president of engineering. “The machine behavior was exactly what we were looking for, along with the company’s innovative technology and its clear knowledge of PLCs to adapt and develop as we move forward.
CM Labs will supply Tigercat with a series of simulators based on intelligent learning technology. Each will have three screens and a movable platform. “Our long-term vision is to work with CM Labs to support our training and sales and to complement our cross-cutting portfolio with other simulators,” Cooper added.
About CM Labs Simulations Inc.
CM Labs’ mission is to model the world to make operations safe and efficient by connecting people, processes and equipment design.
The company creates simulation-based solutions to help customers design state-of-the-art equipment and prepare for skilled operations. Through its Vortex Studio platform, CM Labs provides simulator capabilities, mission rehearsal, virtual prototyping and testing. CM Labs aims to be a leader in digital transformation, from machine design to training.
Customers include OETIO, IUOE, Kiewit, Liebherr, Mammoet, Manitowoc, NASA and over 100
other world-class companies, OEMs, equipment operators and professional training organizations.
About CM Labs Simulations Inc.
CM Labs’ mission is to model the world to make operations safe and efficient by connecting people, processes and equipment design.
The company creates simulation-based solutions to help customers design state-of-the-art equipment and prepare for skilled operations. Through its Vortex Studio platform, CM Labs provides simulator capabilities, mission rehearsal, virtual prototyping and testing. CM Labs aims to be a leader in digital transformation, from machine design to training.
Customers include OETIO, IUOE, Kiewit, Liebherr, Mammoet, Manitowoc, NASA and over 100
other world-class companies, OEMs, equipment operators and professional training organizations.
Vortex® is a registered trademark of CM Labs Simulations.
About Tigercat
Tigercat Industries designs and manufactures high-quality logging and off-road equipment with manufacturing facilities in Canada and worldwide distribution. The diverse product line includes complete logging and cross-cutting systems, a growing line of land clearing and vegetation maintenance equipment, and specialized off-road industrial equipment and material handling equipment.