TPT September 2021

AR T I C L E

Fronius International GmbH

Welder training field study of VR technology: simulators can help to improve the process By Philipp Schlor, product manager, Virtual Welding, Fronius International GmbH, UK

No noise, no smoke, no heat, no material input – Fronius Virtual Welding offers a totally safe and sustainable framework for training new welders. Similar to a flight simulator, 3D glasses and high quality graphics enable a realistic welding experience. The result is high-quality welder training that also saves on costs.

Comprehensive training concept: theory and practice

With Virtual Welding, Fronius has developed a sophisticated training concept for providing theoretical knowledge about MIG/MAG, TIG, MMA welding and more, with a testing system to assess learning progress. A ranking list also encourages trainees to enter into some friendly competition with one another. The practical welding tasks in the Fronius Virtual Welding curriculum are based on training by the International Institute of Welding and therefore meet the international standard for training welders. Ghost: the trainer always at your side To master their manual skills, trainees first practise with a virtual instructor known as the Ghost. Step by step, it shows the right welding speed, distance and tilt angle of the welding

Virtual Welding combines state-of-the-art consumer electronics technology with welder training

Fronius uses 3D glasses that feature a particularly high resolution and level of sharpness

torch relative to the workpiece, giving the trainee immediate feedback. The task gradually increases in difficulty until finally welding is completed without the Ghost in a realistic simulation. The Virtual Welding system records the welding operations, making it possible to play them back at a later date and analyse them together with a real trainer. This combination of guided practical exercises and theoretical units enables trainees to complete much of their training independently using the welding simulator. They acquire basic knowledge and fundamental manual skills before moving on to the real welding system. This enables training centres to improve the quality of their training while also reducing costs.

Hannes Krempl, welding technology and transport trainer at the Fohnsdorf Training Centre

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SEPTEMBER 2021