vtec article.pdf

Votwne II, Issue 1

VTEC CustomerTraining Goes 3-D

by Jaynie Hogg

In May of 2000 Varco's Technical Education Center(VTEC) officially opened its new, 3D hands-on traininglab at the Houston facility. This lab is equipped with anumber of Varco International products from the d i f fer -ent divisions. The products include a V-IC1S chair, anautomatic roughneck (AR-3200). a semi-automatic fin-gerboard, a top drive with pipehandler and Varco driller'scontrol panel, a power slip (PS-21). and audio-video andcomputer equipment. This equipment, along with a PRSanimation, simulates Varco equipment operations on thedrilling floor.

Students attending training now can operate equip-ment using the V-ICIS or manual controls as if they areactually working the equipment on their rig. A computerresponds to the V-ICIS controls, displays the activity be-ing performed on a screen in front of the operator andinteracts with real equipment.

Kevin Gay. manager of Varco Systems Training inHouston stated. "We are intensifying the learning effectby stimulating three of the students' senses—physical,audio and visual—that will help to condition them to thecorrect operation of the equipment."

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Theater seating has been installed behind the V-ICISchair to accommodate larger classes. Students in theseseats can view the instruction of equipment use as wellas review and critique the actions of the current opera-tor.

As an added bonus, this room may be used to trainour own field service technicians. In the lab. field ser-vice technicians can better understand the equipmentthey repair by both operating and maintaining it.

Customers have visited the new simulation room,including Diamond Offshore and Reading & Bates Fal-con. Both said they had intended to create such a roombut have stopped the process because of Varco's com-mitment to the development of this Lab.

The new lab had its first successful use in mid-Feb-ruary with Mechanics and Electricians from the GlobalMarine 700 rig. While operating the simulator, studentslearned that errors in operation can be mistaken forequipment failure.

The 3D Lab was completed through the joint effortsof the Houston VTEC staff, the Houston facilities team,and personnel from all other Varco divisions. Kevin andhis group send many thanks to those involved in helpingbuild the lab.

Jim Benvie, a VTEC Instructor, demonstrateshis ability to operate drilling equipment usingthe V-ICIS chair.

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