Students who want to work in the production sector of the automotive industry can submit their curriculum vitae to the Automotive Industry Development Centre’s (AIDC’s) Gauteng Automotive Learning Centre to participate in an augmented-reality welding programme.

Eight Soldamatic welding simulators have been introduced at the Rosslyn-based centre, in Pretoria.

The programme, which underwent its first draft test with participants of the Tshwane North College in the first week of February, will be in full use by the beginning of April. Students from registered technical vocational education and training colleges and higher education institutions will be able to enrol in an array of welding courses to upskill trainee welders without the high consumables and potentially dangerous training environment used in practical lessons.

“Previously, teaching trainees how to weld was quite difficult and expensive. With the welding simulator, we can cut on consumables costs, as we don’t need to supply the welding rods, steel plates, oxygen or any protective clothing – all these variables are now controlled by a push of a few buttons,” Gauteng Automotive Learning Centre technical training facilitator Herman Patrick tells Engineering News.

The Soldamatic welding simulator’s welding helmet produces a range of realistic welding graphics, such as the weld pool and beam, using two cameras mounted on the front. The simulation rod replicates a shrinking welding rod by gradually inching forward until a warning sounds, imitating a real-life welding experience.

“The simulator simulates sparks, smoke and heat through the headgear. It also shows cracks, filler material, gravity and undercutting. Trainers can then help the trainees adjust their welding position, the way they hold the clamp and angle the rod,” he explains.

Trainees will be able to practise more than 93 different welding lessons on the simulators.

Patrick adds that teaching is simplified, as the Soldamatic simulator displays the progress of the trainee on the screen of the system, enabling another trainee or the trainer to see whether the way in which the weld has to be done by the trainee has been grasped. The welding simulation can also be displayed on a projector, which helps to elaborate on the techniques, especially if the learner group is large.

“While the different welding tutorials might differ in duration, we can streamline training to insure that industry is supplied with experienced welders, which is a skill that is desperately needed . . . ” he states.

The programme supports shielded metal, gas tungsten and gas metal arc welding processes, as well as a variety of welding joints, such as V-butt, Lap, T-joint, pipe-to- square butt joints and pipe T-joints at a variety of angles.

Training Centre

The AIDC learning centre, which was opened in conjunction with Nissan South Africa in June 2014, has been constantly upgraded since its inception.

“The centre will accommodate about 1 000 learners a year for a variety of training programmes to address the current skills shortage and broaden students’ technical skills base,” says Gauteng Automotive Learning Centre operations manager Natalie Nelson.

Moreover, the centre is considering a spray-painting simulation and is completing its assembly line simulation which should be ready for presentation in April. The simulation courses, along with the other courses offered by the centre will provide trainees with a comprehensive, fully integrated qualification that is recognised by the industry, she points out.

Nelson believes that the centre will become globally recognised for its high standard of practical automotive maintenance training for the workforce, which has recently been subjected to strikes involving skilled employees.

“We provide sector skills that include mechatronics, autotronics, various general classroom and computer training, welding, spraypainting, vehicle aftermarket service and maintenance, providing the industry with a valuable and nurtured workforce,” she concludes.