PSSE has one of the most advanced VR welding simulators in the world
By Marek Grzybowski
– The VR welding simulator was created as part of the “Programming Center – Education for Industry 4.0” project. The simulator was designed by Flint Systems for the needs of equipping the Vocational Education Team for the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone – informed Dominika Bielecka-Kokot, head of the Team.
– Financial support was provided by the Velux Foundation – said Maciej Kazienko, vice-president of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone. The use of the simulator will allow us to save up to 50 kg of steel per month and a lot of energy used to train various types of welders – emphasized Maciej Kazienko.
The ceremony was attended by, among others: Piotr Kryszewski – vice-president of Gdańsk, Dawid Nieć – director of the Investment Development Department at the Ministry of Development and Technology, Grzegorz Kryger – Pomeranian education superintendent, Bogumiła Bieniasz – director of the Education Department of the Municipal Office in Gdańsk, representatives of Flint Systems , education representatives: principals, teachers of vocational subjects, students, career advisors, as well as representatives of institutions from the business and industry environment. The ceremony was led by Dominika Bielecka-Kokot – head of the Vocational Education Team, Zone Investment Department of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone.
– In my opinion, this is a very important event not only for the Pomeranian Zone, Gdaśka and for the education system in Poland in general – said Przemysław Sztandera – president of the management board of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone.
The first workshop we established in the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone was the Industrial Robot Programming Center. In 2018, we started teaching industrial robots programming to high school students, and we started organizing demonstration lessons for children from the first grade of primary schools to convince them to pursue technical education – said Przemysław Sztandera.
Later, a 3D printing studio was established. What you see here, these three workshops, are part of the project together with the Velux Foundation, which financed most of the expenses for the equipment that is here, as well as for building a prototype of the welding simulator – emphasizes Sztandera. PSSE also has an Industrial Robot Programming Center in Grudziądz, Włocławek, and will create further workshops in Inowrocław using its own funds and the funds of cooperating investors.
– The Ministry of Development and Technology – here I would like to convey greetings from Minister Krzysztof Hetman, as well as from Minister Waldemar Sługocki and from Minister Jacek Tomczak – supports this type of initiatives – said Dariusz Nieć – director of the Investment Development Department of the Ministry of Development and Technology.
The welding simulator workshop is very modern. We managed to do something really innovative. This simulator is unique in that it has many pieces of equipment used for real welding, said Grzegorz Szatkowski, vice president of Flint Systems.
The welding simulator using VR was designed exactly according to the needs and expectations of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone. This ensures realism in welder training.
– Virtual reality is a technology that is developing very quickly and has great potential when it comes to training and this type of solutions in every industry. Starting from industry to medicine, also other technologies, aviation – emphasizes Szatkowski.
Training is free of charge in the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone. So far, 2,800 students have been trained in 350 courses in the studios, said Dominika Bielecka-Kokot, head of the Vocational Education Team of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone.
Students and teachers of vocational schools are trained. Teachers have access to all laboratories and to all courses conducted here. There is a workshop for programming and operating industrial robots, a workshop for programming and operating 3D printing, and a welding workshop. We have such opportunities thanks to cooperation with the Velux Foundation – emphasizes Dominika Bielecka-Kokot.
