eNewsletters - CAT® SIMULATORS

4 10, 2022

Simformed September/October 2022

In This Issue

Georgia’s New High School Heavy Equipment Operator Construction Pathway. Best Cat Simulators UX Experience Infographic. Western Piedmont Community College Heavy Equipment Operator Program Continues to Grow and Attract Students. SimScholars™ Curriculum Now Available for All Cat Simulators Models.

Georgia’s New High School Heavy Equipment Operator Construction Training Pathway Program

SimScholars™ curriculum and Cat Simulators systems will both play a large role in Georgia’s new Heavy Equipment Operator Construction Training Pathway program. High school students will be able to earn seven or more industry recognized credentials that will help them as they pursue a career in the horizontal construction industry. Read more.

Contact us to set up your own state construction pathway program.

Best Cat® Simulators UX Experience Free Infographic

Download our free infographic to find out how you can get the best user experience with your Cat Simulators systems by integrating three different digital elements – SimU Campus™, Cat® Simulators Support and SimScholars™ – into your heavy equipment program.

Contact us to find out how you can integrate all three elements into your program.

Western Piedmont Community College Heavy Equipment Operator Program Continues to Grow and Attract Students

When Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) in Morganton, North Carolina, set up their Cat Simulators systems at its WPCC Construction Rodeo Trades Competition, they hoped to generate excitement about the construction industry with local high school students. And they did just that by giving more than 100 local high school students the opportunity to experience the simulators! Read more.

SimScholars™ Curriculum Now Available for Cat Simulators Models

Does your school or business need curriculum to help guide your instructors as they instruct your heavy equipment operator training? Our turnkey, customizable curriculums, SimScholars™, are now available for our construction, mining and forestry models! From beginning to end, the curriculums provide instructors and students with a course overview, exercise objectives, learning outcomes, lesson plans, step-by-step procedures, checklists/schedules, maps, student management tools, quizzes and pre-tests for as many students enrolled in your program as needed.

Contact an Account Manager for a demo.

28 07, 2022

Simformed July/August 2022

In This Issue

NEW! Cat® Simulators Backhoe Loader Training System, Wheel Loader Machine Safety Infographic, Making a Difference in Incarcerated Prisoners’ Lives One Training Program at a Time, In-Person Training

NEW! Cat® Simulators Backhoe Loader System

Set in a construction setting, the new Cat® Simulators Backhoe Loader system trains students and operators how to operate a Backhoe Loader (BHL) properly and efficiently. From conducting a pre-operation inspection to driving to lifting to trenching and much more, learners can now experience hands-on training with genuine Cat controls anytime, anywhere.

“The new Backhoe Loader simulator rounds out the family of construction models in the Cat Simulators line. It’s a versatile machine and our team has worked closely with the operator experts at Caterpillar to develop every exercise,” says Renee Gorrell, Vice President of Simformotion. Read more.

Contact an Account Manager for a demo today!

Free Infographic: 10 Tips for Wheel Loader Machine Safety

Wheel Loaders can be found moving and carrying materials on most construction and quarry job sites. Keeping others as well as themselves safe is one of the operator’s responsibilities. Download the free infographic and post it as a reminder of 10 tips every operator should remember whenever they are operating a Wheel Loader.

Contact us to find out how heavy equipment simulators can train operators and prevent possible injury to operators, job site personnel and equipment.

Making a Difference in Incarcerated Prisoners’ Lives One Training Program at a Time

To help reduce recidivism and provide employment opportunities for women inmates after their release, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections recently expanded its reentry program to include a women’s heavy equipment operator (HEO) training program complete with two Cat® Simulators systems. Read more.

In-Person Training from a Cat Simulators Operator Specialist

If your company or organization needs to increase productivity or teach your operators specific machine applications, our Cat® Simulators operator specialists can help! We’ll bring our convertible simulator units, complete with authentic Cat® controls, directly to you so your operators can cross-train on multiple machines and learn step-by-step techniques found on real-world worksites. Cat Simulators systems are developed with Cat expert operators and licensed by Caterpillar.

With a training specialist, learners can:

Improve operator performance that improves production.
Build operator skills with authentic Cat controls.
Experience machine exercises in a safe environment.
Learn specific safe operating procedures; break bad habits.
Train anytime day or night, regardless of weather conditions.
Cross-train on multiple machines.

Contact us to schedule an operator training specialist at your location. Call 1.309.266.2640 or send us a message.

31 05, 2022

Simformed May/June 2022

In This Issue

Virtual Group Excavator Training, Construction Safety Program Infographic, In-Person Training, Reduce Employee Turnover, VR Headset Reset Steps.

Free Online Training

Join us for a free 1-hour livestream training class on June 15^th. The class will focus on Cat® Simulators Hydraulic Excavator and Advanced Construction Excavator, featuring instruction on two key machine applications by our operator training specialists. During training, you will find out how realistic simulators with authentic Cat® controls make transitioning to the iron faster and easier for learners.

Cat® Simulators are developed with Cat expert operators and engineered to the same specs as the real machines, making the transition from simulator training to a real machine seamless. Our trainers have operated multiple types of heavy equipment over their careers and can explain how to get the most out of your Cat® Simulators systems as you teach others how to operate machinery properly and efficiently. Find out how to train operators effectively to increase production and reduce maintenance issues, all in the safety of the virtual environment.

Date: June 15^th. Choose either 9:00-10:00am CST or 2:00-3:00pm CST. Sign up today!

Free infographic: How to Create a Construction Safety Program

A safety program should be part of every construction operation. June is National Safety Month and a great time to get a program started. Recognize the importance of safety in your organization and make a plan for workers. Download our free infographic with 10 tips to get you started in designing your safety program.

New! In-Person Training from a Cat Simulators Operator Specialist

Need to increase your operation’s productivity or teach your operators specific machine applications? Maybe you want to assess new hires? Let Cat Simulators operator specialists help you meet your machine training needs and goals. We will come to your location! Our operator training specialist brings training to your site with your choice of simulators.

Convertible simulator units with authentic Cat® controls allow your operators to be trained on multiple machines. Cat Simulators systems are licensed by Caterpillar and developed with Cat expert operators. Each system features step-by-step techniques found on real-world work sites. Our training specialists take it a step further and show operators (new or experienced) how to get better production from machines while operating safely.

With a training specialist, learners can:

Improve operator performance that improves production.
Build operator skills with authentic Cat controls.
Experience machine exercises in a safe environment.
Learn specific safe operating procedures; break bad habits.
Train anytime day or night, regardless of weather conditions.
Cross-train on multiple machines.

Organizations benefit from using Cat Simulators and keeping real machines in production during training:

Incurring no fuel costs.
Incurring no engine-use hours.
Leaving actual machinery open for billable and production work.
Tracking learner training performance through built-in testing.
Previewing motor skills use.

Contact us to schedule an operator training specialist at your location. Call 1.309.266.2640 or send us a message.

Reduce Employee Turnover with Training

Most companies have experienced employee turnover in some capacity over the last year. Did you know job training and development can increase employee job satisfaction? Read more.

Do You Need a VR Headset Reset?

On Friday, May 13, there was a manufacturer reset to all devices (VR headsets). If you have had any connectivity issues after the reset, please follow these steps.

Oculus Quest 2 Headset – Reset

To perform a factory reset of the headset:
- Turn off the Oculus headset.
- Hold the power and volume (-) button on the headset down simultaneously until the boot screen loads on the headset.
- Use the volume buttons on the headset to highlight “Factory Reset” and press the power button.
- Use the volume buttons on your headset to highlight “Yes” and press the power button. (Pressing the power button will confirm the selection and factory reset the headset.)

Note: If the headset will not turn back on after the reset, hold the power button for 30 seconds.

Restarting and setting up the headset:
- There will be a prompt to do an Initial Setup.
  Note: The wifi must be connected for this reset.
- Download the Oculus mobile app onto your phone and use the following credentials for set-up.
  - Facebook Login
    - Username: vrsetup@simformotion.com
    - Password: Test0128
  - The headset will restart on its own after the factory reset. When it turns on, it will have the initial setup screen requiring you to click the blue “Continue” box using the controller.
  - Select the desired language; select “Continue.”
  - Check clarity; select “Continue.”
  - Adjust the headset; select “Continue.”
  - Stay seated for setup; select “Continue.”
  - Connect to wifi; select “Done.”
  - There will be a welcome video that CANNOT be skipped.
  - Safety agreement; select “Continue.”
- The headset will go through a system update of approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
  - Pair your cell phone device to the Oculus headset using the Oculus mobile app. Enter the code on the screen.
  - Once the headset is paired with the account, it will ask you to set up a guardian (do this while sitting on the simulator if possible); “Continue.”
    - Confirm floor level by touching the footplate with the controller; “Continue.”
    - It will ask to “Define play area.” Select “Switch to stationary boundary;” select “Confirm.”
  - Reset the view; select “Continue.”
- The last step is “Device Setup Complete.”
  - Use the Oculus button on the right controller to select “Continue.”
  - There will be an information box about the stationary boundary; select “OK.”
  - Go to the home screen. The setup is complete. Hook the headset up to the simulator computer using the link cable.
  - When asked about Data, select “Deny Data.”
  - When asked about Oculus Link, select “Allow Oculus Link.”

Your headset should be set up and ready to use with your simulator. If you experience issues with this, please call our Support team to help with any issues. 1.309.266.2640 or 1.877.434.7467.

31 03, 2022

Simformed March/April 2022

In This Issue

Get Free Publicity. Expanding with Reseller Partnerships. Safe Dozer Operation. Busting Myths.

Free Publicity

We love seeing our clients in the news! We will do our part to promote your companies, training programs and schools in the news. Be sure to let us know when you receive press coverage with simulators. Whether it is on the local news or a website channel, we want to know so we can help spread the good work you are doing. Generate coverage at career fairs and hiring events or invite local dignitaries to show them how you are preparing your area workforce. Generate additional coverage by grabbing some pictures and/or video, share it on social and tag us @simformotion. It’s all newsworthy and the simulators provide a great visual. Send us a note and the link to media coverage so we can celebrate and share your success!

Reseller Partnerships

Simformotion™ is expanding its line of training products with some new partnerships. Find out more about these training products at: https://simformotion.com/products/. We will continue to expand our Cat Simulators line and our reseller partnerships. Watch for more announcements in upcoming issues of Simformed. Contact an Account Manager for demos of any of our product lines.

Safe Dozer Operation

Dozers can be found on almost every construction and mining worksite. Download our latest infographic that focuses on operating a Dozer safely. Post it in your training area or worksite break area and encourage continued discussion around safety. We share several tips to get the conversation started.

Carmeuse Busts Long-standing Production and Safety Myth

Find out how a 160-year-old company uses technology to train 1,000+ employees and how they busted the biggest myth about safety and production. You can, too! Read more.

1 02, 2022

Simformed January/February 2022

In This Issue

Coal Dozer Training. Mining is Essential Infographic. Ledcor’s Safety Culture. Train-the-Trainer Livestream.

Coal Dozer

Operating in a coal environment is dangerous work. Practicing in the safety of a virtual environment first can help avoid common errors and other mishaps on the real worksite. Learners can get a feel for the controls and experience pushing coal, stockpiling and more. It’s all in Cat® Simulators Mining Dozer with Coal.

Contact an Account Manager for a demo today!

Mining is Essential Infographic

Did you know that it takes thousands of pounds of minerals each year to support the needs of just one person? Think of how many people it takes to keep a mine operation running 24×7. Good training is the key to saving costs and reaching optimum production.

Download our free infographic and share with students or employees.

Ledcor Heavy Civil & Mining

Safety and training are embedded in the culture of Ledcor U.S. Heavy Civil and Mining. Every employee goes through rigorous training, including time spent on Cat® Simulators and safety training. Read more.

Virtual & Refresher Training

Want to get the most out of your simulators? Need a refresher on the records management and metrics data used to track learner progress on the simulators? We can help. No need to worry about travel, schedule a virtual training today. Our trainer specialists can show you how to best utilize your simulators and how training the right way can help increase production and lower costs—all via livestream.

Contact an Account Manager to schedule a training time.

30 11, 2021

Simformed November/December 2021

In This Issue

Safety Video Series. Accident Awareness. Hoopaugh Grading Company. The Cat® Difference.

Safety Minded

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Often safety comes down to awareness and training. Heavy equipment operation is no exception. Watch a video series on ways to prevent heavy equipment accidents. Download the free infographic. If you would like links or copies of the videos for your website, classroom or shop, contact us. We are more than happy share. Watch the first video in the series below. Watch the rest of the video series at this link: Safety Video Series.

Workplace Fatalities Infographic

Work-related injuries can happen in an instance. Download our free infographic and make a discussion out of it with employees and students. Hang it in your shop, breakroom or classroom as a reminder to be vigilant about safety.

Hoopaugh Grading Company

Hoopaugh Grading Company, LLC, (HGC), one of the largest general contractors in North and South Carolina, is seeing a vision of becoming a teaching company come to life with HGC Academy. Read more on how they are training and developing employees including heavy equipment operators.

Why Choose The Cat® Difference?

Have you discovered what sets Cat® Simulators apart from other simulators on the market? It’s the Catdifference. We use genuine Cat controls, not generic controls, or a single set of controls across models. Learners train on the same controls as found in the real machines. Cat Simulators machine applications are developed with Caterpillar expert operators. These are the same applications found on real-world worksites. Read more on our differences and see videos of how closely our simulators match Cat machines. Contact an Account Manager for a demo to experience the Cat® Difference. Watch one of the differentiator videos below. Watch the rest of the video series at this link: The Cat® Difference.

30 09, 2021

Simformed September/October 2021

In This Issue

Curriculum for Cat® Simulators construction models. Skill Builder system. Undercarriage management. Collins Career Technical Center. Motion system update.

Heavy Equipment Simulator Curriculum Available

Are you looking for a turnkey curriculum to go with Cat Simulator training? We have it in SimScholars™. All of the Cat Simulator construction models have online curriculum available. Get Instructor guides, schedules, lesson plans, quizzes, videos, tutorials and more. Curriculum covers as many students as needed and works to extend learning from hands-on simulation training. Great for schools that have or want to set up heavy equipment operator programs or businesses with in-house training programs that feature simulators. Contact an Account Manager for a demo.

Training with Cat Simulators Skill Builder

The new Cat Simulators Skill Builder line offers many options for heavy equipment training. The new product line begins with the Small Wheel Loader Skill Builder system featuring authentic Cat Controls. Training is set in a construction environment with objects and materials that the simulated machine can interact with such as pipes, dirt and a truck. The system also has an option for the VR Edition, to give users greater depth perception and a larger view of the environment.

Contact an Account Manager for a demo of Small Wheel Loader Skill Builder.

Extend the Life of an Undercarriage

The undercarriage is the most expensive part on a piece of heavy equipment. Operators can extend the life of an undercarriage by following some best practices. Download Cat Simulators free infographic for your shop or classroom as a reminder of what training can do to reduce unplanned maintenance costs.

Collins Career Technical Center (CCTC) Helps Heavy Equipment Operator Students Gain Confidence of Skills

Partnering with the IOUE, Collins Career Technical Center designed training for its heavy equipment operator program. With more than 22,000 operators needed over the next two years, the school is helping fulfill a huge demand. Read more about the program and its success: https://catsimulators.com/cctc-simulator-training/

Contact an Account Manager to set up a heavy equipment program at your school or business.

Motion System Software Update

To our Cat Simulators customers who purchased the motion system with their simulator(s) prior to 6/1/21, an update to the actuator software controls has been released by the manufacturer. Downloading and installing the update will help prevent future setting changes that could prevent the motion system from functioning correctly.

Please contact our Support dept. at 1.877.434.7467 (in US); 1.309.266.2640; or e-mail support@catsimulators.com for assistance in getting the update.

29 07, 2021

Simformed July/August 2021

In This Issue

Cat® Simulators Mobile Training Center. Portable Simulators. Free Infographic VR Training Benefits. Customer Showcase. See Us at MinExpo.

Cat® Simulators Mobile Training Center

Coming Soon! A Mobile Training Center that arrives at your location. Teach operators to increase production, assess new hires, or teach specific skills with Cat® Simulators trainer expertise. Simformotion™ offers a variety of Cat Simulators for the construction and mining industry outfitted in a mobile unit. A training specialist is available to teach machine operation on-site.

Mobile training center is outfitted with two motion-enabled, full simulators on convertible bases, which allow conversion to additional simulator models for cross training.
Additional desk space will be provided for class learning.
Request a trainer to be on-site or use your own trainer.
Mobile training center will be delivered to your site location.

Contact an Account Manager for more information.

Compact Training

Is your school or organization in need of compact and portable heavy equipment operator training? Cat Simulators SimLite models travel easily in two pelican cases and can be set up in space-saving classroom stations. See the new SimLite Dozer.

Contact an Account Manager to see a demo of SimLite.

Discover the Benefits of VR

Download a free infographic to find out the benefits of VR. Learners can gain a deeper understanding of techniques and safety, plus achieve better knowledge retention and more.

Contact an Account Manager to see a demo of Cat® Simulators VR Edition.

C.W. Matthews Creates Blended Learning Program

C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Georgia, USA, created a blended learning program for its operators that integrates Cat® Simulators and SimScholars™ curriculum with on-the-iron training. See how this approach is getting operators trained safer, faster and more efficiently. Watch now:

See us at MinExpo!

Our team will be demoing Cat Simulators at MinExpo Sept. 13-15, located in the Caterpillar booth. Stop by for a demo any time and we’ll show you how heavy equipment operator training can help reduce costs, increase safety and improve production.

Connect with us before the show.

3 06, 2021

Simformed May/June 2021

In This Issue

Cat® Simulators SimLite Dozer. Free Infographic Work Death & Injuries. SimScholars Blended Learning. Heavy Equipment Program Reduces Recidivism. Visit the Cat® Simulators Showroom.

NEW! SimLite Dozer Compact Training with Genuine Cat Controls

Need compact, portable training? SimLite Dozer joined our Cat® Simulators product line this month. Set up socially distanced stations or send the heavy equipment simulator out in easily transported Pelican™ cases. Either way the benefit of training comes from genuine Cat controls and training exercises developed with Caterpillar expert operators. Add the online curriculum and you have a blended, end-to-end learning solution.

Contact an Account Manager for a demo of SimLite Dozer today!

Work Related Deaths & Injuries Facts

The cost of injuries and deaths in the workplace can be devastating to businesses. Training employees properly can help avoid accidents. An investment in training today, such as Cat Simulators, can pay for itself in the cost of a mishap, fine or worse, loss of life. Download our free infographic on the costs of death and injuries in the workplace.

Contact an Account Manager to discuss Cat Simulators safety.

SimScholars™ Blended Learning Curriculum

A blended learning program comes from hands-on simulation training and theoretical learning in a classroom (or these days, on an online platform). Simformotion offers a combination package with its Cat® Simulator models and complete curriculum. Get hands-on simulator training, plus SimScholars curriculum with instructor guides, lesson plans, learner guides, lessons, how-to videos, quizzes, tests and more. Train students or employees for accuracy, efficiency and safety on heavy equipment.

Contact an Account Manager for a demo of SimScholars curriculum or any of our training simulators.

Nevada Reduces Recidivism with Apprenticeship Readiness Program

When the Nevada Department of Corrections heavy equipment program began several years ago at High Desert State Prison, only those creating the vision and framework might have imagined the impact it would make. There is a waiting list to get into the Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Readiness program that features Cat® Simulators for several different heavy equipment models. Read how this program is changing lives and business in the state of Nevada: https://catsimulators.com/nevada-doc/

Contact an Account Manager to start a heavy equipment operator program at your area correctional facility.

Visit the Cat® Simulators Showroom and Simformotion™ LLC’s Headquarters

We invite you visit the Cat® Simulators showroom and Simformotion™ LLC’s headquarters in Peoria, Illinois, USA. We would love to show you our operation. See the entire line of Cat Simulators located at the Caterpillar Demonstration and Learning Center, then visit the headquarters of Simformotion and see where the software and hardware teams are located. Find out how the simulators are developed from the engineering stage to software to shipping them all over the world. See the Caterpillar Visitors Center and discover the history of the big machines, all the way to the inclusion of the simulators in operator training.

Contact us today to arrange a visit!

30 03, 2021

Simformed March/April 2021

In This Issue

Skill Builder Simulator Line. Accepting Bitcoin. Download a free infographic on Blind Spot Awareness. See Collins Career Center’s New Heavy Equipment Program.

New Cat® Simulators Skill Builder Line

We are constantly looking for ways to help our clients grow their operators and students. Once learners understand all of the foundational applications of any machine, it is time for them to master harder techniques, hone their skills to increase production, and become more aware of safety scenarios. Our new Skill Builder line will achieve all those initiatives and more! Our first package is available for the Small Wheel Loader. Contact an Account Manager to learn more.

Simformotion Now Accepting Bitcoin Payments

We are now adding the cryptocurrency Bitcoin (BTC) as a payment option for products and services. This is an especially attractive option for our global customers with no fees to exchange money.

Free Infographic! Blind Spot Awareness

Heavy equipment operators inside a cab often have restricted visibility or blind spots. A blind spot means the operator cannot see by direct line of site or by using mirrors.

“Struck by” accidents cause many injuries and accidents every year. Heavy equipment operators must learn and be aware of the blind spots in every machine they operate. Each machine has unique blind spots. Any operator that cannot see a person, vehicle or another object, runs the risk of an accident. Download and hang up our free infographic to remind students and operators that all heavy equipment has blind spots. Start your own awareness campaign today!

Collins Career Center’s New Heavy Equipment Program

The need for heavy equipment operators is being met with a new workforce development program at Collins Career Center, Ohio. They are building a pipeline of operators for projects throughout the south eastern states, USA. Watch a news video to find out more about the benefits they are discovering with Cat® Simulators.

Contact an Account Manager today to find out how to start your own program.

Windows Updates

We recommend that you do not accept any Windows updates on computers running Cat® Simulators software; or update an older operating system to Windows 10. Updates may interfere with the quality of the simulation experience.

Should you feel it is necessary to update the operating system, please contact Cat simulators Support by message or phone at 309.266.2640 before updating the computer. Our team will ensure you have the best possible outcome.

Cat Simulators software does not require Windows updates to run.