Emerson Announces New Mimic Field 3D
American industry giant Emerson recently announced the development of Mimic™ Field 3D technology.
The investment in immersive simulation technologies is a response to industry-wide shifts in labor and training infrastructure.
Emerson’s investment in VR technologies are indicative of a changing market as trends anticipate continued vacancies in the skilled labor force. With the much of current job force heading towards retirement and not enough oncoming trade workers to fill the gap, technology companies such as Emerson are tasked with developing innovative solutions to compensate for talent shortage.
What is Mimic Field 3D Software?
Mimic Field 3D software is designed to accommodate users familiar with process automation, opening the usability and target demographic beyond simulation experts.
Mimic Field 3D is a unique training model that offers a highly customizable approach to the virtual design process; according to Emerson’s product description, it “provides an interactive, virtual 3D environment of your facility.” The training enables users to experience a field immersive environment, allowing operations strategies and safety modules to be developed before a plant is even built. The VR-based technology is part of Emerson’s Digital Twins portfolio.
Digital plant imaging via Emerson. Image used courtesy of Emerson.
New Mimic Field 3D with CAD Features
A noteworthy feature of Mimic Field 3D is based in its ability to leverage already existing CAD figurations to formulate a digital twin of a worksite.
In addition to utilizing CAD frameworks, the technology has the capacity to draw from laser scans or photographic surveys of a facility to develop an application. Digital twins are additionally enhanced by the wide range of detailed color and texture offered through the software.
The two most notable components of the new Mimic technology are the Module Editor and Run-Time Client. The Module Editor supplements engineering functionality and configuration of pre-existing 3D simulations to create personalized and up to date training and maintenance scenarios.
In addition, the Run-Time client provides run-time functionality for individual workstations; the 3D simulation may be viewed not only through VR, but large screens, touch-enabled tablets, and stereoscopic displays. Moreover, the software boasts automatic integration with DeltaV and other offline control systems.
Digitalizing the Industrial Plant Process
Mimic 3D both optimizes the relationship between the user and VR simulation, as well as further digitizes the industrial plant process. There are a myriad of benefits to adopting immersive technologies within power plant development; most importantly, it provides hands-on, comprehensive safety training to onboarding workers.
The Mimic technology minimizes the risk of potentially dangerous, costly, or hostile environments that often coexist with workplace training. By training operators before plant construction, efficient production may start earlier and be more cost and time-effective. In addition, the training aid in creating synchronicity between all roles in the plant.
By engaging in a virtual training before a plant is even built, control room staff, field operators, and engineers will have been collaboratively briefed on the same customizable list of scenarios and procedures.
Back in September, Emerson announced a $650 million investment in a new digital transformation business aimed at “helping manufacturers and processors develop and implement their digital transformation vision and achieve industry-leading, or top quartile, performance.”
Where do you see this software being used?
