Product Press Release
Handling Specialty Bridges the Gap to Research Simulator
 |
|
PHOTO CREDIT: Ford Motor Company Photographic |
The VIRTTEX Lab houses a virtual reality six axis simulator that replicates various driving conditions. Drivers are seated inside the simulator, within a vehicle that has had the engine removed, and subjected to various projected stimuli as they “drive”. The simulation is used to test new vehicle options and to observe the interaction between the test participant and the vehicle under certain driving conditions.
As part of the preparations for each experiment, a vehicle is loaded into the simulator via a custom hydraulic lift. The 12,000 lb. capacity lift was specially built to interface with loading dock doors on one side and the simulator on the other with less than ¼” deflection from side to side. Platform retainers are used to counteract roll-over loading. After load-in, the lift collapses to 20” in height to allow clearance for the movement of the simulator.
When all preparations are completed, participants from the general public are ushered into the simulator via the custom bridge lift supplied by Handling Specialty. Called a pedestrian bridge, this 1,000 lb. capacity lift is essentially a collapsible covered walkway for people to travel from the main floor into the simulator. The cover on the walkway was an important design option as it obscures the simulator from the test subjects’ view to help maintain the overall illusion of reality. The walls on either side of the lift were created via fabric on a roller retraction device.Once the driver is safely inside the simulator, the bridge, pop-up handrail system, walls, and translucent roof completely collapse, lowering almost 8’ to ensure that the simulator has the space needed for its full range of motion. A failsafe lockout system (supplied by others) on the doors leading to the lift are used to ensure that the lift cannot collapse with people onboard. When the lift collapses into the 1’ deep pit, the lift extends above floor level only 2’ 4” to provide clearance for the motion of the simulator.
The hydraulic lift was engineered and manufactured to meet a variety of exacting project and safety specifications. To provide a safe, continuous walkway, the unit interfaces with both the building’s doorway and the simulator to within a ¼” tolerance. For the same reason, vertical lifting repeatability is to within 1/8” of the desired height. Lift deflection was limited to L/800 to ensure stability and to avoid collision of the lift with the simulator. The hydraulic power unit for the lift was also specially designed to allow a rapid rate of vertical travel in case operators and/or test subjects need to quickly exit the simulator.
According to lab personnel, over 1,000 test subjects have safely used the pedestrian bridge lift by Handling Specialty since installation in the summer of 2000.
About Handling Specialty
A niche supplier of custom lifting equipment, Handling Specialty provides engineered-to-order lift solutions to many prominent companies in the automotive, aerospace, entertainment, metals, and rail industries. Incorporated in 1963, Handling Specialty Manufacturing Ltd. is a privately-owned company headquartered in Grimsby, Ontario. A second manufacturing facility, Handling Specialty Inc., is located in Niagara Falls, NY. For more information about Handling Specialty, please visit www.handling.com.
-End-
For further information contact:
Kelly Chadwick, x244
Marketing Manager
kchadwick@handling.com
1-800-559-8366
