Vortex Edge Plus Makes Heavy Equipment Training Accessible Everywhere

May 11, 2021 — CM Labs Simulations, developer of Vortex training simulators, has unveiled the next generation of portable, desktop simulation.

Thanks to its light weight, the new Vortex Edge Plus can be transported easily in carrying cases and set up in minutes. That makes it ideal for classroom or on-the-go training.

The Vortex Edge Plus runs CM Labs’ full fleet of lifting, earthmoving, and forestry equipment training packs, including the Luffing Tower Crane, Flat-top Tower Crane, Mobile Crane, Crawler Crane, Excavator, Backhoe, Dozer, Wheel Loader, Motor Grader, Forwarder, and Harvester.

Its ease of transport makes the Vortex Edge Plus an optimal hands-on tool for attracting talent at job fairs and career development events. It can also be used to quickly assess the skill level of new operators. Hardware includes a laptop, monitor, industrial-grade joysticks and pedals, as well as a steering wheel to support specific earthmoving equipment.

"This really is the latest technology of simple, portable, accessible simulation training," said Julien Richer-Lanciault, CM Labs’ Construction and Forestry Product Manager. "With the construction industry doing absolutely everything it can to eliminate barriers to training, this is an ideal solution to getting the next generation of skilled labor exposed to the challenges and rewards of a construction career."

The Vortex Edge Plus runs on the same engineering-grade software that powers CM Labs’ fully immersive Vortex Advantage simulators, used by training schools and fleet owners internationally. All simulated machine components behave as they do in the real world, whether operators are catching a swing, digging a trench, or delimbing a tree.

In addition, the Vortex Edge Plus can be paired with an optional Instructor Operating Station (IOS) for instructor-led training. With the IOS, instructors can control the training from their seat. They can do everything from launching exercises and manipulating the weather, to injecting machine faults, providing hand signals, and customize scores and generating reports. The Vortex Edge Plus can also connect to other Vortex simulators, for collaborative crew training. It complements classroom theory by simply making learning more engaging and efficient.

The Vortex Edge Plus, along with the motion platform-enabled Vortex Edge Max, make up CM Labs’ Edge series of award-winning training products. The affordability of the Edge series expands professional-grade simulation to contractors and training organizations that did not previously have access to these capabilities - providing solutions that help bridge the skills gap.