Online learning and training

The coronavirus makes us kick up another digital gear. For several years, HEIDENHAIN has had an online offer for technical schools to share knowledge. At last year's EMO, it added a new module for five-axis machines. Soon, lathes will also be covered. In addition, the company worked out a full range of virtual, interactive training courses for companies to replace in-house sessions. Finally, those who prefer to search for information themselves can browse the webinars, each of which deals with a subject in very practical terms. This way you can brush up on your knowledge in no time, even in corona times.

Knowledge transfer is becoming increasingly important, but also increasingly difficult as technology advances at a rapid pace. HEIDENHAIN is nevertheless trying to immerse young people in the latest capabilities of machine tools as early as school. HIT stands for HEIDENHAIN Interactive Training. It is the first building block of a larger package of virtual tools. "HIT actually summarizes the theoretical part, which we make available ready-made to technical schools and training centers. HEIDENHAIN has tried to make that as attractive and insightful as possible through supporting videos. For about two years now, these basic learning modules have also been available in Dutch. But new additions are constantly being worked on. Since the last EMO, for example, we have also been teaching them how to work with more complex, five-axis machines using the 3+2 module, because these are on the rise. And soon the module for turning will also be available in Dutch."

HIT stands for HEIDENHAIN Interactive Training. It is the first building block of a larger suite of virtual tools for technical schools and training bodies.

Interactive classroom

Theory, of course, is only one side of the coin. To master everything, young people also need practice. "That's why we set up an interactive learning environment, a virtual classroom as it were. The participant can log in from any device (tablet, PC, smartphone) and go through the modules independently and then ask questions about them in the classroom. They can also go through virtual exercises on a programming station; teachers monitor the students and their progress. This is all done on a digital twin of a real machine. We already have about 20 of them ready-to-use. So when they later enter the field, they are as familiar with how programming on it goes. Because that's the third part: the shop floor. Heidenhain's training partners (list available on the website) each have at least one machine with a control that corresponds to the learning environment familiar to the students. Schools and training organizations can then go there to effectively produce the workpiece."

The full range of online training modules can be found on HEIDENHAIN's website.

Virtual training courses

The younger generation is thus being prepared. But HEIDENHAIN also has a lot in store for those who are already in the field and want to brush up on their knowledge online. "From our location in Roosdaal, we have a strong tradition in training courses. Due to the coronavirus and the social distancing measures associated with it, this is no longer possible in the conventional way. Therefore, we and the team have converted it to an online variant. Those who wish can register to participate from a distance. The full program is on our website. We are using tools that we are familiar with from the offerings for students: an interactive environment with realistic programming stations." HEIDENHAIN, meanwhile, has also expanded its training center with cameras and screens to maximize interactivity.

HEIDENHAIN, meanwhile, has also expanded its training center with cameras and screens to maximize interactivity.

Towards more customization

Customers looking for more knowledge and training are also not left out in the cold at HEIDENHAIN. "In the past, that was always done on-site. Now we supplement that offering with online modules. All you have to do is register via the website, where the complete overview can be found. The focus of the training offer is clearly shifting from standard and general to modular in function of a certain challenge, evolution or problem. Customization is crucial to brush up knowledge in the right fields. This is why HEIDENHAIN also updates its webinar offerings on a monthly basis. Users can then immerse themselves in the topics that interest them at the time they want." Whether online will continue to be the norm after corona, that's anyone's guess for now. "We still see advantages of a combined offering of online and in-house training given the increasingly difficult mobility and the importance of ecology. That's why we remain committed to it."