SIMULATION TECHNOLOGIES IN TRAINING OF ENGINEERING PERSONNEL FOR THE FOOD MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Efficiency of food production and quality of the manufactured food products are determined by perfection of the technological system consisting of the functionally interrelated technological tools (equipment with the controlling and regulating systems), items of manufacturing (raw materials and semi-finished products) and performers of implementation of the pre-set technological processes in accordance with the stipulated technology. When the technological system functions there may occur some failures associated with the influence of unregulated factors, which are connected with 1) the condition of equipment, 2) process control and regulation devices, 3) errors of the operating personnel when making managing actions, controlling the processes and maintaining equipment. It was established in the course of research activities that a number of failures in the result of unauthorised actions and errors of personnel can amount up to 19% of their total number. The problem of minimization of errors in the actions of the operating personnel can be resolved by implementation of new methods of training, allowing mastering the professional competencies in the best way. Application of the simulation methods of training on the basis of VR (virtual reality) technologies seems promising here. Virtual simulators allow forming in the course of training of specialists the behaviour patterns and practising skills by modelling a situation and reproducing virtual circumstances which are maximum close to the actual ones. The trainees obtain practical working skills and experience. The purposes of the study are implementation of efficient methods of training of future specialists, improvement of practical orientation of the educational programmes, mastering of practical working skills in the course of training, and implementation of objective methods of evaluation of knowledge and mastering of practical skills by the trainees. The simulator is created for acquisition of skills of the work on the technological line for manufacturing of loafs (baking industry), comprising of equipment for performance of the following processes: preparation and dosing of the prescription components, preparation of dough, dough handling and forming of dough products, proofing of dough products, baking of products. The following results of research of the manufacturing line are taken as a basis to create the software product: analysis of possible failures in the course of technologic processes, information about the causes of deviation from the process parameters, possible scenarios, recommendations on correction of the technological process. The created simulator is one of the first software and hardware products developed for simulation training of engineering personnel and upgrading the qualification of the workers of the food manufacturing industry enterprises based on VR technologies. The developed virtual simulator allows familiarizing the trainee with the appearance, arrangement and modes of operation of the technologic line for manufacturing of loafs; forming stable professional skills of performance of preparatory (final) works and adjustment of the modes of operation of the manufacturing line equipment.