A student using the Virtual Reality Paint Training System.
A new system is helping students in BCIT’s automotive programs master the art of spray painting. The Virtual Reality Paint Training System allows students to practice proper techniques for spray painting and coating within a simulated 3D environment.
Mark Deroche, chief instructor in the BCIT Auto Collision department, says the system has a number of advantages over traditional learning methods. “As you can imagine, to teach someone the bio-mechanics of spray painting wastes a lot of paint until the student gets the ‘hang of it.’ I estimate it takes approximately 1-2 gallons of paint per student,” he says. “The virtual reality system saves paint, filters, clean-up solvents, heat in the spray booth, and VOC pollution into the atmosphere.”
These environmental benefits made the Virtual Reality Paint Training System an ideal candidate for acceptance under the BCIT Revolving Fund for Sustainability Initiatives, a program that provides seed funding for schools and departments within BCIT that wish to undertake energy reduction, greenhouse gas-emissions reduction, or other green initiatives. Funding is provided in the form of a no-interest loan that is to be repaid within five years by project-related reductions in utility consumption, waste removal, and/or operating costs.
BCIT Energy and Sustainability Manager Alexandre Hebert was excited to see the Virtual Reality Paint Training System installed just over a month ago—the first project using funding from the Revolving Fund to be installed. “This system will reduce BCIT’s carbon footprint through natural gas savings, reduce electricity consumption and VOC emissions, and result in safer, higher-quality training for the student,” says Alex.
And there are certainly other benefits. “I now can demonstrate, in front of all 16 students, a specific technique, travel speed distance, and other techniques,” says Mark. “The system has an evaluation mode to see if the area would appear dry or if there would be runs present—it provides instant feedback. The system allows the user to gage wasted product and adjust to minimize waste. I have noticed that by the time we started painting actual panels, the students’ techniques were far superior to any other class I have had in the past.”
And students definitely agree. “The students are lined up to use the system at break and at lunch,” says Mark. “They realize the benefit of being able to practice and improve their technique at will.”
The Revolving Fund is administered by the funding sub-committee of the BCIT Sustainability Committee. For more information on this and other BCIT sustainability initiatives, visit bcit.ca/sustainability.
