MMT Chats: Virtual Reality Transforms Plastics Training

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In this MMT Chat I sit down with Torsten Kruse of Kruse Training and Karl Anderson, Director of Plastics Engineering at Central Community College, to explore how virtual reality is changing technical education.

The plastics industry faces two challenges: a worker shortage and training limitations. Kruse's VR software creates an immersive learning environment that particularly resonates with younger generations.

"With a new group of people coming up, you've got to have these technologies because that's what young people are looking for," Kruse emphasizes. His company recently achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its VR training application in the Meta Store.

Anderson described how Central Community College implements this technology: "I'll take students into the lab, help them go through it and have them try out features like the exploded mold." The interactive nature transforms traditional learning from passive 2D experiences into engaging, 3D explorations.

Future enhancements will take this technology even further. Kruse reveals plans for interactive assembly exercises where students can practice building molds virtually before touching physical components. "You teach them first in virtual reality how it works together, how to put it together and then let them loose to do it in real life," he explains.

The team is also developing flow visualizations to help students understand material and cooling dynamics within molds, along with simpler model options for beginners.

For rural institutions like Central Community College, this technology creates hybrid learning opportunities, potentially expanding their reach through remote e-learning paired with scheduled hands-on lab sessions.

As the industry continues struggling with workforce challenges, these immersive training tools offer promising solutions for engaging and effectively preparing the next generation of plastics professionals.