CM Labs as mentioned in Dig Different:
The second day of The Utility Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, belonged to the drillers.
From the roar of live demos on the outdoor lots to the buzz of hands-on simulations indoors, horizontal directional drilling took center stage, drawing crowds of contractors eager to see what’s new.
Across the massive showgrounds, manufacturers Vermeer, Ditch Witch, Universal, and TT Technologies rolled out their latest and most powerful HDD machines, showcasing the performance, precision and innovations that continue to drive the underground utility market forward. For many attendees, it was an opportunity not just to look — but to get behind the controls and feel the machines in action.
While the outdoor lots hummed with diesel engines and drilling fluid, at least one indoor exhibit offered a quieter — but equally impressive — glimpse at the future of HDD training. CM Labs drew steady crowds with its HDD simulator, designed to help contractors develop safer, more skilled operators while reducing training costs and downtime.
Using realistic feedback, immersive visuals, and true-to-life machine behavior, the simulator allows trainees to experience the dynamics of steering, thrust, and pullback without setting foot on an active job site. Instructors can monitor performance metrics and guide operators through scenarios that replicate real-world challenges — from difficult soil conditions to tight utility crossings.
For contractors trying to onboard new talent quickly, tools like the simulator could play a major role in bridging the skills gap.
Read the full article featuring all the horizontal directional drill highlights from The Utility Expo 2025 in Dig Different’s website.
