The modern web-based distance education overcomes space-time restriction of the traditional teaching forms. However, being short of specifically observable and operable experimental equipment makes the web-based education lack advantages in the knowledge learning progress, which needs strong stereoscopic effect and operability. Truck crane is the most widely used crane installed on ordinary or tailor-made chassis with strong operability. This paper introduces a kind of interactive truck crane simulation platform based on the virtual reality technology, on which can complete the simulation experiment of the crane's movement. The framework and working principle of the interactive truck crane simulation platform are discussed in the paper, while landing leg and hook are used as an example to show the motion control mechanism of truck crane components. The interactive truck crane simulation platform uses the browser-based structure, Java3D, virtual reality and Java Applet, etc. to develop a Web3D virtual reality learning environment, which has the advantages of good interaction, strong sense of reality, simple update, less investment and so on. This learning environment can meet the needs that many students study online at the same time, so it has important application in the distance education of mechanical profession and remote training of vocational skills.
3D Interactive Learning Environment as a Tool for Knowledge Transfer and Retention
