scholarly journals A Virtual Environment to Support the Distributed Design of Large Made-to-Order Products

2011 ◽  
pp. 299-320
Author(s):  
Robert Ian Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Use Case ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Virtual Platform

An overview of a virtual design environment (virtual platform) developed as part of the European Commission funded VRShips-ROPAX (VRS) project is presented. The main objectives for the development of the virtual platform are described, followed by the discussion of the techniques chosen to address the objectives, and finally a description of a use-case for the platform. Whilst the focus of the VRS virtual platform was to facilitate the design of ROPAX (roll-on passengers and cargo) vessels, the components within the platform are entirely generic and may be applied to the distributed design of any type of vessel, or other complex made-to-order products.

scholarly journals A Virtual Environment to Support the Distributed Design of Large Made-to-Order Products

2008 ◽  
pp. 304-325
Author(s):  
Robert Ian Whitfield ◽  
Alex H.B. Duffy ◽  
Alastair Conway ◽  
Zhichao Wu ◽  
Joanne Meehan
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Use Case ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Virtual Platform

An overview of a virtual design environment (virtual platform) developed as part of the European Commission funded VRShips-ROPAX (VRS) project is presented. The main objectives for the development of the virtual platform are described, followed by the discussion of the techniques chosen to address the objectives, and finally a description of a use-case for the platform. Whilst the focus of the VRS virtual platform was to facilitate the design of ROPAX (roll-on passengers and cargo) vessels, the components within the platform are entirely generic and may be applied to the distributed design of any type of vessel, or other complex made-to-order products.

Geometric Modeling and Collaborative Design in a Multi-Modal Multi-Sensory Virtual Environment

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajarathinam Arangarasan ◽  
Rajit Gadh
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Geometric Modeling ◽  
Shape Modeling ◽  
Design System ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Design Cycle

Abstract Shape modeling plays a vital role in the design process but often it is the most tedious task in the whole design cycle. In recent years the Computer Aided Design (CAD) industry has evolved through a number of advances and developments in design methodology. However, modeling in these CAD systems requires expertise and in-depth understanding of the modeling process, user interface and the CAD system itself, resulting in increased design cycle time. To overcome these problems a new methodology and a system called “Detailed Virtual Design System” (DVDS) has been developed for detailed shape modeling in a multi-modal, multi-sensory Virtual Environment (VE). This system provides an intuitive and natural way of designing using hand motions, gestures and voice commands. Due to the lack of effective collaborative design, visualization and analysis tools, designers spend a considerable amount of time and effort in the group discussion during design process. To enable multiple designers to effectively and efficiently collaborate in a design environment, framework of a collaborative virtual environment, called “Virtual Environment to Virtual Environment” (V2V), has been discussed. This framework allows same site and remote site multi-modal, multi-sensory immersive interface between designers.

scholarly journals A SIMPLE PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENT DESIGN CATALOGS

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Yellowley ◽  
Paul Winkelman
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Intelligent Design ◽  
Object Oriented ◽  
Software Framework ◽  
Conceptual Level ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Novice Designers ◽  
Standard Components

Engineers frequently refer to catalogues when designing products and by carefully selecting standard components, they are able to create their own unique systems. Unfortunately, these catalogues tend to serve a limited audience as they favour experienced designers. This research is aimed at developing a software framework that renders catalogue data more accessible to novice designers. The system envisaged is composed of a highly object oriented virtual design environment that allows engineers to develop their products at the conceptual level and then draw on catalogue data as they enter the embodiment and specification phase of the design process. In addition to catalogue data, this design environment must integrate other design aids, such as graphics, simulation and analysis programs. Ultimately, the virtual environment should allow novice designers to develop systems that rival those of experienced engineers using traditional catalogues.

DESIGN OF AN INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL FACTORY USING CELL FORMATION METHODOLOGIES

2003 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 229-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. KESAVADAS ◽  
M. ERNZER
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Clustering Algorithm ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Cell Formation ◽  
Open Architecture ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Virtual Factory ◽  
Software Modules ◽  
And Performance

This paper describes an interactive virtual environment for modeling and designing factories and shop floors. The factory building tool is developed as an open architecture in which various modules can be utilized to quickly implement factory design algorithms ranging from plant layout to factory flow analysis. Software modules and utilities have been implemented to allow easy set-up of the visual interface. In this paper, this virtual factory is used to implement cellular manufacturing (CM) system. CM has traditionally been a very complicated system to implement in practice. However successful implementation of the system has improved productivity immersely. Several issues involved in implementing CM within our virtual factory machine modeling and interface designs for defining the cells, are discussed. The mathematical clustering algorithm called Modified Boolean Method was implemented to automatically generate complex virtual environments. The virtual factory makes the process of CM-based factory design a very easy and intuitive process. Though the cell formation problem is NP-complete in 2D space, issues related to human factors and ergonomics can be better perceived in a 3D virtual environment. It also leads to further optimization with respect to maintainability and performance, and thus help get better solutions, which are not visible unless the factory is built. Our virtual factory interface also allows easy reassignment of machines and parts, subcontracting of bottleneck parts and rearranging of machines within the same design environment, making this a productive industrial tool. 3D virtual factory can also be automatically generated from the Part Machine interface called the Virtual Matrix Interface.

scholarly journals Road Signs Perception Evaluation by Means of a Semi-immersive Tool

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-47
Author(s):  
Roberto Vigano ◽  
Edoardo Rovida ◽  
Riccardo Vincenti ◽  
Marco Ramondino
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Road Accident ◽  
Visualization Tool ◽  
Traffic Signs ◽  
Road Signs ◽  
Safety Systems ◽  
Direct Use ◽  
And Training

To reduce the number of road accident victims the European Commission has encouraged the European member states to implement a series of actions in this field. These actions include the development of intelligent and integrated safety systems as well as educational and training initiatives. Educational initiatives include the training of the drivers to improve their ability and sense of responsibility. In addition to the direct use of the vehicle, the training includes the recognition of the traffic signs. Since the recognition may be influenced by both the position of the signal and the weather conditions, the authors have studied the possibility of evaluate the drivers' perception of road signs by means of a virtual environment tool able to perform different operative conditions. A series of tests was conducted to evaluate the visualization tool created and its ability to replace other recognition tests. This paper reports first tests results.

scholarly journals Design and Digital Manufacturing: an ergonomic approach for Industry 4.0

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Laudante ◽  
Francesco Caputo
Keyword(s):  
Production Process ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Production Line ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Human Machine Interaction ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Assembly Tasks

The contribution proposes innovative methods for design and ergonomic configuration of tools, equipment and manual workplaces for automobile assembly tasks, in order to increase the worker’s welfare and the system’s performance by improving general safety conditions. Developed activities are part of the research project “DEWO – Design Environment for WorkPlace Optimization”, financed by Italian Government to the Second University of Naples. The aim of this project is to identify new methods for optimization of assembly tasks  in a virtual environment in terms of overall integration among materials management, working tasks organization and layout, starting from the principles of "WorkPlace Organization" and the modern theories of "Lean Production ". The manufacturing industry is heading to the ever more pushed use of digital technologies in order to achieve very dynamic production environments and to be able to develop continuous process and product innovations to fit into the so called Fourth Industrial Revolution, Industry 4.0. The main goal of Industry 4.0 is to “rethink” companies through the use of digital, to reconsider the design approach and to monitor the production process in real time. The research addresses the evolution of innovation 4.0 in relation to the discipline of design, where the management of knowledge in the production process has led to the strengthening and improvement of tangible goods. Starting by current ergonomic analysis models and innovative approaches to the process of industrial production line, the manufacturing processes in the virtual environment were defined and optimized with the use of innovative 3D enjoyment technologies. The constant interaction among the different disciplines of design, engineering and occupational medicine, enables the creation of advanced systems for simulating production processes based on virtual reality and augmented reality, mainly focused on the needs and requirements of the workers on a production line where it is possible to bring out the interaction between real and virtual factory (Cyber-Physical System). The objective is to define new models of analysis, of development and testing for the configuration of ergonomic processes that improve and facilitate the human-machine interaction in a holistic view, in order to protect and enhance human capital, transferring the experiences and knowledge in the factory system, key factors for the company and for the sustainability of workers welfare levels.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/IFDP.2016.3297

A Framework for Designing Component Shapes in a Virtual Reality Environment

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tushar H. Dani ◽  
Rajit Gadh
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Cad System ◽  
Interactive Editing

Abstract Despite advances in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and the evolution of the graphical user interfaces, rapid creation, editing and visualization of three-dimensional (3D) shapes remains a tedious task. Though the availability of Virtual Reality (VR)-based systems allows enhanced three-dimensional interaction and visualization, the use of VR for ab initio shape design, as opposed to ‘importing’ models from existing CAD systems, is a relatively new area of research. Of interest are computer-human interaction issues and the design and geometric tools for shape modeling in a Virtual Environment (VE). The focus of this paper is on the latter i.e. in defining the geometric tools required for a VR-CAD system and in describing a framework that meets those requirements. This framework, the Virtual Design Software Framework (VDSF) consists of the interaction and design tools, and an underlying geometric engine that provides the representation and algorithms required by these tools. The geometric engine called the Virtual Modeler uses a graph-based representation (Shape-Graph) for modeling the shapes created by the user. The Shape-Graph facilitates interactive editing by localizing the effect of editing operations and in addition provides constraint-based design and editing mechanisms that are useful in a 3D interactive virtual environment. The paper concludes with a description of the prototype system, called the Virtual Design Studio (VDS), that is currently being implemented.1.

Application of an Alternative Teaching Model in a Virtual Architectural Design Studio: Impacts and Constraints

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Rabee M. Reffat
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Design Studio ◽  
Teaching Model ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Alternative Teaching ◽  
3D Virtual Environment ◽  
Architectural Design Studio

This paper introduces an alternative teaching model in a virtual architectural design studio, its application, impacts and constraints. This model aims for achieving collaborative learning through facilitating students to Inhabit, Design, Construct and Evaluate (IDCE) their designs collaboratively in a multi-user real-time 3D virtual environment platform (Activeworlds). The application of this model in virtual design studio (VDS) teaching has favorably impacted students' motivation for active, creative and explorative learning, social dynamics between studio participants. It also fostered learning electronic communication, collaboration techniques and etiquette in addition to design technology. The model assisted in developing collaborative experience and shared responsibility. However, there are some drawbacks of the virtual environment platform that hindered having a responsive design environment to users' needs with especially in modeling and rate of viewing. The advantages and constraints of applying the IDCE teaching model in a multi-user real-time 3D virtual environment for first year students at the University of Sydney are addressed in this paper.

Web-Enabled Feature-Based Modeling in a Distributed Design Environment

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Yeol Lee ◽  
Hyun Kim ◽  
Sung-Bae Han
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Feature Modeling ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Dynamic Feature ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Product Modeling ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Feature Based

Abstract Network and Internet technology open up another domain for building future CAD/CAM environments. The environment will be global, network-centric, and spatially distributed. In this paper, we present Web-enabled feature-based modeling in a distributed design environment. The presented approach combines the current feature-based modeling technique with distributed computing and communication technology for supporting product modeling and collaborative design activities over the network. The approach is implemented in a client/server architecture, in which Web-enabled feature modeling clients, neutral feature model server, and other applications communicate with one another via a standard communication protocol. The paper discusses how the neutral feature model supports multiple views and maintains naming consistency between geometric entities of the server and clients as the user edits the part in a client. Moreover, it explains how to minimize the network delay between the server and client according to dynamic feature modeling operations.

COVIRDS: A Conceptual Virtual Design System

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tushar H. Dani ◽  
Rajit Gadh
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Computer System ◽  
System Architecture ◽  
Design System ◽  
Shape Design ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Computer System Architecture

Abstract This paper describes the development of a computer system architecture for mechanical conceptual shape design within a virtual environment — COVIRDS1 (COnceptual VIRtual Design System).

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