VR, according to Robert Lowe, president and CEO of Superscape Inc. (Palo Alto, Calif.), has a number of benefits. For instance, he cited: manufacturing layout; data analysis; rapid prototyping; training; and computer simulations. Since Superscape sells VR development tools, Lowe's glowing review of the technology comes as no surprise. An impressive roster of satisfied users, however, also testified to the usefulness of VR.
Motorola University (Schaumburg, Ill.), a training campus for the chip manufacturer, has developed a VR system that allows the user to assemble pagers on a virtual manufacturing assembly line. This application was tested by using a control group, a desktop VR group and a group wearing head-mounted displays (HMDs) to train workers to assemble pagers. The two groups using VR products won out over the control group in terms of learning capability and performing fewer errors.
Smart Machines (San Jose, Calif.) used a robot to demonstrate issues concerning burning-in semiconductor chips. This application illustrates how the robot works with a customer's equipment as well as to test equipment while in the design phase. Sony (Japan), meanwhile, used VR software to model its Watchman video player because VR can show how products in the design phase can be viewed in all dimensions. Changes can be made to the design in real time.
Superscape, of course, is far from being the only VR supplier in the manufacturing arena. Another VR company, Deneb Robotics Inc. (Auburn Hills, Mich.), is providing software to General Motors Truck Group (Detroit, Mich.). GMTG believes that virtual prototyping and virtual manufacturing technologies will help reduce tooling development costs, optimize manufacturing operations and time-to-market "through the ability to eliminate equipment design problems with simulation prior to actual creation of manufacturing tools," according to John Schweikert, GMTG's group director-manufacturing engineering.
"Our envisioned process will validate up-front product/process interfaces, tooling, operational ergonomics, workplace layout, and total process flow prior to production tool build," Schweikert said. "This will optimize total cycle time from concept initiation to start of pilot build by allowing earlier identification and correction of tooling, operator and layout problems."
Another automotive manufacturer, Ford Motor Co. (Dearborn, Mich.), has gone GM one step further by opening a VR lab, where it will develop tools for such applications as vehicle packaging studies, design verification and new product evaluations (see "News in Brief" for more details). Ford will utilize software from VR supplier Division Inc. (Chapel Hill, N.C.).
And even computer manufacturer IBM is getting into the act. IBM's Manufacturing Industries Unit (Charlotte, N.C.) has developed a 3-D Interaction Accelerator VR visualization system for CAD models. This system includes such features as a virtual camera, which enables users to manipulate CAD models in real time, and a multi-user collaborative review system that allows design teams at remote locations to simultaneously view and annotate one or more CAD models.
While many still think of virtual reality as a gimmick or just an arcade game peripheral, some major manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon in a big way. VR is for real.