FEATURE CAD/SOFTWARE THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES
GETS A REBOOT T
he Oculus Rift, Microsoft HoloLens and even Google Cardboard are a far
stretch from the first virtual reality (VR) headset, created in 1968 by computer scientist, Ivan Sutherland. The concoction was called The Sword of Damocles and, because of its formidable size and weight, had to be anchored to the ceiling so it didn’t crush the user. Almost 50 years later, we are only now seeing VR and augmented reality (AR) being used in manufacturing environments. Like any disruptive technology with roots in the consumer market, industry viewed VR with a certain level of scepticism to begin with. Many companies questioned the practical applications of the concept, labelling it another gimmick that would not stand up to the rugged manufacturing environment. However, as Ethernet, touch screen and mobile devices proved before it, VR has real-world manufacturing potential. It is predicted that the technology will
continue its ascent as more manufacturers start to take advantage of its benefits. Indeed, a PWC survey at the beginning of 2016 found that more than a third of the US manufacturers surveyed already used VR technology, or planned to do so in the next three years.
VIRTUAL DESIGN The automotive market tends to be an early adopter of disruptive technologies. US automotive manufacturer Ford built its own immersion lab where designers, engineers and other employees can don an Oculus Rift headset and walk around exploring the exterior and interior of its cars. Ford uses VR to test its designs and assess how individual elements of a vehicle look, without having to build a physical car. The VR links directly with the company’s CAD software, so that engineers can make changes and visualise results quickly and easily.
VIRTUAL TRAINING Another area in which manufacturers are seeing VR shine is training. The British engineering firm, BAE Systems, recently revealed that it creates virtual representations of projects for engineers to practice on. BAE’s virtualisation suites allow engineers to examine the virtual elements of a system, so they can analyse, design and plot where they
30 FEBRUARY 2017 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Leroy Spence, head of sales development, EU Automation, looks at how AR and VR are changing the world of manufacturing
Furthermore, VR is an effective way of teaching machine operators, or maintenance technicians, about a new piece of equipment on the factory floor. Visualising the inner components of a device allows companies to make detailed maintenance plans. This process is incredibly useful for identifying obsolete components or predicting which parts the original equipment manufacturer will cease to support. This allows plant managers to create an effective obsolescence management plan, which could involve stocking up on spare parts or opting for a redesign.
need to make changes in the physical world. VR provides a level of test redundancy by giving engineers the chance to try out changes before they make any final alterations. VR training programmes can simulate
realistic and hazardous situations on the manufacturing floor, including chemical spills, dangerous machinery and loud environments, without putting operators at risk. Should the unavoidable happen, employees have relatable experience and are more likely to react appropriately.
Although VR and AR are years away from mainstream adoption in manufacturing, it seems they will have a prosperous future in this industry
RECRUITING FOR THE FUTURE Perhaps one of the biggest indicators of the potential of AR and VR for industry has come from a shift in recruitment at major engineering companies. Recently, firms have been very open about actively recruiting graduates with game design degrees. Astute with VR, Android and mobile technology, this next generation of engineering recruits are helping make Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things (IoT) applications a reality. Although VR and AR are years away
from mainstream adoption in manufacturing, the technology is being put to good use by a minority of progressive companies looking for a competitive edge.
EU Automation
www.euautomation.com
TOMORROW’S CAD/CAM SOFTWARE
ProfitTurning has released the latest version of the ESPRIT CAM software, after years of ground-breaking research. ProfitTurning has hurdled a gruelling series of tests, delivering a performance that promises to take machinists, engineers and industrialists to greater levels of precision, quality control and productivity. ProfitTurning is a high-speed lathe roughing strategy
developed by DP Technology Corp. for OD/ID/face cutting and other tasks. Fast, secure and efficient, it also extends tool life by significantly minimising wear. Compared to conventional ramping methods, ProfitTurning reduces machine cycle time as well as the frequency that tooling inserts need to be replaced.
ESPRIT
www.espritcam.com
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