How does a 3D model become a virtual prototype on a VR system?

What are the advantages of visualizing a virtual prototype?

In many complex industrial product designs (car, boat, aeronef, building for example), 3D modeling is a must-do step of the design process. Engineers would traditionally make their product review of a 3D model through their computer screen. Such a product review can appear to be far away from reality and this can lead to mistakes and lack of exhaustivity. They’ll have to wait until the conception of the physical prototype to detect design flaws bringing out heavy production costs. By contrast, using virtual reality to export the 3D model as a virtual prototype enables to make the most of the design review process: teams can collaborate seamlessly together and easily validate the project or see errors, make corrections and improve the product. The product review can be conducted really early in the production process. A perfect way of optimising time-to-market and money.

Real-time 1:1 immersive experience

To review your product design in a VR display system and get a realistic feeling, you can visualize your 3D model in 1:1 scale or even greater. Any size-related problem can be detected and corrected directly in VR. Doing so, it is also possible to integrate a human avatar into the virtual model in order to improve the ergonomics of the product.

Using VR remote collaboration

In the context of complex industrial design – in the automotive industry for example – various teams are part of the design and validation process. With many people involved in the entire prototype design process, you can maximize the simulation of the real use of a car or a train. But this makes it more complicated for teams to work well together from one country to another. That’s where the use of a VR collaboration platform seems to be the perfect solution. Part of the design discussion can be virtual and all people involved can point out potential errors and validate the design together.

Combine more than two 3D models in VR

In dealing with large-scale projects, not only you need to take into account the product itself, and sometimes you also need to consider the use of the entire product environment into the design process.

Let’s say you’re designing a subway. Then the subway station design obviously are two different things, meaning two different 3D models. Through TechViz 3D scene fusion feature, you can merge both 3D models and visualize them in VR together. Getting a more realistic view of the project for a presentation.

Benefits of displaying a 3D model in VR

TechViz VR collaboration software can record the entire digital audit process of a VR environment, making a project review and validation more convinient. Thanks to VR you can mark, measure, hide and display different 3D parts in a model designed by 3D software such as Solidworks, CAD, CAE, Catia, Siemens PLM, Pro / E, 3D MAX, etc.

TechViz VR software can support Haption IPSI and Virtuose 6D full rigid body physical simulation and force feedback. Such a virtual configuration simulation of the product after the physical collision test also covers the product of the early design process. Let your 3D virtual model more suitable for the actual use of the various situations will occur.

Human Body Tracking and Finger Tracking

The bodytracking and Finger Tracking functionalities allow you to visualize your 3D model without having to convert any data. Thus, the digital review becomes more dynamic. This is far more practical than doing a review on a computer, and it greatly enhances the efficiency of the review.

On what VR systems can we visualize a 3D model?

There are 3 main VR systems professionally used:

• XR headsets: VR / AR / MR headsets on the market (HTC Vive, Oculus, etc.)
• Powerwalls
• CAVEs: 2 to 6-faced immersive rooms

Does TechViz, virtual reality company, has a reliable digital review functionality?

In the manufacturing industry, Siemens, Bosch Electric Company have selected TechViz to optimize the processes of its products. Markus Halbritter, Bosch and Siemens Senior Project Manager said:

«Time, quality, and price are key factors, virtual reality can help us in product design to prevent analysis of errors, thus ensuring the quality of our products. We bring audits and save time by bringing 3D simulation to a simulated environment. VR reviews and product design testing has begun to replace the traditional physical review and testing, which helps us to save costs and improve performance, but also to speed up time-to-market. The digital prototype can  be delivered to the designated place much faster than before! »

Author: Yu Zhai