Virtual Mechanical Assembly Training Based on a 3D Game Engine

• Published in: Computer-aided design and applications 2015, Vol.12 (2), p.119-134
• Main Authors: Aziz, EL-Sayed S., Chang, Yizhe, Esche, Sven K., Chassapis, Constantin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D game engine; assembly constraints; assembly training; gear train; virtual assembly; virtual environments
• ISSN: 1686-4360; 1686-4360
• DOI: 10.1080/16864360.2014.962424

Designed for personal computers, 3D video games are powerful tools with respect to graphics rendering, real world physics simulation, human-computer interaction and multi-user communication. Because of these favorable features of 3D games, their adaption for serious applications has been widely researched recently. These applications generally focus on topics such as real world scenario reconstruction, which require no or only minor development efforts on the game engines themselves. Contrary to this, the development of virtual education and training environments requires the integration of complex engineering systems into games, which poses greater challenges and thus causes this topic to be covered less frequently. This article presents a framework for authoring virtual environments (VEs) for mechanical assembly training using a commercially available 3D game engine. The VE presented here allows multiple users to conduct simulations of assembly procedures in a collaborative manner and provides an immersive user experience with user-friendly human-computer interactions. In order to enable diverse types of assemblies, the VE uses feature-based representations of assemblies. CAD concepts such as form features, parts, kinematic joints and sub-assemblies are modified for implementation into the VE. This framework is explained through a sample assembly process of a planet gear train. The results of a study conducted in an undergraduate mechanical engineering laboratory are summarized briefly. From the study results, it can be concluded that this VE has the potential to become a valuable education and training tool for users, helping them to acquire mechanical assembly skills that can be applied to fields such as manufacturing, maintenance and repair.