Augmented reality system for aiding engineering design process of machinery systems

Abstract

The paper presents the application of augmented reality for aiding product design and development of machinery systems. Augmented reality technology integrates an interactive computer-generated word with an interactive real word in such a way that they appear as one environment. AR technology can enhance a user’s perception of the real world with information that is not actually part of the scene but is relevant to the user’s present activity. Presented in the AR system is a mode for changing views of data — especially 3D models — allowing the user to understand the prospective machinery system in a more comprehensive way, thus making the design process more efficient than the one supported by conventional present-day CAD systems. The presented prototype system contains an expert system integrated with AR system and allows the delivering of knowledge to the designer about successive steps of the design process of a mobile robot and practical solutions of realized constructional problems. An approach concerning AR enables the system user to analyze and verify solutions (represented as 3D models) relative to real scenes/objects. This approach is advantageous because the real environment around us often provides a vast amount of information that is difficult to duplicate in a computer. In some cases, the application of an AR system could be an optimal way to verify developed products.

Keywords

Augmented reality / human-computer interface / CAD / design for customer satisfaction / computer-aided decision making

References

[1] Azuma R.T.. A survey of augmented reality. Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 1997, 6(4): 355-385.

[2] Bermell-Garcia P., Fan I.S.. Practitioner requirements for integrated knowledge based engineering in PLM. International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 2008, 3(1): 3-20.

[3] Dunston, P.S., Wang, X., Bilinghurst, M & Hampson, B. (2002). Mixed reality benefits for design perception. In: International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction, 191–196, Gaithersburg, Maryland, September 23–25, 2002

[4] Dunston, P.S., Bilinghurst, M., Luo, Y & Hampson, B. (2000). Virtual visualization for the mechanical trade. In: International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction, 1131–1136, September 18–20, 2000

[5] Feiner S., MacIntyre B., Seligmann D.. Knowledge-based augmented reality. Communications of the ACM, 1993, 36(7): 53-62.

[6] Ford Motor Company (2009). Improving new product development process. Sustainability Report 2009/10. Available via DIALOG. http://corporate.ford.com/microsites/sustainability-report-2009-10/economy-recovery-team-development. Cited May 25, 2011

[7] HITLab at the University of Washington. (2011). ARToolKit Documentation. Available via DIALOG. http://www.hitl.washington.edu/artoolkit/documentation/. Cited January 24, 2011

[8] Januszka M., Moczulski W.. Pokojski J., Fukuda S., Salwinski J.. Augmented reality for machinery systems design and development. New world situation — new directions in concurent engineering (Advanced concurent engineering series), 2010, Berlin Heidelberg: Springer 79-86.

[9] Januszka M., Moczulski W.. Machinery design aided by augmented reality technology. Computer Assisted Mechanics and Engineering Sciences, 2007, 14: 621-630.

[10] Januszka M., Moczulski W.. Collaborative augmented reality in CAD design. Machine Dynamics Problems, 2006, 30(3): 124-131.

[11] Klinker, G., Dutoit, A.H., Bauer, M., Bayer, J., Novak, V. & Matzke, D. (2002). Fata morgana — a presentation system for product design. In: International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality, 76–85, Darmstadt, September 30–October 1, 2002, IEEE Computer Society

[12] Liarokapis F.. An augmented reality interface for visualizing and interacting with virtual content. Virtual Reality, 2007, 11: 23-43.

[13] Milgram P., Takemura H., Utsumi A., Kishino F.. Augmented reality: a class of displays on the reality-virtuality continuum. Telemanipulator and Telepresence Technologies, 1994, 2351: 282-292.

[14] Moczulski W.. Methods of Knowledge Acquisition for the Needs of Machinery Diagnostics (Monograph, in Polish), 1997, Gliwice: Publishing House of Silesian University of Technology

[15] Moczulski W., Panfil W., Januszka M., Mikulski G.. Jablonski R., Turkowski M., Szewczyk R.. Applications of augmented reality in machinery design, maintenance and diagnostics. Recent Advantages in Mechatronics, 2007, Berlin Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag 52-56.

[16] Novak Marcincin, J. (2007). Augmented virtual reality applications in manufacturing systems. In: International Multidisciplinary Conference, 565–572, Baia Mare, Romania, May 17–18, 2007

[17] Navab N.. Developing killer apps for industrial augmented reality. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 2004, 24(3): 16-20.

[18] Nölle, S. & Klinker, G. (2006). Augmented reality as a comparison tool in automotive industry. In: International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality, 249–250, Santa Barbara, USA, October 22–25, 2006, IEEE Computer Society

[19] Ong, S.K. & Nee, A.Y.C. (eds.) (2004). Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications in Manufacturing. Springer

[20] Oprzedkiewicz J.. Computer-aiding in Reliability of Machines (in Polish), 1993, Warsaw: WNT

[21] Regenbrecht H., Baratoff G., Wilke W.. Augmented reality projects in the automotive and aerospace industries. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 2005, 25(6): 48-56.

[22] Shin D.H., Dunston P.S., Wang X.. View changes in augmented reality computer-aided-drawing. ACM Transactions on Applied Perceptions, 2005, 2(1): 1-14.

[23] Skarka W.. Methodology of Knowledge-based Engineering (Monograph, in Polish), 2007, Gliwice: Publishing House of Silesian University of Technology

[24] Stokes M.. Managing Engineering Knowledge: MOKA Methodology for Knowledge-Based Engineering Applications, 2001, New York: American Society of Mechanical Engineers

[25] Wang X., Dunston P.S.. Potential of augmented reality as an assistant viewer for computer-aided drawing. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 2006, 20(4): 437-441.

[26] Zhou, F., Ben-Lim Duh, H. & Billinghurst, M. (2008). Trends in augmented reality tracking, interaction and display: a review of ten years of ISMAR. In: International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality, 193–202, Cambridge, September 15–18, 2008, IEEE Computer Society