I-nteract: A Cyber-Physical System for Real-Time Interaction With Physical and Virtual Objects Using Mixed Reality Technologies for Additive Manufacturing

Ammar Malik,Hugo Lhachemi,Robert Shorten

doi:10.1109/access.2020.2997533

Abstract

This paper presents I-nteract, a cyber-physical system that enables real-time interaction with real and virtual objects in a mixed reality environment to design 3D models for additive manufacturing. The system has been developed using mixed reality technologies such as HoloLens, for augmenting visual feedback, and haptic gloves, for augmenting haptic force feedback. The efficacy of the system has been demonstrated by generating a 3D model using a novel scanning method to 3D print a customized orthopedic cast for human arm, by estimating spring rates of compression springs, and by simulating interaction with a virtual spring in a mixed reality environment.

Highlights

During the last three centuries, changes in manufacturing introduced by the three first industrial revolutions have acted as a catalyst for profound societal change
I-nteract is an interface for real-time interaction with both real and virtual objects that enables kinematic and dynamic interaction for additive manufacturing (AM)
To make the cast wearable, the generated 3D model is printed in two halves

Summary

Introduction

During the last three centuries, changes in manufacturing introduced by the three first industrial revolutions have acted as a catalyst for profound societal change. As a part of this global trend, the last decade has seen the emergence of additive manufacturing (AM) as a disruptive technology poised to deeply transform manufacturing [3], [4]. Used for fast prototyping [5]–[7], AM has seen rapid growth during the last decade due to the advancement in processes and tools, as well as a number of appealing features such as the obviation of the. The associate editor coordinating the review of this manuscript and approving it for publication was Lei Wei. need for dedicated tooling and the capability to manufacture bespoke products with specific shapes or advanced features that are not manufacturable with traditional manufacturing methods. In the global context of climate change, such democratization of accessible production units might play a key role in the emergence of a more sustainable economy that includes repair, upgrade, and refurbish as a service

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Conclusion