3D Graphical Simulation Research Articles

A Model-Based Approach for Mixed Hardware In the Loop Simulation of Manufacturing Systems

Abstract The paper deals with the problem of testing control software for discrete manufacturing systems with a set of flexible simulation tools. In the paper, the Hardware-In-the-Loop approach is improved in order to obtain a simulation architecture which allows a step-by-step testing of the control. The main idea is: “what is ready can be tested simulating the remaining parts”. In this way, it is possible to test a module of the control software once it is ready even thought other interacting modules must be still developed. This technique has been supported by a specific 3D graphic simulation environment (SIMBA, SImulation of Model-Based Automation systems), which follows a model-based approach guided by a mechatronic view of automation systems. SIMBA has been used for real industrial test cases and will be fully integrated with the proposed mixed simulation methodology.

A Mixed-Reality approach to Test Automation Function For Manufacturing Systems

The paper deals with the problem of building a test environment for MES (Manufacturing Execution System) control of manufacturing system. In the paper, the MES control layer has been developed according to agent-based technology inside the Pabadis'Promise Project. The test system is built as a user-defined combination of the real automation components and a 3D graphical simulator. For that reason, it has been named as mixed-reality simulation. The advantage is to allow the system integrator to test some control SW (SoftWare) parts in closed-loop as soon as they become available, and in parallel to proceed with the plant construction. At the beginning the test will be made in simulation, and then some virtual components will be removed and substituted by the real components as soon as they become available. The paper investigates the possibility to automatize this process, and will discuss an application of a real cell producing carter parts for motorbikes.

Preparing content-rich learning environments with VPython and Excel, controlled byVisual Basic for Applications

A simple interface between VPython and Microsoft (MS) Office products such as Word andExcel, controlled by Visual Basic for Applications, is described. The interface allows thepreparation of content-rich, interactive learning environments by taking advantage of thethree-dimensional (3D) visualization capabilities of VPython and the GUI capabilities ofMS Office. MS Office provides the user interface for data input. The data are stored in atext file, which is read by VPython and used in 3D graphical simulations. Use of theinterface is illustrated by working through an example of the motion of a charged particlein a magnetic field. A user interface designed in Excel allows the student to inputdata on the charge and the mass of the particle, the initial conditions and themagnetic field. The data are then saved in a text file. VPython reads the data andrenders the 3D graphics visualization of the motion. Interactivity is ensured sincethe student can change the data and directly observe the changes in motion.

MO‐E‐224C‐03: A 3D Collision Avoidance Tool for External Beam Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning

Purpose: We are presenting the design and implementation of a 3D‐graphical tool for the detection of potential collisions of various linac components for patient‐specific external treatment planning Method and Materials: The graphical tool uses the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) to model the exact geometry of any treatment machine by reading its manufacturer's CAD design files. The robust system is based on VRML and Java programming that allows for accurate simulation of any linac hardware module based on the manufacturer's CAD drawings. Results: The tool predicted eminent collisions between different linac components graphically for a simulated Varian 2100EX for certain gantry and table angles. The collision angles were verified manually on the linac and found to agree with the predicted angles from the tool. Conclusions: We have developed a 3D graphical simulation tool that can be used as a stand alone application to assist in external treatment planning by visually simulating collisions between various linac hardware components. Unlike other anti‐collision methods developed so far in the literature, our tool would be able to model the details of the treatment linac and add‐on devices for patient‐specific setups. Hence, the tool will create patient‐specific realistic collision maps for any external treatment scenario. The tool can be used as a stand‐alone program and it is platform independent.

Using VR for Efficient Training of Forestry Machine Operators

This paper presents the results of two years of field trials of a 3D graphical simulator of forestry machines called processing harvesters, for the training of students in wood harvesting. It is a comparative study of the results between the traditional training where students go directly from the classroom to real machine operation in the woods and a new VR augmented training. The results indicate that the addition of 25 hours of hands-on VR training increases by 23% the volume of wood harvested and reduces by 26% the repair and maintenance costs during the first month of operation in forest. The use of VR also allowed precise recording and monitoring of the evolution of trainees' performance during their training sessions, showing learning curves that decrease with time for all the defined performance criteria (execution time, error rate and precision). The field trials were held in a training center with four classes of eleven students in wood harvesting and are the first known experiments concerning the use of virtual reality technologies for the training of students in forestry.

An object-oriented multitasking control environment for multirobot system programming and execution with 3D graphic simulation

This paper describes an object-oriented distributed control environment for industrial multirobot applications. A distributed computing environment, where workpieces, robots, and other industrial devices such as a vision sensor are defined as software objects with class inheritance hierarchy, supports human-friendly task-level programming and automated robot program generation with 3D graphic simulation, and performs supervisory and real-time sensor-based coordinated control of multirobot systems. Using object-oriented multitasking control with a preemptive rescheduler, vision-based robot positioning and pick and place operations for exchange of a workpiece are demonstrated to validate the control performance of the computing environment.

Workplace ergonomics and simulation

Notes the tendency to ignore ergonomics during the process of workplace design. Features Deneb/ERGO, a 3D graphic simulation and ergonomic analysis tool to meet this need. Focuses on the various uses of Deneb/ERGO in areas such as man/machine interaction and safe lifting techniques. Notes that Deneb/ERGO can be used to aid in the design of workplaces for a range of workers.

N-D Computer Graphics in Robots' Kinematics Modelling and Simulation

The paper describes a study of robots’ kinematics in nD, n-dimensions n=2,3.4,6, space-time coordinates, useful in continuous path control. The first part develops the concept of nD and shows the connections with robots’ study. Afterwards, with the assistance of two computer programs, realised by the author, it is put into evidence very strange, but useful aspects of robots’ kinematics study in nD space-time coordinates, with examples for a six degrees of freedom robot arm. In order to persuade anybody that the concept works, in parallel, it is shown the 3D computer graphics simulation of robot’s kinematics, in space coordinates only.

DS– a 3D graphics simulation program for single-crystal diffractometry

A brief description of a 3D graphics simulation program for single-crystal diffractometry is presented. The program displays both χ- and κ-type diffractometers with a zero-dimensional (conventional) counter or a two-dimensional area detector and simulates the process of data collection. This program has been designed for assisting actual data collection using these devices, but it could also be useful as a tutorial aid for those starting to learn single-crystal diffractometry.

Off‐line programming moves into practice

Peter Sorenti and Joe Bennaton discuss developments in off‐line programming and decribe the use of the GRASP 3D graphical simulation system to program a complex welding task at JCB.