Virtual Simulation Process Research Articles

Coil High Voltage Spark Plug Boots Insulators Material Selection Using MCDM, Simulation, and Experimental Validation

The examination and choice of an alternate composite material for the high-voltage circuit of Otto cycle internal combustion engines—more commonly known as gasoline engines—are presented in the research that follows. To do this, multicriteria selection procedures are employed, and the outcomes are validated through the use of thermal character simulation software and standard laboratory tests. Nylon is the recommended material for Coils on Plug (COP) high-voltage insulators. Four of the six multicriteria selection techniques utilized in this study were found to be effective. It was discovered through the virtual simulation process that, even in the same environment with the same edge circumstances, the thermal behavior of the materials differs dramatically because the quadrants exhibit different behavior depending on the material. Given that nylon has a lower elasticity modulus than silicone, it was determined that the dimensions are crucial for the nylon Spark Plug Boot (SPB) to comply with the dielectric isolation process. It must have a minimal clearance in order to be related to the geometry of the spark plug and perform the perfect insulation in this manner.

Immersive virtual reality to train preservice teachers in managing students' challenging behaviours: A pilot study

AbstractThis pilot study investigated the effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) training on the classroom management ability of preservice teachers, the addition of real‐time audio feedback as reinforcement and whether preservice teachers could apply their training in an actual classroom setting. We employed the Breaking Bad Behaviours' immersive VR system to design a training situation. Managing students' challenging behaviours was the training target, and 10 preservice teachers were invited to participate (five men and five women; age range, 20–26 years). The results revealed that the immersive VR training experience improved the speed and effectiveness of the participants' management of challenging behaviours in students and enabled the participants to transfer their learning to an actual classroom setting. After the training, the teachers were more confident in halting challenging behaviours by approaching the students, taking appropriate actions and using oral commands. Real‐time audio feedback had a positive but weak influence and gave the participants a feeling of encouragement and affirmation regarding their actions; the influence of real‐time feedback is expected to be stronger if the target of the reinforcement is focused on specific classroom management strategies. Finally, more interactive student avatars should be added to the immersive VR system to enhance classroom management communication, thus making the system a more effective teacher training tool. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Virtual reality (VR) provides a high degree of realism that increases the effectiveness of teacher training simulations. Desktop VR technology has been applied in professional development for classroom management; few studies have used immersive VR for classroom management training. What this paper adds The immersive virtual training experience could improve preservice teachers' ability to handle students' challenging behaviours, and the classroom management ability learned through immersive VR can be transferred to a real classroom. Real‐time audio feedback can encourage preservice teachers and provide a feeling of achievement and affirm their actions. Implications for practice and/or policy Immersive VR simulations can be used as a training tool to provide preservice teachers with authentic classroom management practice experience. Through careful design, real‐time audio feedback can be incorporated into the immersive virtual simulation process to reinforce the target behaviours.

A Distributed Virtual Reality System Based on Real-Time Dynamic Calculation and Multi-Person Collaborative Operation Applied to the Development Of Subsea Production Systems

To train inexperienced workers for the construction, production, and maintenance of subsea production systems, a virtual reality simulation platform was developed. The entire framework, software, and hardware platforms of the system were designed and introduced. A multi-person collaborative simulation was achieved based on the high-level architecture protocol. The real-time dynamic calculation software Vortex was used to add physical properties to each geometrical model and set collision detections and motion constraints so that the VR system can reflect the real motion response of the structures in real-time during virtual simulation. Visual simulation software Vega Prime and Vortex were integrated to realise the real-time rendering and drawing of virtual ocean engineering scenes. Thus, a virtual simulation system with large-scale complex scenes based on real-time dynamic calculation and multi-person collaborative operation was established. A typical ocean engineering case of subsea manifold installation was simulated using the virtual simulation system, and the detailed simulation flow was explained. A multibody dynamics system of the ship-cable-subsea manifold was established using Orcaflex to obtain the accurate motion response of the subsea manifold during lowering. In the virtual simulation process, the obtained hydrodynamic calculation results can provide an important guideline and reference to the operators. The developed simulation system is a suitable tool for training ocean engineering workers and realistically simulating ocean operation cases.

A study of replication of Qing Dynasty dragon robes based on CLO3D technology

So far, the research on Chinese historical costumes has stayed on the discussion of culture, shape, pattern and social background. There is a big gap in the research on the reproduction of historical costumes. In this paper the clothing characteristics of Qing Dynasty dragon robe pattern, craftsmanship, shape and structure are analyzed by referring the literature, with the purpose of realizing the digital virtual display of ancient traditional clothing, and it carries out a comparative analysis of clothing CAD pattern, 3D virtual fitting and replication of samples, which put forward the detailed problems and solutions in the traditional dragon robe virtual simulation process. The research shows that the three-dimensional virtual simulation model can accurately restore the fabric, pattern, color and structure of the dragon robe of the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, this paper provides a reliable patterns and simulation modeling method for the research about the dragon robe, which offer an innovative research method for inheritance of traditional Chinese clothing.

Dynamic reaction of machine tools to transient cutting conditions

Transient machining conditions often occur during the milling process, especially when complex toolpath layouts are deployed. Although modern CAM-aided toolpath generation algorithms aim at keeping the cutter engagement conditions as constant as possible and avoid sudden changes, this can not always be ensured. These transients are accompanied by temporary peak excursions in cutting forces and changing dynamic content of the excitation forces. This may have the potential to excite unwanted vibrations in the machining process and even may initiate chatter. Using a virtual process simulation environment it is possible to predict resultant dynamic forces along a complete NC tool path with high time and angular resolution and gain insights into the dynamics of transient events during machining operations. This simulation environment has the capability to use an analytical cutting force model, which spares extensive testing and parameter identification beforehand. Besides, well known empirical cutting formulations can be used as well. The results of the dynamic force prediction is compared against experimental results for different toolpath layouts and the dynamic behavior of the machine tool under cutting conditions will be discussed.

Principles of Pattern Modification of Court Costume in Ming Dynasty in 3D Simulation

Due to the particularity of ancient Chinese costume patterns, algorithm errors often occur in 3D simulation of ancient Chinese costume, resulting in failure of costume simulation. When reconstructing those costumes with research value, the influence of the garment structure on the effect of the garment model should be taken into account, and the garments should be reconstructed with real patterns. However, in order to reduce the algorithm errors in the costume simulation process, the authenticity of the pattern must compromise the limitations of the software algorithm， that is, the original pattern of costume must be modified. This paper, taking the court costume of Ming Dynasty as the research object, summarizes the parts where algorithm errors occur in the virtual simulation process of court costume. Through specific experiments, the effect of costume models made by different patterns is compared, the modification method of Ming Dynasty costume pattern in CLO3D is explored. The pattern modification principle that can eliminate algorithm errors in simulation process to the greatest extent is determined, and a set of court costume pattern used for 3D simulation is established. This pattern modification principle is applicable not only to the Ming Dynasty court costume, but also to all the ancient costumes with the same structure as them, which provides the theoretical basis and experimental method for the establishment of other ancient costume models.

Intelligent MOL(Middle-Of-Line) Design Methodology for 3D FinFET Manufacturability

This research is an outstanding first study on the intelligent design methodology of the core MOL scheme. It can maximize the manufacturability of 3D FinFET technology that is mainly used for foundry AP products ranging from 10nm to 5nm.In order to realize various MOL structures, 3D virtual process simulation considering plasma and surface reaction was implemented, and based on this, the generation of gate to contact short, a chronic defect in FinFET MOL scheme, could be detected without decap. Futhermore, for the feature selection, the process factor sensitivity analysis was performed with the Monte carlo algorithm, which is one of the representative reinforcement learning techniques, and it was found that the key factors of defect were gate to contact misalign and contact etch angle. In the Gate-to-Contact 3D minimum distance probability distribution function generated by millions of samplings based on this intelligent algorithm, the failure criteria can be obtained by mapping with the number of fail bits detected in the wafer.As the device's scaling limit was reached, SCE-driven FEOL(Front-End-Of-Line) characteristics as well as the MOL parasitics' portion became very huge in the 10 nm or less FinFET technology, but all studies have been limited to the effects of device performance via RC(Resistance-Capacitance) analysis.On the other hand, our methodology provides a 3D minimum distance 5.7nm specification for a defect-free MOL structure for the first time, and provides conditions to meet Gate to CNT short zero at the current process capability level when improving M/A 4.5nm and etch ang 1.5o. In silicon, the same result was obtained as predicted. Figure 1

A semi-automatic approach to implement rapid non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation

PurposeCurrent virtual simulation platforms provide various tools to generate non-immersive simulation processes purposefully in different domains. The generated simulation processes are adopted for analysis, presentation, demonstration and verification. In the virtual maintenance domain, this intuitive and visual method has benefitted product maintainability design and improvement. Generating an ideal and reasonable non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation is always time-consuming because of the complicated human operations and logical relationships involved. This study aims to propose a semiautomatic approach to increase efficiency in non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology analyzes the general catalogs of common maintenance tasks and explores the corresponding secondary development approaches of simulation tools that can achieve motion simulation in virtual environments, by focusing on the diversity, complexity and uncertainty in non-immersive virtual simulation process generation. Afterward, a single virtual human motion can be generated by controlling the parameters and indices of the simulation tools. Subsequently, all of the generated single motions are connected logically to simulate the entire maintenance process.FindingsInstead of selecting various tools, such as that in a traditional method, the proposed methodology analyzes and integrates the necessary basic parameters considering the characteristics of virtual maintenance simulation for a target maintenance activity.Originality/valueThe user can control the predefined parameters to generate the simulation combining several other simple operations in virtual environments. Consequently, the methodology decreases simulation tool selection and logic consideration and increases efficiency to a certain extent in non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation generation.

Reverse engineering techniques to optimize facility location of satellite ground stations on building roofs

Abstract The development of small satellites, called CubeSats, at universities gave rise to another concept of ground station and its location site on building roofs. As a facility project, conditioned by urban regulations, the agreement between the ground station engineers and the facility managers is necessary in the site selection process. This paper proposes the application of reverse engineering techniques, such as the laser scanning, to provide them 3D spatial information by the 3D digital reconstruction of the scenario. The main result obtained in the case study at the Technical University of Madrid was the proposal of the re-designed ground station site increasing the antenna performance and considering the established facility constraints. In these building roofs scenarios, the virtual simulation process of telecommunications antennas sites based on the created 3D digital scenario is very useful to optimize the location before the installation process.

Mechanism of ionic conduction in multi-layer polymeric films studied via electrochemical measurement and theoretical modelling

Abstract Ionically permeable domains in polymeric protective coatings have been investigated empirically and theoretically. In the first part of the paper, results from recent experiments both complement and show agreement with received knowledge. This has allowed a physical model to be proposed for the mechanism of ionic conduction in polymeric coatings. This model assumes the random scattering of small regions with very different physical and chemical properties, akin almost to separate phase. Particularly the much higher rate of conduction is likely to have an impact on the coating’s anti-corrosion ability. Based on the superimposition of permeable and impermeable domains, the model can be applied to allow comparison of multi-layer systems with single coat films of the same thickness. Such a statistical model has practical corollaries and in the second part of the paper statistical methods are advanced to allow determination of the probability of having these permeable domains in two, three, four and more coats. This has been further refined by a virtual simulation process using the distribution of permeable domains on a two dimensional plane. The significance of the theoretical models is then discussed with respect to the experimental data and what they mean in terms of protective ability.

腐蚀与防护综合实验的虚拟仿真

本文介绍了腐蚀与防护综合实验的虚拟仿真过程，即建立规范的基本操作库、防腐蚀方法及其验证实验方案库、实验结果库，评价实验结果，开发虚拟仿真平台及软件，使学生通过虚拟仿真实验和评价，不断修改、完善自己设计的防腐蚀方法及其验证实验方案，最终到实验室能更有针对性、更有效的开展腐蚀与防护综合实验，提高实验教学效果。 The virtual simulation process of the corrosion and protection comprehensive experiment is in-troduced in this paper. That is to establish a normative basic operation database, a database of anticorrosion methods and their verification experiment schemes, a experimental results database of anticorrosion methods, to evaluate the experimental results, to develop the virtual simulation platform and software that students can carry out the virtual simulation experiment and evaluation. Then the anticorrosion methods and their verification experiment schemes revised constantly and thought to be perfect. Therefore, the corrosion and protection comprehensive experiment can be carried out more purposefully and more effectively by students in the laboratory, and the teaching effect is improved.

A process planning framework and virtual representation for bead-based additive manufacturing processes

CNC-based hybrid manufacturing systems capable of additive manufacturing (AM) and machining have been developed for metal and large thermoplastic components. Currently, there are no CAD/CAM systems that seamlessly integrate additive and machining tool paths and simulation, as required for a complete hybrid manufacturing solution. Tool paths for bead-based AM cannot be generated by simply reversing the Z processing order of waterline machining tool paths. AM process planning modules are significantly different than those for machining. Unique AM process planning challenges related to geometry, establishing relevant process-specific settings, thermodynamics, tool path planning and realistic virtual process simulation are discussed. To support hybrid manufacturing, the output from the additive manufacturing simulation must be employed as a stock model for subsequent machining. This paper discusses the architecture, process and data flows for a bead-based AM processes, with results being presented primarily for laser cladding.

Implementation of a Voice-ControlSystem for Issuing Commands in a Virtual Manufacturing Simulation Process

Speech recognition is a technology that attempts to involve audio cues during interaction with machines, instead of being limited to just visual and touch interfaces. However, a keyboard and mouse input is an archaic method of interaction, adding on to the fact that voice control is seemingly more natural. This study aims to implement speech recognition as a form of machine control to perform simple commands in a virtual simulation process. The simulation system is an in-house developed augmented reality robotic work cell which includes a robot arm, a conveyer belt, a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, and a pellet. Issuing commands are performed via the Windows Speech Recognition software built from the Microsoft Speech Application Programming Interface (SAPI). This software is advantageous because it can be fairly accurate once trained properly, is easily modifiable by anyone regardless of the operator’s programming knowledge, and is free. A macros tool is used to support the additional features of the recognition software which includes directly programmable Extensible Markup Language (XML) codes.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Simulation Software in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning Involving Non-Coplanar Beams with Partial Breast Irradiation as a Model

Virtual reality simulation software (VRS - FocalSim Version 4.40 with VRS prototype, Computerized Medical Systems, St. Louis, MO) is a new radiation dose planning tool that allows for 3D visualization of the patient and the machine couch (treatment table) in relationship to the linear accelerator. This allows the radiation treatment planner to have a "room's-eye-view" and enhances the process of virtual simulation. The aim of this study was to compare VRS to a standard planning program (XiO - Version 4.50, Computerized Medical Systems, St. Louis, MO) in regards to the time it took to use each program, the angles chosen in each, and to determine if there was a dosimetric benefit to using VRS. Ten patients who had undergone left-sided lumpectomies were chosen to have treatment plans generated. A partial breast irradiation (PBI) treatment plan by external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) was generated for each patient using two different methods. In the first method the full plan was generated using XiO software. In the second method beam angles were chosen using the VRS software, those angles were transferred to XiO, and the remaining part of the plan was completed using XiO (since VRS does not allow dose calculations). On average, using VRS to choose angles took about 10 minutes longer than XiO. None of the five gantry angles differed significantly between the two programs, but four of the five couch angles did. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) data showed a significantly better conformality index, and trends toward decreased hot spots and increased coverage of the planed treatment volume (PTV) when using VRS. However, when angels were chosen in VRS a greater volume of the ipsilateral breast received a low dose of radiation (between 3% and 50% of the prescribed dose) (VRS = 23.06%, XiO = 19.57%, p < 0.0005). A significant advantage that VRS provided over XiO was the ability to detect potential collisions prior to actual treatment of the patient in three of the ten patients studied. The potential to save time with VRS by not having to redo plans because of a collision increases clinic efficiency.

Analyzing process uncertainty through virtual process simulation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose virtual process simulation as a technique for identifying and analyzing uncertainty in processes. Uncertainty is composed of both risks and opportunities.Design/methodology/approach – Virtual process simulation involves the creation of graphical models representing the process of interest and associated tasks. Graphical models representing the resources (e.g. people, facilities, tools, etc.) are also created. The members of the resources graphical models are assigned to process tasks in all possible combinations. Secondary calculi, representing uncertainty, are imposed upon these models to determine scores. From the scores, changes in process structure or resource allocation can be used to manage uncertainty.Findings – The example illustrates the benefits of utilizing virtual process simulation in process pre‐planning. Process pre‐planning can be used as part of strategic or operational uncertainty management.Practical implications – This paper presents an...

Research on the Virtual Simulation of Emergency Management for Coal Mining Enterprises

For the design and development of fully functional emergency management decision support systems for coal mining enterprises, the paper studies enterprise simulation frameworks of the mine emergency management system. Firstly, the function framework of HLA-based virtual simulation in coal mining enterprise is presented. By integrating HLA / RTI, etc, we integrate immersive interactive man-machine interface device as constructed structure of the virtual policy framework. And then, a coal mining enterprise virtual simulation process model is built. Finally, the virtual simulation architecture for the emergency management of coal mining enterprise is designed.

Development of integrated rotorcraft design and virtual manufacturing framework

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated rotorcraft design and virtual manufacturing framework. The framework consists of two major sub‐frameworks which are e‐design and virtual manufacturing frameworks. This paper aims to describe the process of generating a specific framework for helicopter design and manufacturing in general, and a method for main rotor blade design.Design/methodology/approachThe e‐design process integrates a pre‐conceptual, conceptual and preliminary design phases and includes many high accuracy physics‐based analysis tools and in‐house codes. The development of analysis programs and integration of flow data are discussed under the e‐design process. The virtual manufacturing process discusses physical three‐dimensional (3D) prototypes using rapid prototyping, virtual process simulation model development using Delmia Quest, virtual machine tool simulation and process‐based cost model. Vehicle geometry is modelled parametrically in computer‐aided 3D interactive application (CATIA) V5 to enable integration between the e‐design and virtual manufacturing processes, and then saved in Enovia SmartTeam which is commercial software for product data management (PDM). Data saved in Enovia SmartTeam are used as a database for the virtual manufacturing process.FindingsThe integration framework was constructed by using Model Center software. A multi‐disciplinary design optimization loop for rotor blade considering manufacturing factors is discussed to demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the framework.Practical implicationsThe manufacturing (practical factors) could be considered at an early stage of the rotor blades design.Originality/valueThe gap between theoretical (engineering design: aerodynamic, structural, dynamic, design, etc.) and practical aspects (manufacturing) is bridged through integrated product/process development framework. The modern concurrent engineering approach is addressed for helicopter rotor blade design throughout the case study.

Exploring diverse process and team alternatives through virtual process simulation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a virtual process simulation technique for modeling process alternatives.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes modeling method and applies it to an illustrative example.FindingsThe method is effective in modeling the illustrative example and provides a method for studying team composition and dynamics a priori.Practical implicationsThe paper presents an approach to model process alternatives in order to select the best deployment option. The modeling process incorporates measures and metrics relating to global geographic and team issues. Incorporation of these issues affords the process designer the ability to predict more accurately the most successful deployment option.Originality/valueThe research contributes to the study of process modeling by examining the potentially neglected or ignored issues relating to geographic and team diversity.

Virtual simulation and treatment verification–merits and demerits: experience at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Pakistan

Background: The rapid changes in practice of radiotherapy have taken place over the past 5 years in Pakistan. With advent of computed tomography simulator, and multileaf collimators–assisted linear accelerators and electronic portal imaging system, few centres in Pakistan have switched from conventional radiotherapy to modern computer-based technology. Our hospital is first centre in Pakistan which is using virtual simulation since March 2006. We present our experience with list of merits and demerits.Design: Retrospective study.Patient collection: Medical records of all patients who received radiotherapy in our centre were reviewed. Parameters included were type of malignancy, type radiotherapy (curative/palliative), simulation and planning process time and the displacement of the beam-axis from the planning isocentre in clinical situations during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy using electronic portal imaging device (EPID). Data were collected on written proforma. Percentages, frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated using SPSS version 17.0.Results: A total of 289 patients were treated from March 2006 to November 2008. Transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder was most common malignancy seen (42.4%) followed by prostate (28.62%) and renal cell carcinoma (14.14%). Of these 34.26% patients were treated on curative basis. The virtual simulation process could be completed in an average time of 5 min (SD 3.5). Under many cases, the treatment portals could be designed and the patient marked in one session. The displacements were recorded for 43 portals for early prostate cancer using an EPID system. The mean displacement was found 2.44 ± 0.8 mm in x (transverse), y (craniocaudal), and z (anteroposterior) directions during treatment. Standard deviation (SD) was 0.87 (90% CI 2.21–2.66). Average number of portals taken was 10 (6–27) per treatment session.Conclusion: Computer-based simulation and treatment over conventional methods is appropriate for curative patients, achieving more accurate tumour localisation, sparing normal organs at risk, reduced field sizes and a film free environment; however efforts are required to achieve maximum immobilisation during treatment.

Assurance qualité d'un logiciel de simulation virtuelle : application à IMAgo et SIMAgo (ISOgray TM)

Purpose Virtual simulation process is often used to prepare three dimensional conformal radiation therapy treatments. As the quality of the treatment is widely dependent on this step, it is mandatory to perform extensive controls on this software before clinical use. The tests presented in this work have been carried out on the treatment planning system ISOgray TM (DOSIsoft), including the delineation module IMAgo and the virtual simulation module SIMAgo. Material and methods According to our experience, the most relevant controls of international protocols have been selected. These tests mainly focused on measuring and delineation tools, virtual simulation functionalities, and have been performed with three phantoms: the Quasar TM Multi-Purpose Body Phantom, the Quasar TM MLC Beam Geometry Phantom (Modus Medical Devices Inc.) and a phantom developed at Hospital Tenon. Results No major issues have been identified while performing the tests. These controls have emphasized the necessity for the user to consider with a critical eye the results displayed by a virtual simulation software. The contrast of visualisation, the slice thickness, the calculation and display mode of 3D structures used by the software are many factors of uncertainties. Conclusion A virtual simulation software quality assurance procedure has been written and applied on a set of CT images. Similar tests have to be performed periodically and at minimum at each change of major version.