Once three-dimensional structural design is complete, the design data has to go through DMU structural prototype review. Conventional PC-based CAD review struggles with large data volumes, cannot handle a whole-vehicle review, is limited by screen size, restricts the number of participants and constrains viewing angles. Virtual reality enables 1:1 immersive prototype review, so designers feel as though they are standing in front of the real product - sensing true dimensions, spotting design interference intuitively and raising communication efficiency. Running DMU structural review in a VR system has become the mainstream choice.
I. System architecture
To meet this market need, HYSIM offers the iVPD virtual prototype review system. It has three main components.
1. Review software platform - TechViz
TechViz is built on graphics and image processing technology. It takes the application already in use and visualises it directly at ultra-high resolution, and supports a wide range of VR display options - head-mounted displays, single-channel stereo systems, multi-channel stereo systems, CAD WALL and CAVE - making it easy to create a true 1:1 scale image. Lightweighting and data optimisation keep full-vehicle data running smoothly.
2. Stereoscopic display system
Provides users with a three-dimensional virtual reality environment in which they are immersed and can interact with the virtual world. CAD Wall, CAVE or VR headsets of different specifications can be selected to match the application.
3. ART tracking and interaction system
Captures operator input and supplies the underlying data for natural interaction between people and the virtual environment. It tracks the position of the eyes and hands, and supports large-volume tracking that allows people to walk around inside the virtual environment for natural interaction.
II. Application scenarios
- Inspect and monitor whole-vehicle design and flag the relevant issues, protecting design quality and project schedule.
- Provide visualisation at many types and levels, examining the structural prototype vehicle from every angle and simulating realistic visual effects - seeing the product in VR as it will appear in the real world, at low cost and high efficiency.
- Run functional analysis between vehicle variants or components, including mechanism motion, interference, assembly and disassembly, and space and packaging analysis. Carrying out the same analyses in the digital environment that would otherwise happen in the real world lets designers find problems in early design and run them repeatedly at every stage, improving design quality.
- Check configuration and part completeness.
III. Outcome
Applying the structural virtual prototype review system makes cross-departmental collaborative review and decision-making intuitive. It improves design data quality, reduces late-stage engineering change and strengthens the competitiveness of the enterprise.