MANEUVER: Manufacturing Education Using Virtual Environment Resources

使用虚拟环境资源的制造教育项目正在开发一种负担得起的虚拟现实(VR)框架，以满足对训练有素的数字制造(DM)技术人员的迫切需求。美国制造业所需的350万个职位中，预计有一半以上会因为“技能缺口”而空缺。就业预测显示，传统制造业工作岗位减少，DM工作岗位显著增长。这一VR教学框架，目标是两年和四年制课程，不仅将推动DM领域的发展，还将通过弥补缺乏明确定义的职业/教育途径(S)来加强教育。移动正在开发一种创新的多模式虚拟现实框架，用于DM教学。该框架将3D DM数据库与功能分离，从而使教学设计人员能够通过沉浸式、增强式和桌面式VR进行访问。分离的方法不是将功能与VR数据库配对，从而防止其他模式访问，而是允许独立于模式的方法，促进负担得起的访问和更广泛的实施。由此产生的课程模块可以复制在多台机器上使用，而不需要额外的成本。在制造流程培训期间，VR工具是一种可行的替代方案，提供了一种成本和材料高效的解决方案。正在使用行业标准软件和硬件来开发和提供用于教学和培训目的的高级DM练习。利用“培训培训者”的方法，正在为中等和高等教育机构开发一种可复制的教师发展模式。通过满足区域和国家的入门级劳动力需求，该项目使社会受益，并为国家经济进步和繁荣作出贡献。

Project MANEUVER (Manufacturing Education Using Virtual Environment Resources) is developing an affordable virtual reality (VR) framework to address the imminent demand for well-trained digital manufacturing (DM) technicians. Over half of the 3.5 million required manufacturing positions in the US are expected to go unfilled due to a "skills gap". Employment projections show a decline in conventional manufacturing jobs with marked growth in DM jobs. This VR instructional framework, targeted at two and four year programs, will not only advance the field of DM, but will also strengthen education by remedying the lack of clearly defined career/educational pathway(s) for entry-level DM technicians. MANEUVER is developing an innovative multi-modal VR framework for DM instruction. This framework decouples the 3D DM database from functionalities, thus giving the instructional designer access through immersive, augmented, and desktop VR. Instead of pairing functionalities with the VR database, which prevents access by other modes, the decoupled approach allows for mode-independent approach, facilitating affordable access and broader implementation. The resultant curricular modules can be replicated for use on multiple machines without additional costs. During manufacturing process training, VR tools serve as a viable alternative offering a cost and material-efficient solution. Industry standard software and hardware is being used to develop and deliver advanced DM exercises for instructional and training purposes. Using a "train-the-trainers" approach, a replicable faculty development model is being developed for secondary and post-secondary institutions. By addressing regional and national entry-level workforce needs, the project benefits society and contributes to national economic progress and prosperity.