STTR Phase I: Advanced Virtual Manufacturing Lab for Research, Training, and Education

该小型企业技术转移(STTR)第一阶段项目旨在创建高级虚拟制造实验室(AVML)。AVML将由面向对象的场景图形虚拟现实工具包驱动。AVML的关键元素如下：(1)机器和实验室的纹理照片真实感几何实体模型；(2)机器的数字模型，包括机器控制和运动部件；(3)基于物理的加工操作模型；(4)可用作导师的自然语言仿人智能代理。AVML的应用包括：允许学生和研究人员观看制造机器的物理精确模拟并与之交互，培训学生在SAGE环境中操作制造机器，通过在物理机器上加工之前在虚拟机器上测试各种方案来优化制造工艺计划，以及远程查看和控制物理制造机器。AVML将提高制造教育和培训的质量、可获得性和生产率，并将促进下一代制造过程的科学发现和工程分析。此外，AVML还将加强实验和学习，提高学生的创造力和解决问题的能力，加强学生、教师和行业专家之间的合作，促进未被充分代表的群体参与和平等获得制造技术培训。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to create an Advanced Virtual Manufacturing Lab (AVML). The AVML will be driven by an object-oriented scene-graph virtual reality toolkit. The key elements of the AVML are as follows: (1) textured photo-realistic geometric solid models of the machines and lab; (2) digital model of the machine which includes the machines controls and moving parts; (3) physics-based model of the machining operation; and (4) natural-language human-like intelligent agents which can be used as tutors. Applications of AVML include the following: allowing students and researchers to view and interact with a physically accurate simulation of the manufacturing machine, training students to operate the manufacturing machines in a sage environment, optimization of the manufacturing process plan by testing various plans on the virtual machine before machining on the physical machine, and remote viewing and control of the physical manufacturing machines.The AVML will enhance the quality, accessibility, and productivity of manufacturing education and training and will advance scientific discovery and engineering analysis of next generation manufacturing processes. Also, the AVML will enhance experimentation and learning, increase student creativity and problem-solving capability, enhance collaboration among students, teachers, and industry experts, and promote participation and equal access of underrepresented groups to manufacturing technology training.