Pierre Larochelle
Florida Institute of Technology
Judy M. Vance
Virtual Reality Applications Center
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-2160
NSF Design and Manufacturing Grantees Conference Proceedings, January 3-6, 2000, Vancouver, British Columbia, CD-ROM
Abstract
This award provides funding to develop a new and innovative approach to designing spatial mechanisms based on the use of virtual reality technology. A virtual environment, which will include a variety of visual, audio, and haptic interactive devices, will be created and used to design novel spatial mechanisms. New analytical techniques for spatial mechanism design which fully utilize the capabilities of the virtual design environment will be generated and incorporated into the design software. Computer models of objects within the operational workspace of the mechanism will be displayed in the virtual environment and consideration of the interaction of the mechanism with these objects will become an integral part of the design process. This development will be a test bed for the use of virtual reality in mechanical design. If successful, this research will result in a computer tool that utilizes novel spatial mechanism design methodologies to generate a three-dimensional design space in which the designer can synthesize spatial mechanisms and obtain a sense of the form and function of the devices. This would enable spatial mechanisms to be incorporated into many products, including manufacturing and automation equipment and consumer products. As a result of this research, new advancements in spatial mechanism design methodology and new knowledge pertaining to the use of virtual environments as mechanical design tools are likely.
