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Virtual Assembly of an Airplane Turbine Engine Citation Network

By: Ahmad, A (Ahmad, Ali)[ 1 ] ; Al­Ahmari, AM (Al­Ahmari, Abdulrahman M.)[ 2 ] ; Usman Aslam, M (Usman Aslam,

Muhammad)[ 2 ] ; Abidi, MH (Abidi, Mustufa H.)[ 2 ] ; Darmoul, S (Darmoul, Saber)[ 3 ] 0 Times Cited
19 Cited References
IFAC PAPERSONLINE View Related Records
Volume:  48  Issue:  3  Pages:  1726­1731 View Citation Map
DOI:  10.1016/j.ifacol.2015.06.335
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Published:  2015
(data from Web of Science TM Core Collection)

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Conference:  15th IFAC Symposium on Information Control Problems in Manufacturing
Location:  Ottawa, CANADA All Times Cited Counts
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Date:  MAY 11­13, 2015
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Abstract
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This paper presents the virtual assembly of an airplane turbine engine and discusses the advantages of building virtual Database
reality models in assembly process verification. The assembly parts and assembly sequence using a Virtual Reality 0 in Data Citation Index
Design system are explained. Virtual prototyping has come a long way in recent years, where current enviroments 0 in Russian Science Citation Index
enable sterescopic visuals, surround sound, and ample interaction with generated models. In a virtual reality 0 in SciELO Citation Index
environment that is built with VR Software, the virtual prototype of a turbine engine is developed, and a simulation of
movement of parts is conducted to illustrate assembly process planning. (C) 2015, IFAC (International Federation of
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Author Keywords: Virtual reality; prototyping; assembly operations; airplane turbine engine Learn more
KeyWords Plus: REALITY

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Reprint Address:  Ahmad, A (reprint author)

Northwestern State Univ Louisiana, Dept Engn Technol, Natchitoches, LA USA.

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[ 1 ] Northwestern State Univ Louisiana, Dept Engn Technol, Natchitoches, LA USA of the data in this record, please
suggest a correction.
[ 2 ] King Saud Univ, Coll Engn, Adv Mfg Inst, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

[ 3 ] King Saud Univ, Coll Engn, Dept Ind Engn, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
E­mail Addresses: ahmada@nsula.edu; alahmari@ksu.edu.sa; usman.aslam123@gmail.com; mabidi@ksu.edu.sa;
sdarmoul@ksu.edu.sa

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Document Type: Proceedings Paper
Language: English
Accession Number:  WOS:000375804100288
ISSN:  2405­8963

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Information Control Problems in Manufacturing
Proceedigs
Proceedigs of
of the
the 15th
15th IFAC
IFAC Symposium
Symposium on
on
May 11-13, 2015.
Proceedigs of theOttawa, Canada
15th IFAC Symposium on
Information
Information Control
Control Problems
Problems in
in Manufacturing
Available
Manufacturingonline at www.sciencedirect.com
Information
May 11-13, Control
2015. Problems
Ottawa, in
Canada Manufacturing
May 11-13, 2015. Ottawa, Canada
May 11-13, 2015. Ottawa, Canada
ScienceDirect
Virtual Assembly of 48-3
IFAC-PapersOnLine an(2015)
Airplane
1726–1731 Turbine Engine
Virtual
Virtual Assembly of an Airplane Turbine Engine
 Virtual Assembly
Assembly of of an
an Airplane
Airplane Turbine
Turbine Engine
Engine
 Ali AHMAD*. Abdulrahman M. AL-AHMARI **. Muhammad USMAN ASLAM **
 Mustufa H.
AHMAD*. Abdulrahman M. ABIDI **. Saber**.
AL-AHMARI DARMOUL
Muhammad ***USMAN ASLAM **
Ali
Ali
Ali AHMAD*.
AHMAD*. Abdulrahman
Abdulrahman
Mustufa
M.
M.
H.
AL-AHMARI
AL-AHMARI
ABIDI **. Saber
**.
**. Muhammad
Muhammad
DARMOUL ***
USMAN
USMAN ASLAM
ASLAM ** **
Mustufa
Mustufa H.
H. ABIDI
ABIDI **.
**. Saber
Saber DARMOUL
DARMOUL ***
***
* Department of Engineering Technology, Northwestern State University,
Natchitoches,
** Department LA, USA (e-mail: ahmada@nsula.edu)
Department of
* Department of Engineering
of Engineering Technology,
Engineering Technology, Northwestern
Technology, Northwestern State
Northwestern State University,
State University,
University,
Natchitoches,
Natchitoches, LA,
LA, USA
USA (e-mail:
(e-mail: ahmada@nsula.edu)
ahmada@nsula.edu)
Natchitoches, LA, USA (e-mail: ahmada@nsula.edu)
** Advanced Manufacturing Institute, College of Engineering, King Saud University,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (e-mail:
** Advanced
Advanced alahmari@ksu.edu.sa,
Manufacturing usman.aslam123@gmail.com,
Institute, College
College of Engineering,
Engineering, King Saud mabidi@ksu.edu.sa,)
Saud University,
**
** Advanced Manufacturing
Manufacturing Institute,
Institute, College of
of Engineering, King
King Saud University,
University,
Riyadh,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (e-mail: alahmari@ksu.edu.sa, usman.aslam123@gmail.com, mabidi@ksu.edu.sa,)
Riyadh, Saudi
Saudi Arabia,
Arabia, (e-mail:
(e-mail: alahmari@ksu.edu.sa,
alahmari@ksu.edu.sa, usman.aslam123@gmail.com,
usman.aslam123@gmail.com, mabidi@ksu.edu.sa,)
mabidi@ksu.edu.sa,)
*** Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University,
Riyadh, Saudi
*** Industrial Engineering
Engineering Arabia, (e-mail:
Department, Collegesdarmoul@ksu.edu.sa)
of Engineering, King
King Saud University,
University,
***
*** Industrial
Industrial Engineering Department,
Department, College
College of
of Engineering,
Engineering, King Saud
Saud University,
Riyadh,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (e-mail: sdarmoul@ksu.edu.sa)
Riyadh, Saudi
Saudi Arabia,
Arabia, (e-mail:

(e-mail: sdarmoul@ksu.edu.sa)
sdarmoul@ksu.edu.sa)

 assembly of an airplane turbine engine and discusses
Abstract: Abstract: This paper presents the virtual 
the advantages
Abstract: of building
Abstract: virtual
This paper
paper realitythe
presents models
virtualinassembly
assemblyofprocess
assembly verification.
an airplane
airplane The assembly
turbine engine
engine parts
and discusses
discusses
Abstract: Abstract: This
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Abstract:
and
the Abstract:
assembly
advantages sequence
of building a presents
virtual Virtual
reality the virtual
Reality
models inassembly
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assembly ofprocess
an
areairplane turbine
explained. engine
Virtual
verification. The and discusses
prototyping
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parts
the
the advantages
advantages of
ofinbuilding
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virtual reality models
realitycurrent
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in assembly
assembly process
process verification.
verification. The assembly
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parts
come
and a long way
assembly recent
sequence years,
using a where
Virtual Reality enviroments
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system are sterescopic
explained. visuals,
Virtual prototyping has
and
and assembly
assembly sequence
sequence using
using aa Virtual
Virtual Reality Design system
Realityenviroments are explained. Virtual prototyping has
come ample
aa longinteraction
way in with
recent generated
years, where models.
current InDesign system
a virtual are sterescopic
reality
enable explained. visuals,
environment Virtual prototyping
that issurround
built with has
VR
sound,
come
come a long
long way
way in
in recent
recent years,
years, where
where current
current enviroments
enviroments enable
enable sterescopic
sterescopic visuals,
visuals, surround
surround sound,
sound,
Software,
and ample the virtual
interactionprototype
with of a
generated turbine engine
models. In is developed,
aa virtual and
reality a simulation
environment of movement
that is built of parts
with VRis
and
and ample
ample interaction
interaction with
with generated
generated models.
models. In
In a virtual
virtual reality
reality environment
environment that
that is
is built
built with
with VR
VR
conducted
Software, to
the illustrate
virtual assembly
prototype of process planning.
aa turbine engine is developed, and aa simulation of movement of parts is
Software,
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the virtual
virtual prototype
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ofprocess
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developed, andand a simulation
simulation of
of movement
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parts is
is
conducted
© 2015, IFACto illustrate assembly
(International Federation planning.
conducted
Keywords:
conducted to illustrate
Virtual
to assembly
reality,
illustrate processofassembly
process
prototyping,
assembly Automatic
planning.
planning. Control) Hosting
operations, airplaneby Elsevier
turbine Ltd. All rights reserved.
engine
Keywords:
Keywords: Virtual reality, prototyping, assembly operations,
 airplane turbine engine
Keywords: Virtual
Virtual reality,
reality, prototyping,
prototyping, assembly
assembly operations,
operations, airplane
airplane turbine
turbine engine
engine
 2004). By using a variety of peripheral equipment, such as
1. INTRODUCTION 
 stereo
2004). glasses,
By using gamepad,
aa variety head
of mounted display,
peripheral equipment, glove,
such3-D
as
1. INTRODUCTION 2004).
2004). By
By using
using a variety
variety of
of peripheral
peripheral equipment,
equipment, such
such as
as
Wang G. (2002) described 1. INTRODUCTION
1. INTRODUCTIONthat in traditional mechanical mouse
stereo and flock
glasses, of
gamepad, birds etc.,
head the
mounted interaction
display, between
glove, the
3-D
stereo
stereo glasses,
glasses, gamepad,
gamepad, head
head mounted
mounted display,
display, glove,
glove, 3-D
3-D
design G. and manufacturing process, first, the concept user
of mouse and model
and flock can be realized.
of birds etc., the interaction between the
Wang G. (2002) described
described that in traditional mechanical mouse
Wang
Wang
programG.
(2002)
(2002)
design anddescribed
that
that in
plan demonstration in traditional
traditional
should
mechanical
mechanical
be concept
completed, mouse and and flock
flock of of birds
birds etc.,
etc., the
the interaction
interaction between
between the the
design
design and
and manufacturing
manufacturing process,
process, first,
first, the
the concept of
of user
user
In and
and model
model
addition, can
can be
be
modifying realized.
realized.
design flaws in the computer is
design and
and thendesign manufacturing
the product design process, first,
is carriedshould the
out. Today concept of
aircraft user and model can be realized.
program
program design and
and plan demonstration should be completed, relatively easy and results in flaws
time-savings. The design
program
manufacturing and plan
designindustriesplan demonstration
demonstration be theshould
striveistocarried
be
be
mostToday
cost
completed,
completed,
effective In
In addition,
addition, modifying
modifying design
design flaws in
in the
the computer is
and
and then
then the
the product
product design
design is carried out.
out. Today aircraft
aircraft In addition,
drawing
relatively can
easymodifying
be modified
and design
results and in flaws
improved
time-savings. the computer
in until computer
an optimal
The design
is
is
and efficient
then the inproduct
the designThe
market. is production
carried out.costs Todayneed aircraft
to be relatively easy and results in time-savings. The design
manufacturing
manufacturing industries
industries strive
strive to
to be
be the
the most
most cost
cost effective
effective relatively
design
drawing is easy
achieved.
can be and results
Furthermore,
modified and in time-savings.
visual,
improved auditory
until The
anand design
other
optimal
manufacturing
kept low to face industries
competition strive toproduction
in the be the market
world most cost
and effective
a major drawing can be
and
and efficient
efficient in
in the
the market.
market. The
The production costs
costs need
need to
to be
be drawing
feedback
design is can be modified
information
achieved. modified
would
and
andbeimproved
Furthermore, improved until
untilanan
created.auditory
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optimal
advanced
other
and
kept efficient
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low to toin
face the
achieve market.
this
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world costs
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and a to be
in
major design is achieved. Furthermore, visual, auditory and other
kept low to face competition in the world market and a major design is achieved.
concept, virtualFurthermore,
reality visual,
technology auditory
is a and
practical other
means
kept low
product
contributor to face
development
to competition
achieve cycle
this in
time
goal theand
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have
technology. and
been a major
areas
Reduction of
in feedback
feedback information
information would
would be
be created.
created. As
As an
an advanced
advanced
contributor to feedback
in the information
field of machinerywould be
design created.
and As
manufacturean advanced
(Yosh,
contributor
strategic to achieve
focus achieve
(Burdeacycle
this
this goal
goal is
G., 2000). is technology.
technology. Reduction
Reduction in in design concept, virtual reality technology is a practical means
product development
product development cycle time and
time and cost
cost have
have been
been areas of design
areas of design
1996).
in the
concept,
concept,
field of
virtual
virtual
machinery
reality technology
realitydesign
technology
and
is
is aa practical means
practical (Yosh,
manufacture means
product
strategic development
focus (Burdea cycle
G., time
2000). and cost have been areas of in the field of machinery design and manufacture (Yosh,
strategic
Development focus (Burdea G., 2000). in the field of machinery design and manufacture (Yosh,
strategic focus of physical
(Burdea prototypes and verification for 1996).
G., 2000). 1996).
In the early 1960s, Morton Heilig invented the modern
assembly, disassembly andprototypes
maintenance tasks have been 1996).
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of physical
physical prototypes and
and verification
verification for
for concept of VR, and patented aHeilig
commercial design entitled
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critical.
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it isphysical
disassembly important
and prototypes
that virtual
maintenance andreality
verification
tasks and
have for In
digital
been In the
the early
early 1960s,
1960s, Morton
Morton Heilig invented
invented the
the modern
modern
assembly, disassembly and maintenance tasks have been In the
“Sensorama
concept of early
of VR, 1960s,
Simulator”.
VR, and Morton
and patented This Heilig
nascent
patented aa commercial invented
commercial design the
virtual-reality modern
video
design entitled
entitled
assembly,
manufacturing disassembly
techniques andto bemaintenance
involved intasks have been concept
accommodating
critical.
critical. Thus,
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it is
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virtual reality
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digital concept
arcade
“Sensorama of VR,
booth, andahead
well
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of
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commercial
time, provided design entitled
multi-sensory
virtual-reality video
critical.
stringent Thus, it is important
time constraints that virtual
intoproduct reality process
development and digital
and “Sensorama Simulator”. This nascent virtual-reality video
manufacturing
manufacturing techniques
techniques to be
be involved
involved in
in accommodating
accommodating “Sensorama
stimulation
arcade booth,toSimulator”.
attempt
well to
ahead This
fully
of its nascent
immerse
time, virtual-reality
the
provideduser into a video
virtual
multi-sensory
manufacturing
performing techniques
training to be for
exercises involved
the in accommodating
employees (Prem, arcade booth, well ahead of its time, provided multi-sensory
stringent
stringent time constraints in product development process and arcade
world, booth,
which well
in ahead
Heilig’sof its
casetime, wasprovided
a multi-sensory
motorcycle ride
stringent time
2005). time constraints
constraints in in product
product development
development process
process andand stimulation
stimulation to
to attempt
attempt to
to fully
fully immerse
immerse the
the user
user into
into aa virtual
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performing
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(McLeod, to
2001).attempt to fully immerse the user into a virtual
performing training
training exercises
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employees (Prem, (Prem, world,
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2005).
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2005). (McLeod, which
2001). in Heilig’s
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2005). (McLeod,
As 2001).
technology progressed, supercomputers combined with
product, virtual reality (VR) technology (McLeod, 2001).
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Y.J., virtual
virtual (McLeod, 2001). This approach proved too
Copyright © 2015 IFAC 1796 virtual objects (McLeod, 2001). This approach proved too
objects (McLeod, 2001). This approach proved too
2405-8963 © 2015, IFAC (International Federation of Automatic Control) Hosting by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©under
Peer review©
Copyright 2015 responsibility
2015 IFAC
IFAC 1796Control.
of International Federation of Automatic
1796
Copyright © 2015 IFAC
10.1016/j.ifacol.2015.06.335 1796
INCOM 2015
Ali AHMAD et al. / IFAC-PapersOnLine 48-3 (2015) 1726–1731 1727
May 11-13, 2015. Ottawa, Canada
slow, burdensome and expensive for the wider commercial
market at the time, but recent developments have opened up
VR for wider exploitation (Ong and Nee, 2004).
Technologies that allow for virtual assembly evaluation and
analysis are not yet fully utilized by industry. Although this
emerging technology is not completely understood in regards
to applications within commercial industries, the technology
as a whole is viewed as viable and valuable. The objective of
this paper is to develop a VR supported interactive and
immersive assembly system, which can be used for assembly
training and validation. The paper demonstrates the
feasibility of creating a valued design platform using Virtual
Reality tools. The assembly components of an airplane
turbine engine and their assembly sequence by using
Immersive virtual reality design platform are demonstrated.
2. BACKGROUND
VR is a term coined by Jaron Larnier in 1989, the two words
are contrasting by their synonyms and denotation but still it is
the most acceptable terminology in real-time computer
graphics world. There has been several definitions for Virtual
Reality but most comprehensive account was given by
Burdea et al. (2003) stating, “Virtual Reality is a high-end
user-computer interface that involves real time simulation
and interactions through multiple sensorial channels, these
sensorial modalities are visual, auditory, tactile, smell and
taste.” Amundarain et al. (2002) described the Virtual Reality
for aircraft engines maintainability. The main conclusion of
their work is that virtual reality systems with force feedback
based on low cost hardware can be directly applied to the
industry and that these systems may lead to important
reduction in costs.
Regenbrecht et al. (2005) selected ten augmented reality
(AR) projects and implemented in the past to examine the
main challenges faced and to share some of the lessons
learned. They have briefly introduced the augmented reality
projects applied in the automotive and aerospace industries.
There are many technical and organizational issues to be
resolved before one can apply AR in the field. Besides the
application-specific issues addressed, some general
guidelines have drawn from the experience, which they have
gained.
Christiand et al. (2007) presented the development of an
intelligent Assembly/Disassembly (A/D) system with the
utilization of a haptic device. It is believed that the
combination of haptic, optimized sequence algorithm and
intelligent path planning will increase efficiency for the
overall aircraft parts maintenance process.
Brough et al. (2007) discussed the development of Virtual
Training Studio (VTS), a virtual environment-based training
system that allows training supervisors to create training
instructions and allows trainees to learn assembly operations
in a virtual environment. Their system is mainly focused on
the cognitive side of training so that trainees can learn to
recognize parts, remember assembly sequences, and correctly
orient the parts during assembly operations. In addition, their
test results indicate that the system is able to support a wide
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variety of training preferences and works well to support
training for assembly operations.
Stone et al. (2011) discusses additional findings relating to
the exploitation and testing of a range of recent VR and
serious games applications of relevance to aerospace
research, development, education and training in the UK and
Russia; and seeks to define those issues demanding urgent
consideration. Moreover, the research work discussed some
actual approaches to the Virtual Environment and/or Serious
Gaming use in typical aerospace applications and derived
some useful recommendations for future developments.
Based on literature, it can be concluded that a lot of work has
been done in the field of virtual assembly in the last two
decades. However, there are some issues left such as the
integration of CAD model with the VR software; the graphics
in the VR environment should be like the real one and the
integration of tracking and haptics devices to give the sensory
feedback. These all issues mainly require a solution in a form
of VR software that should be capable of handling all these
challenges.
3. ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING
Survey of VP tools indicated that the technology has the
potential to modernise both new product and new
manufacturing-process developments (Schmitz, 1998).
However, the ongoing publication of case studies detailing
industrial organisations’ implementation, development of,
and successes with VP tools has been a significant influence
in start-up other industrial enterprises to seek the significant
business and process advantages that have been achieved by
early technology adopters.
In attempting to establish the opportunity and benefits
associated with the uptake of VP tools it is important firstly
to understand the advantages and capabilities that the
technology and approach provides in relation to the business
and supply-chain pressures that such organisations typically
operate under. An assessment of VP tools, through
experiences, published academic research and a number of
leading industry case studies highlights a clear number of
advantages. These advantages are as follows (Norton, 2001):
 Enables a reduced time to market.
 Allows for early testing.
 Can conduct expensive or impossible tests.
 Reduces the need for a physical prototype.
 Improves operator safety and comfort.
 Removes geographic boundaries.
 Provides a common design standard and language.
 Protects profit margin.
 Increases company agility.
 Reduces development costs.
 Reduces the scope and scale of engineering changes.
 Engenders a right-first-time attitude.
 Unravels design complexity.
 Enables full participation by all interested parties in
the product-development process.
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4. VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 5.2 Compressor

To create a virtual environment for the airplane turbine The compressor delivers high pressure air to the combustor.
engine, a semi-immersive Virtual Reality suite has been used The more the air is compressed the more power can be
as shown in figure 1. It consists of a large screen (3.1m x extracted inside the turbines. Some of this compressed air is
2.1m), a Christie Mirage rear-projected high-resolution used for secondary tasks such as cooling hot components.
projector to produce an immersive three-dimensional (3-D)
environment, active shutter glasses for stereoscopic viewing
and a Dell Precision T5400 workstation with 2.33 GHz Intel
Xeon processor and 1.5 GB Nvidia FX5800 Graphics card.
An inertial tracking system (i.e. Intersense IS900) provides
dynamic, real time measurement of the position and the
orientation of the use’s head and hands.

Fig. 3. Compressor Assembly Parts.

5.3 Combustor

The combustor burns fuel with air fed from the compressor.
The combustor must generate a large amount of energy in
order to drive the turbines. The challenge is to generate the
maximum amount of the heat from the smallest amount of
fuel with the lowest emissions.
Fig. 1. Virtual Reality System.

5. AIRPLANE TURBINE ENGINE PRINCIPLE

The gas turbine is an internal combustion engine that uses air
as the working fluid. The engine extracts chemical energy
from fuel and converts it to mechanical energy using the
gaseous energy of the working fluid (air) to drive the engine
and propeller, which, in turn, propel the airplane.

5.1 Fan System

The fan sucks and compresses a high volume of air at the
front of the engine. A significant volume of this air bypasses
the engine core and exits the cold exhaust nozzle,
contributing the largest proportion of the engine’s thrust.
A large fan is better for propulsive efficiency and noise but
introduces challenges such as weight and drag (Rolls-Royce
plc, 2007).
Fig. 4. Combustor with Compressor.
5.4 Turbine
Turbine extracts energy from hot gas stream delivered by the
combustor. This power is used to drive fan and compressors.
The challenge for the turbine blades is to operate in an
extremely hostile environment of high temperature and large
centrifugal loads (Rolls-Royce plc, 2007).

Fig. 2. Fan System. Fig. 5. Turbine Assembly Parts.

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6. TURBINE ASSEMBLY STEPS
The various steps involved in the airplane engine turbine are
as follows:
Step 1: First, take the shaft as a base part.
Step 2: Fix the turbine along with the shaft.
Step 3: Assemble the compressor 1 part.
Step 4: Assembly of main compressor part.
Step 5: Fix the bearing part.
Step 6: Assemble the compressor 2 part.
Fig. 6 shows the assembly structure of the airplane engine
Fig. 6. Turbine Assembly Tree
Figure 7 shows the rendered model of the airplane engine
turbine. It shows the complete assembly parts and their
position in airplane turbine engine. In addition, one can see
that shaft is a base part and all other parts will be mounted on
the shaft according to their assembly sequence.
Fig. 7. Complete Assembly Parts with Casing.
Semi-immersive environment gives a user sense of presence
in the digital environment. It helps a user to analyze the
design and assembly like in the real environment. The feature
such as collision detection can be used to validate the
assembly such as interferences. The motion simulation
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Step 7: Assemble the stabiliser gear.
Step 8: Fixing of the gearing cover.
Step 9: Assembly of the combustor.
Step 10: Fixing of the main body of the turbine engine.
Step 11: Fixing the combustor plug.
Step 12: Assembly of the fan system.
provides the user with assembly sequence. Figure 8 shows a
semi-immersive VR environment of an airplane turbine
engine. With the help of an interactive virtual hand (as shown
in the figure), one can pick different assembly parts in the
digital immersive environment. It augments the feeling of
being present in the digital environment.
Fig. 8. Semi-immersive Virtual Reality Environment.
7. CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED BY USING
VR TOOLS
The aerospace industry has been a key follower of exploring
the use of new technologies to simplify and standardize the
design process and its related communications requirements
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(McLeod, 2001). In response to practical value: the
integration of VR technologies enhances the possibilities of
manufacturers to implement various technological solutions
and make this process faster. It helps to transfer the
knowledge acquired into the processes and products as well
as provides better opportunities for using the information
collected at early stages of product or process development
(Bargelis and Baltrusaitis, 2013). VR technology can solve
problems of assembly training such as high equipment costs,
large area requirement, and risky conditions during actual
assembly. It has important significance to reduce costs and
improve efficiency (Hu and Jiang, 2014). Although the VR
technology application scope is broad, and it has huge
potential, but there are still many unsolved theoretical
problems and technical barriers, especially the entity
modeling and real-time interaction will determine the success
of a virtual reality system (HaiJian and WenYao, 2014).
Within the aerospace sector, the savings achieved by
adopting VR are evident in two significant ways. Firstly, the
benefits of using advanced technologies to assist in the
engineering design is a significant sources of time and cost
saving, allowing errors to be detected as early as possible.
Secondly, the extension of digital technologies into the
design process enables it to be more fully integrated with the
‘production’ side of product development (Stone et al., 2011).
With the help of VR, the streamlining and control of data and
information exchange, particularly on large projects, reduces
the scope for bad design due to incorrect information.
The two most explored area of VR application in
manufacturing are virtual prototyping and virtual assembly.
The research is also going on in other manufacturing fields,
such as layout planning, machining, maintenance,
ergonomics, etc. Based on the research work, it can be said
that, VR offers several benefits in the product development
cycle. It covers almost all the product development phases
such as from design until maintenance. The semi-immersive
environment provides a sense of presence, and it is a cost
effective solution for the people who have cyber sickness
with the fully immersive systems (Kiryu and So, 2007).
8. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORKS
At present, virtual reality design technology is one of the
high-tech design methods. It not only can greatly shorten the
product development period, improve design quality, reduce
test and development costs; but it can decrease development
risk. Virtual Assembly technology is developing rapidly. The
path from CAD model development to the product assembly
shows how VR based assembly simulation can be integrated
as an efficient tool into the well-known CAD/CAM
environment.
This paper presented the concepts behind a VR-based virtual
assembly using VR software. The paper successfully presents
virtual assembly of an airplane turbine engine and discusses
the advantage in building virtual reality design system with
the VR software. In addition, the virtual prototype of the
turbine engine is established in a semi-immersive VR
environment, which gives user a sense of presence in a virtual
world.
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VR based assembly is very useful for training when there are
very large components involved such as in aerospace, and
marine industry. VR offers a cost effective and time saving
solution for assembly training and validation.
A user-based study will be performed to evaluate the
developed VR environment. Moreover, it will be used for
assembly training purpose.
9. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This work was supported by NSTIP strategic technologies
Program Number (12-INF2573-02) in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. The authors would like to thank the Advanced
Manufacturing Institute, King Saud University for providing
resources to complete this work.
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