Menelaos Pappas

Development of a web-based collaboration platform for manufacturing product and process design evaluation using virtual reality techniques

This paper describes the development of a web-based platform for collaborative process and product design evaluation. The distributed collaborative design evaluation (DiCoDEv) platform provides real-time collaboration of multiple users at different sites on the same project. The innovation concept of this platform lies in the use of virtual reality (VR) technology for the development of the working display environment that provides also navigation, immersion and interaction capabilities for all collaborative users in real time. The scope of this work is to provide an efficient robust collaboration tool for the real-time validation of a manufacturing product or process, from the early stages of the conceptual design until the latest stages of the production chain. In order to demonstrate the benefits of the virtual collaboration that DiCoDEv platform can provide for manufacturing, a pilot case with a VR environment has been developed based on the requirements of a ‘real life’ manufacturing company.

Ergonomic Evaluation Of Virtual Assembly Tasks

This paper investigates the use of Virtual Reality and Human Simulation technologies for the ergonomic evaluation of manual assembly tasks. Within this concept, a virtual environment has been developed for the realistic representation of assembly stations into which digital humans can be imported and used to evaluate assembly executions in terms of ergonomics aspects. The industrial need lies on the reduction of process time and on the ergonomic optimization of the assembly workstations. The use of this environment enables the identification of critical steps during an assembly execution, which provides stress to humans resulting in increased assembly times and over wearied operators. A real life assembly task of a commercial refrigerator has been simulated and presented in order to demonstrate environment capabilities.

A web-based platform for collaborative product design and evaluation

This paper presents a web-based integrated platform for supporting the collaborative product design activities. An overview of the overall Digital Factory framework, in which the Collaborative Prototype Designer (CPD) resides, has been given first. Next, the CPDs functional architecture is presented including the way it addresses the needs for collaboration during the product design process. The CPD is based on the integration of a spectrum of technologies, including Content Management, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR/AR) and Decision Support, through a Web-based user friendly interface. The major contribution of the proposed approach is the CPDs flexible architecture, which takes into consideration the design needs of both mechanical and nonmechanical products and it is therefore, considered being applicable to a wide range of products. It integrates design activities, processes, methods and tools in a modular feature, easy to be used and be enhanced even further. The CPD mainly aims at SMEs that usually cannot afford an expensive commercial solution, for supporting of the collaborative product design.

A Web and Virtual Reality-based Platform for Collaborative Product Review and Customisation

This chapter describes the conceptual framework and development of a web-based platform for supporting collaborative product review, customisation and demonstration within a virtual/augmented reality environment. The industrial needs related to this platform are first outlined and a short overview is given on recent research work. The conceptual framework of the web-based platform is then presented. The design and implementation are discussed, providing insight into the architecture and communication aspects, the building blocks of the platform and its functionality. An indicative “use case” illustrates how this approach and tools have been applied to the collaborative review, demonstration and customisation of products from the textiles industry. Finally, conclusions are drawn with respect to the potential benefits from the use of the web-based platform in addressing the needs of collaborative product development activities.

A Web and Virtual Reality Based Paradigm for Collaborative Management and Verification of Design Knowledge

This chapter presents a paradigm for collaborative management and verification of design knowledge through a platform that is based on the seamless integration of Web services and Virtual Reality technology. The DiCoDEv (Distributed Collaborative Design Evaluation) platform enables online collaboration among distributed design expert groups or individuals, through a shared virtual environment. The developed platform supports efficient knowledge management and facilitates synchronous and asynchronous communication during the whole design phase of a new product. The use of Virtual Reality enables the advanced multi-user visualization and interaction with the virtual prototype. The aim of this work is to present a robust Web-based collaboration tool for the efficient use of designer’s knowledge for improving the group decision making capabilities during the product development.

Multi-criteria upper-body human motion adaptation

Computer-aided simulation of human motion has enabled the integration of human factors in the evaluation of product, process and workplace designs. Realistic human motion simulation can be generated on the basis of existing captured motion. The objective of this work is the development of a new approach for adapting a given motion of a digital human model to new anthropometrics and environment constraints. In order to achieve this objective an algorithm, based on multi-criteria decision making, has been conceptualized and implemented. The proposed algorithm is based on the evaluation of randomly generated human postures, with a number of criteria suitable for preserving desirable qualities of the initial motion while the new constraints are being satisfied. The multi-criteria human motion adaptation (MCMA) algorithm is tested in a pilot case that investigates the opening of a car door from the drivers seated position. The evaluation demonstrates the prediction capabilities of the algorithm, when anthropometrics and environment parameters are modified. The algorithm generates accurate and realistic human motions that can be used in computer-aided design for ergonomics.

A New Concept for Collaborative Product & Process Design within a Human-oriented Collaborative Manufacturing Environment

The paper discusses the introduction of an innovative human-oriented Collaborative Manufacturing Environment (CME) into the next generation of digital manufacturing. Following an overview of the current state-of-the-art, the conceptual background of the overall CME has been given. The CME will provide support for data analysis, visualisation, advanced inter-action and presence, ergonomic analysis, and collaborative decision-making. The paper also focuses on the module supporting of the collaborative product and process design. The innovative aspect, being the seam-less integration of virtual reality and decision making principles is also analyzed. The module will help “define” the proper solutions to the design or re-conceptualization problems, based on collaborative interactions and testing, which can occur in virtual environments.