IRMA
From EuroVR Knowledge Base
- Full name
- A configurable virtual reality system for multi-purpose industrial manufacturing applications
- Acronym
- IRMA
- Website
- http://www.project-irma.com
- Keywords
- Virtual Factory, Training, Simulation, Process Control, Product Design
- Budget
- € Over 8 million
- Start date
- 3/1/2000
- End date
- 2/28/2004
Contents |
Partners
- BNFL, UK
- The University of Nottingham, UK
- CSSI, France
- Delfoi Oy, Finland
- Fraunhofer Institute-IML, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute-IPA, Germany
- Zanussi Electro-Mechanica, Italy
- GFI-Arcitel, Spain
- UTBv, Romania
- SPES, Brasov, Romania
- UJV REZ, Czech Republic
- INTEC, Berne, Switzerland
- ASCOM, Switzerland
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan
- Delmia, Japan
- Waseda University, Japan
Funding Bodies
- EU Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS), Framework 5 Competitive and Sustainable Growth Programme
Contact
- [[Dr Mirabelle D’Cruz (Mirabelle.dcruz@nottingham.ac.uk)
University of Nottingham, UK]] (mailto:useremail@useremail)
Objectives
The key aims of the project were to build, integrate, demonstrate and evaluate VR
‘application demonstrators’ which reflect different but complementary aspects of industrial manufacturing, and integrate different commercially available software simulation tools with Virtual Environment software (VEs) that support real-time, two-way, interaction.
In order to meet this aim, a technical solution involving the integration of commercial simulation packages such as Delmia’s QUESTTM , IGRIPTM and a number of VE applications were attempted. In addition the project has the aim of developing a secure VR data-transfer software solution suitable for site to site transmission and receipt of the simulation world(SW) and VE messaging via phone lines, VPN or the internet.
The project technical aims were:
- To develop a flexible generic IRMA core module which allows real-time, two-way messaging between several commercial simulation software applications and a number of interactive virtual environments(VE’s)
- To develop a number of different but complementary interactive industrial VE demonstrators allowing real-time two way communications via a range of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI’s) eg stereo projection screen, stereo-headset, joystick, space mouse, glove, haptics et al.
- The real-time, two-way, semi or fully immersive and interactive industrial software application demonstrators involve:
- Industrial control and monitoring of manufacturing plant(BNFL)
- Industrial training of supervisors and maintenance operators for manufacturing plant fault recognition and repair(ZEM)
- A free-form design interactive immersive design application(INTEC)
- A visualisation application for the modelling and simulation of structures under simulated earth-quake conditions(UTBv)
- A visualisation application for the modelling, simulation and prediction of rotating machinery life under fault conditions(UJV Rez)
- To develop a compatible, secure Virtual Reality(VR) data transmission software solution suitable for site to site transmission of VR application and controlling simulation software data
- To evaluate the utility and suitability of some of the solutions for application in the industrial manufacturing context
Main Results
Project IRMA has been very successful in delivering the range of technical solutions planned. In summary, the following have been delivered:
- A complete set of specification documents detailing the IRMA technical solution software modules and application demonstrator software modules
- The generic IRMA module software solution which has been integrated with commercial simulation software applications, commercial communications software, commercial and proprietary VR software, a secure data transfer solution, and industrial hardware
- A secure data transfer and management software solution compatible with the VR modules, IRMA technical solution et al.
- The alpha demonstrator VR test facility. This is located at BNFL, UK, and involves a VR demonstration facility, IRMA-BNFL LAN and a range of VR hardware and real Plant
- The industrial control and monitoring application VR software module comprising three scenarios and story-boards allowing real-time interactive two way VR with a range of different HMI’s
- The industrial training application VR software module comprising three scenarios and story-boards allowing supervisor or maintenance operator training on virtual plant for monitoring, diagnosis and repair of fault conditions via interactive VR using a range of different HMI’s
- The integrated Swiss region immersive free-form design application software enabling use of haptic feedback HMI and GUI software allowing flexible design tooling and functionality to aid the immersive design process
- The integrated built-structure analysis visualisation software – which allows interactive visualisation of built structures under simulated earth-quake conditions
- The integrated industrial rotating machinery visualisation software – which allows interactive visualisation of rotating machinery under fault conditions and comparative life prediction functionality
- The Japanese region industrial manufacturing component assembly, planning and costs evaluation software set in the context of ship and gas turbine component manufacturing
- Testing and evaluation reports
- Dissemination activity and literature.; the irma web-site
- New VR development know-how to the development group members
- New know-how and experience to the industrial applications partners
End Users
Evaluation Methodologies
Expert review – internal validation studies by the user companies employing feedback forms
Small on-site experiments based on short presentations, hands-on experience and battery of questionnaires
Design Approach
Human-Centred Design, Task/User Analysis, Storyboarding
Publications
D’Cruz, M., Stedmon, A., Wilson, J., Modern, P. and Sharples, G. (2003) Building Virtual Environments using the Virtual Environment Development Structure: A case study. Proceedings of the Human Computer Interaction International Conference 2003 (HCII2003), 22-27 June 2003, Crete, Greece.
Modern, P., Stedmon, A., D’Cruz, M., Wilson, J. and Sharples, G. (2003) The factory of the future? The integration of virtual reality for advanced industrial applications. Proceedings of the Human Computer Interaction International Conference 2003 (HCII2003), 22-27 June 2003, Crete, Greece.
Stedmon, A., D’Cruz, M., Tromp, J. and Wilson, J. (2003) Two methods and a case study: Human factors evaluations for virtual environments. Proceedings of the Human Computer Interaction International Conference 2003 (HCII2003), 22-27 June 2003, Crete, Greece.
