Development of a machine tool simulator based on VR

Abstract

In the manufacturing industry, various types of machine tools are widely used by many engineers. Some inexperienced users of machine tools, such as students and trainees, operate machine tools when they are training to acquire skills. However, machine tools have mechanisms that rotate at high speed and exert large forces, which can be dangerous for inexperienced users, and therefore safe training of personnel is required. Virtual reality (VR) is inexpensive compared to machine tools and can provide an immersive training environment for a large number of personnel. In this study, we developed a training system for machining training in a virtual space for a desktop milling machine tool. Based on the input NC program, the movement of each axis and the rotation of the main axis are represented, associated with the control panel by C# script. As a training function, interference between the tool and workpiece, hand contact with the tool, and overrun of each axis are determined by interference checks for each part, and an interface is created that displays warnings on the user's line of sight. In addition, the machined shape is reproduced by using a function called “stencil” in Unity. Furthermore, in order to realize the digital twin, the behavior of the actual machine and that of the virtual machine can be synchronized using TCP/IP, and the behavior of the table of the actual machine tool can be monitored.

Keywords

• virtual reality (vr)
• training system
• machine tools
• tcp/ip