State-of-the-art visualisation suite opens at the AFRC

AFRC VR suite 5 (1)
AFRC VR suite 5 (1)

The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) has opened a state-of-the-art digital visualisation suite at its premises in Inchinnan next to Glasgow Airport.

The suite, designed and kitted out by the centre’s tier one partner Virtalis, is reported to be a first in Scotland with its set of capabilities available for commercial research and development work.

The visualisation suite is the latest addition to the AFRC’s armoury of industrial scale kit and digital manufacturing capability. It sees the centre integrate fully-immersive virtual and augmented reality technologies with the wider industry 4.0/Smart manufacturing theme. This technology has the ability to significantly help companies in terms of planning for the future and making better decisions.

 

The centrepiece of the suite is a 10m² Virtalis Active Wall, a fixed 3D stereoscopic projection system with head and hand tracking system that allows multiple users to view 3D content stereoscopically. The centre also has a portable Active Move system that can be taken to industrial premises. The suite’s extensive kit list also includes a HTC Vive, an Oculus Rift and Touch along with numerous pieces of Microsoft, Apple, Google and Samsung equipment.

Speaking about the suite Danny McMahon, AFRC's team lead on digital manufacturing, said: “We’re excited to bring this new capability to the manufacturing sector. The whole industry is seeing a shift towards digital manufacturing in line with the industry 4.0 concept, and visualisation plays a crucial role in this.

“The capabilities we have here at the AFRC can really help manufacturers of all sizes, from all industries embrace digital manufacturing. Working on fully-immersive virtual and augmented reality, we create content for companies allowing them to test different scenarios, such as the use of space, changes to the production line and implementing new equipment. This can help significantly in terms of planning and reducing wasted time, effort and money.

“This is all supported by our capabilities in connectivity in terms of helping companies gain a better understanding of processes and equipment through the Internet of Things.”

Advanced Forming Research Centre https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/advancedformingresearchcentre/

 

Company

AFRC

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