Development of a VR-Based Digital Factory Planning Platform for Dynamic 3D Layout Editing

Procedia CIRP, vol. 130, pp. 419–426

Abstract

Factory planning plays a critical role in the optimization of manufacturing processes. Recent technological advances, especially in Virtual Reality, offer potential to enhance planning efficiency and to meet evolving planning standards and requirements. Current challenges persist due to technological gaps in virtual environments for factory planning. These challenges encompass mismatches between digital models and actual systems, difficulties in managing dynamic layout edition, scalable factory designs, real-time simulations, and more. This study addresses these challenges by introducing the VR-based Digital Factory Planning Platform, which utilizes Unreal Engine for rendering, VR support, and programming interfaces. The Digital Factory Planning Platform features three key functionalities: dynamic 3D layout editing, a data exchange connection for mathematical optimization solutions, and VR visualization of scalable layouts. We validate these functionalities through two case studies. The platform evaluation process with factory planning experts encompasses usability, accuracy, and practicality metrics, providing insights into the impact on factory planning processes. Using VR and Unreal Engine capabilities in developing the Digital Factory Planning Platform supports improved decision-making and resource utilization in manufacturing. This research contributes to the industrial application of virtual environments, particularly the use of VR for factory planning, thereby paving the way for enhanced planning of manufacturing processes. The Digital Factory Planning Platform aims to enhance planning efficiency by aligning VR technology with industry needs and addressing the specific challenges in factory planning tasks.

Authors 5

1. Michael Riesener Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Esben Schukat Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Luis A. Curiel-Ramirez corresponding Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Niklas Schäfer Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Ariana Valdez-Heras Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University · Tecnológico de Monterrey

   Affiliation as printed

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Campus-Boulevard 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849 Monterrey, Mexico