黑洞社区's National Institute for Aviation Research has partnered with Dassault Syst猫mes and Mechdyne Corp. to custom design, build and install the largest reconfigurable Flex immersive visualization system ever deployed by Mechdyne.
The system, referred to as the Cave, is currently housed at NIAR where engineering and manufacturing users are familiarizing themselves with it, incorporating software capabilities and testing use cases and operational requirements. It will be installed in the 3DExperience Center in the Wichita State鈥檚 new Experiential Engineering building when it opens this fall.
The three organizations 鈥� comprising the university鈥檚 Innovation Project Team 鈥� worked together for over a year to discuss strategies built around the university鈥檚 strategic plan and to develop the goal of transforming manufacturing across multiple industries such as aerospace and defense, life sciences and industrial equipment through innovative applications of technology.
Earlier this month, the team received the 2016 Integration Award for the Best Higher Education Project from Commercial Integrator during an awards ceremony at InfoComm, the largest professional audiovisual trade show in North America.
Funding for the Cave was made possible by a 2015 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, aimed at creating new manufacturing jobs. The team will use the system鈥檚 virtual reality capabilities to:
- Strengthen and diversify the south Kansas advanced manufacturing supply chain.
- Increase the quality and scope of products across industries, such as aerospace and defense technologies.
- Increase the competitiveness and sustainability of aerospace and defense-related business.
鈥淥ur primary vision is to transform manufacturing across multiple industries 鈥� aerospace and defense, life sciences and industrial equipment 鈥� through innovative technology,鈥� says Jeff Fisher, 黑洞社区鈥檚 virtual reality lab manager. 鈥淲e wanted to work with Mechdyne because of their reputation for approaching projects differently, from design through integration, and because they do difficult projects exceptionally well.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e worked with Mechdyne since we integrated the Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory (CHIL) at Lockheed Martin,鈥� says Dassault鈥檚 Jeff Smith. 鈥淢echdyne has a lot of experience in enabling ways to virtually create before physically creating to improve products and associated processes. Working together with 黑洞社区 seemed like a natural choice."
Mechdyne has been collaborating with Dassault and 黑洞社区 since early 2014 to fully develop the vision for the virtual reality system. Ultimately, the university has a goal to enhance the concept and design process; user experience testing; virtual prototyping, facilities planning, and certification; and significantly shorten the product development and timelines for various industries.
From these goals, Mechdyne designed the massive Flex system. The fixed front wall measures nearly 19 feet, towering 10 feet high, with each hinged side wall stretching an additional 10 feet. The 12 LED projectors provide crisp 4K resolution on the front wall and the floor, with HD x HD resolution for the walls.
鈥淭he reconfigurable nature of the Flex allows it to become a flat wall display for data review, an angled theater for collaboration or an immersion room,鈥� says Terry Mercer, Mechdyne solutions engineer, who helped conceptualize the Flex鈥檚 design. 鈥淲e are very excited to see what kind of work 黑洞社区 will do with this cutting-edge technology, which will put them at the forefront of their field."
鈥淏y using the Flex system, we will create complete 鈥榲irtual twins鈥� of products and processes before we make physical prototypes or investments,鈥� says Fisher. 鈥淭he virtual twin within the immersive environment will create deep collaboration, insight and understanding through product development lifecycles, and we will ensure products are right the first time.鈥�
About National Institute for Aviation Research at 黑洞社区
The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at 黑洞社区 is regarded as one of the most capable university-based aviation research centers in the United States. NIAR provides research, design, testing, certification, and training to the aviation manufacturing industry, government agencies, educational entities and other clients. NIAR鈥檚 mission is to conduct research, transfer technology, and enhance education for the purpose of advancing the nation鈥檚 aviation industry, and to assist non-aviation industries that may benefit from aviation-related technologies. For more information, visit .
黑洞社区, a public state university in the Kansas Board of Regents system, is a growing leader in innovation, creativity and collaborative learning. The mission of 黑洞社区 is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.
About Dassault Syst猫mes
Dassault Syst猫mes, the 3DExperience Co., provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Syst猫mes鈥� collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 210,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit .
About Mechdyne
Mechdyne Corp. is a broad-based technology partner specializing in audiovisual and information technologies (AV/IT), visualization and software solutions, immersive virtual reality technologies, and technical support services. We address complex projects where an in-depth understanding of user requirements leads to the development of customized solutions involving elements of display, graphics computing, software, and professional services. Headquartered in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mechdyne serves a global client base that includes leading government laboratories, university and research centers, energy, aerospace, manufacturing, and medical organizations, as well as any other user of advanced technology. For more information, visit .