The Virtual Assembly Technology Consortium (VATC) is aimed at bringing together industry, government agencies, and universities to address research, technology development, technology deployment, and standards issues related to the use of virtual reality, digital prototyping, modeling and simulation, and visualization techniques to plan, evaluate, and verify assembly processes for mechanical systems. The primary focus will be on mid-size to large scale mechanical systems (including automotive, aerospace, earth-moving, and machine tool equipment and their components). The goals of this Consortium are as follows:
1. Perform research on the development and application of virtual assembly tools – both immersive and non-immersive.
2. Continuously monitor, evaluate, and, in specific instances, drive the development of new commercial virtual assembly tools (hardware and software).
3. Define and influence the creation and acceptance of assembly representation standards through joint efforts with NIST.
4. Perform pilot studies on using these advanced technologies and tools in process definition (i.e. how to best assemble the various components) and assist Consortium members in demonstrating and validating these technologies and tools. Perform research and studies in the use of immersive, manual assembly simulation and planning software systems (e.g. using VADE), identify further areas of research and development, perform the associated research, implement prototype systems, and perform pilot studies.
5. Perform integration-related research and development to allow the synergistic use of the capabilities and functionality of current engineering systems (CAD, VR, visualization, assembly, etc.) to achieve the overall functionality required for deployment of virtual assembly within each member organization.
6. Maintain a password protected web page at WSU
for monitoring progress on research items and for exchange of ideas and
information between Consortium members.