Virtual prototyping

Virtual prototyping will be the future method to develop new reactors and chemical processes. With a good description of the fluid dynamics, and mass and heat transfer in the reactor, the specific chemical reactions and physical properties of the fluid can be changed and a process optimization can be performed in virtual... 

The CFD simulations should be linked with the rate-based process simulator, providing important information on the process hydrodynamics in the form of correlations for mass transfer coefficients, specific contact area, liquid holdup, residence time distribution, and pressure drop. An ability to obtain these correlation via the purely theoretical way rather than by the traditional experimental one should be considered a significant advantage, because this brings a principal opportunity to virtually prototyping of new optimized internals for reactive separations. 

In the three decades since digital computers were first used to predict electrochemical current distribution [66], the power and availability of computers have expanded to an almost unbelievable extent. Today, computers are employed to design and manufacture many products (not the least important among which are computers themselves). All evidence suggests that this trend will continue, and that advanced technology will depend more and more on simulation and virtual prototyping. 

New, powerful CAD technologies make it possible to check design varieties in real time employing virtual reality tools. The use of virtual prototypes, especitilly in the early phases of product development, enables time- and cost-efiBcient decision making. 

To sum up, creating physical or virtual prototypes of the entire system is of utmost importance, especially in the early phases of the product-development process. The extensive use of prototypes provides a structure, a discipline and an approach that increases the rate of learning and integration within the development process. 

The visualization of virtual prototypes calls for the processing of the data with dependence on the visualization techniques. Apart from purely realistic visuaUzation, complexity-reducing models and symbolic visualization are used as well. Mixed models of both methods are most widely spread. Metaphors for visualization of simulation results, for example, are used in FEM aneilysis (overlaying of paint leveling) or the representation of paint coat thickness in robot simulation (Brown 1996). 

Aspects of asynchronous and synchronous object management in a distributed environment and the data models for the manipulation of lead time have thus far been in the foreground in systems for designing objects in a virtual work environment. Here, the data models are oriented by existing CAD standards or they focus on application protocols for the product data model STEP, with these protocols still to be developed. These systems are also not frilly immersive, but they are monitor based in connection with relevant 3D input tools (e.g., space mouse, trackball). Handling aspects of virtual prototypes in an immersive VE have been studied, for example, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Dani and Gadh 1996). 

Physical prototypes are used for testing and evaluation of product properties in the early development stages of product development. VR permits testing and evaluation to be conducted in virtual prototypes. The objective is to avoid physical prototypes if possible. Research is being conducted in the automotive and aerospace industries (Leston et al. 1996). Apart from purely design-oriented tasks, efforts are also being made to conduct physical materials tests, such as crash tests, in virtual proto-... 

Tools and methods that are used in VE and that permit information to be obtained about the product in the early development phases offer attractive optimization potentials (time, costs, quality) in engineering. Among other things, in the foreground here are product aspects and features that essentially permit qualitative information to be obtained (e.g., formal aspects) and can be primarily assessed by evaluation (e.g., motion spaces in connection with capability of assembly). Human interaction with the virtual prototypes and human perception and immersion in the VE is decisive for handling the tasks on hand (Figure 2). The verification of qualitative information has normally been possible so far only on the basis of real, physical prototypes. 

Rapid product development (RPD) shortens the feedback control cycles concerned with product data generation and the associated management processes. RPD exploits the potential of modem information and communication tools in order to support the necessary dynamic cooperation structures. Development times are systematically shortened by means of a holistic integration of man, organization, and technology. The learning processes can be systematically relocated to early product development phases. As a result of generative methods of production and virtual reality, physical and virtual prototypes can be made quickly available. 

Virtual prototypes (VP) are defined as a computer-based simulation of a technical system or subsystem with a degree of functional behavior which is comparable to corresponding physical pro-... 

In the years since this experience, computer simulation of bottle molding and subsequent performance has grown increasingly sophisticated. The ability to design and evaluate virtual prototypes has been essential for continued developments in light-weighting of bottles and the economic benefits that result. 

Virtual methods also called Virtual Prototyping (VP), they consist in the analysis and simulation carried out on a fuUy developed computer model, therefore performing the same tests as those on the physical prototypes (Chua et al. 1999). 

Oma CK, Teh SH, Gay RKL (1999) Rapid prototyping versus virtual prototyping in product design and manufacturing. Int J Adv Manuf Technol... 

The virtual prototype is sometimes cited as the virtual product. 

Technical advancement in anaif fibres and fabrics, materials processing, virtual prototyping and manufiicturing CAD solutions, each have their place in innovative design and co-operative R D product development Compressive stretch garment technology is, in evolutionary terms, relatively new. 

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