Bottom-line savings
Beyond advances on the software front, hardware like lower-cost 3D printers and new kinds of immersive devices are shaking up what has traditionally been thought of as 3D visualization.
Consider Infinite Z (another previous subject), which makes the zSpace immersive, interactive 3D environment that uses virtual-holographic 3D imagery to bring product designs to life. The zSpace platform, which comprises a proprietary stereoscopic display, trackable eyewear, and a new type of direct interaction stylus, works in concert with the company's software to display objects that appear solid in open spaces, allowing the engineer or designer to manipulate them directly as if they were physical objects.
Because the zSpace virtual-holographic objects look remarkably similar to real objects, engineers can explore 3D models in ways that were not possible using traditional input devices, according to Veejay Gahir, Infinite Z's director of global manufacturing.
"A 3D image in zSpace gives you an extra level of detail and an environment so realistic that you can set a product up in a perspective as a user would see it. You can't do that in CAD," Gahir told us. Engineers can also employ the technology as part of early design reviews to visualize if there are potential tooling issues or if a particular gap in the design causes problems with usability. "Things can surface downstream in the design process, and you spend a lot of money reworking. The net result here is early visualization of potential problems resulting in savings."
Morgan Motor Co. has also cut development costs through its aggressive use of 3D visualization technology. Its traditional process involved interpreting 2D sketches by eye into panel-beaten aluminum bodies -- a labor-intensive technique that required skilled craftsmen and had little margin for in-process design changes. Today the combination of Autodesk's Alias, Autodesk Showcase, and Autodesk 3ds Max enables the British automaker to transform ideas rapidly into 3D digital prototypes and then into actual concept cars.
The 3D visualization suite allows the engineering team to put a variety of concept designs out there for evaulation and feedback by employees and potential customers. "More 3D visualization capabilities means we can do a variety of different options very fast and go through five or six different design proposals without going through the traditional process of carving clay," Humphries said.
Morgan has been steadily expanding its use of 3D visualization tools over the years, and the technology is really starting to come into its own, he said. "When we first started using it five years ago, you could capture the general look and feel. Today, we’re getting to the point where some people question whether what they’re seeing is real or not."
Hi Beth, My company is Well Planned Web and we've interviewed many of MediaLab's clients, such as Whirlpool, Black & Decker, NetGear and Kohler to learn more about how 3D models and animation has benefitted them. This was all part of the Case Study process. Their engineers have been thrilled with the results — especially in the warranty and customer service arenas. I don't want to seem like I'm pitching things too much here :) — but happy to post links to those case studies if you'd like. Extremely compelling stats and results of using 3D models, animation, etc. Just let me know!
Indeed, Beth, we've learned in our work with MediaLab 3D Solutions that an enormous amount of money can be saved by opting for high-quality 3D models over building prototypes, scheduling shoots, etc. The inevitable product spec changes and tweaks are also far less painful when using 3D — it's a matter of tweaking the 3D file, not starting back at the very expensive "Square 1!"
TJ: I totally agree with your analysis of how things are evolving going forward with the marriage of stronger 3D visualization and 3D printing. I always think you are spot on with the notion that physical prototyping doesn't go away. Every engineering organization I've talked to that has moved forward with a virtual prototyping approach says the benefits are being able to pursue more design instances more quickly and get to an optiimzed set, which are further proved out in physical prototyping. Essentially saving the costly and time consuming physical prototypes for the good stuff.
Beth, I love computer visualizations. So many different iterations can be tested to find the right one, and not have a huge scrap heap of discarded models. That is the strength of 3D visualization.
Infinite-Z's product is going to open new vistas for this, and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one (no pun intended).
However, there will always be physical mockups. At the very least, drivers will want to sit at the wheel. Pilots will want to climb into the cockpit. Just the act of walking around the real mockup makes the concept being viewed more real. Computer simulations suffer from the uncanny valley effect; mockups do not.
The way to take the strong points of 3D visualization and tie themt to phyiscal mockups will be the 3D printers we've been discussing this year. But for a full mockup of a vehicle, I see a future with large format printers.
It's the ability to visualize highly realistic models in 3D along with the highly advanced collaboration capabilities that enables these smaller firms to gain an edge and not have to pour all the time and energy into building expensive prototypes. That's really at the heart of the technology's promise.
Morgan's three-wheeler is a great example of the power of this technology. To think that Morgan is designing and building a vehicle like this with a staff of ten engineers is mind-boggling.
Laura Sapiens' Ego! Smartmouse offers users a unique interactive experience by providing 2D and 3D connectivity, hardware identity authentication, data storage, and more.
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