Efficient design of truck assembly processes with Virtual- and Mixed Reality

High flexibility,quick respond to design technology and demand changes is required in the international truck market. Due to higher wage costs, European production sites need also efficient and well organized assembly processes with short ramp up times. This paper details the implementation of a touchable Virtual Reality System which combines virtuality and reality. This special Mixed Reality technology is based on a three-wall CAVE with a tracking system, a Virtual Reality Software from ICIDO and real touchable devices made of transparent acrylic glass. The project team investigated the practicability of acrylic glass-devices as an interface between the real and the virtual world. With that CAVE it becomes possible to simulate, analyze and optimize assembly processes in a very early development phase. The operator is able to feel totally involved in the virtual scene by simulate a mounting process in a physically realistic way.