Integration of Mixed Reality to CFD in Industry 4.0: A Manufacturing Design Paradigm
Dimitris Mourtzis, John Angelopoulos, Nikos Panopoulos
Abstract
Simulation, as a pillar technology of Industry 4.0, is a key tool for improving manufacturing processes. Simulation is an indispensable set of technological tools and methods for the successful implementation of digital manufacturing, since it allows for the experimentation and validation of product, process, and system design and configuration. The value of simulation is evident, especially in today’s volatile manufacturing environment, which is influenced by globalization and ever-increasing demands for higher levels of product customization and personalization. Moreover, a significant manufacturing issue is the interoperability and communication among the several simulation tools. To that end, an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) framework for simulation and visualization of selected monitored values based on Mixed Reality (MR) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in a cloud-computing environment for intuitive data visualization on smart devices is presented in this paper. As such, in light of the possibilities offered by digital technologies such as CFD simulation, smart factories can gain a competitive advantage because of the low cost, low risk, and the provided useful insights. The range of CFD applications encountered in process manufacturing and engineering varies greatly depending on the industry. Summarizing, this review paper identifies the gaps in current practices, and future trends and challenges to be met on the field are outlined. The contribution of the research work extends to the proposal of a workflow for the integration of Mixed Reality (MR) to the CFD simulation, in an attempt to create simulation holograms on the user’s field of view.