AR-assisted in situ machining simulation: architecture and implementation

Abstract

This paper presents a novel implementation of machining simulation in a real machining environment applying Augmented Reality (AR) technology. This in situ machining simulation system allows a machinist to analyze the simulation process, adjust the machining parameters, and observe the results in realtime in a real machining environment. Such a system is useful for machinists and trainees during the trial and learning stages, allowing them to experiment with different machining parameters on a real machine without having to worry about possibilities of machine and tool breakages. Two main functional modules in the system, namely, the tracking and registration module and the physical simulation module are presented in this paper. Experiments and a survey were conducted to validate and evaluate the performance of the system.