Mill Instructor: Teaching Industrial CNC Procedures Using Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) holds great potential for new didactic concepts in teaching, since environments, information and objects can be represented and manipulated digitally. Especially when it comes to training environments that include potentially dangerous processes, are expensive or bring the risk of damage to important tools, VR offers an alternative way of approaching a new subject. This paper presents a VR-application used in the studies of mechanical engineering. It includes the virtual representation of a Hermle CNC C42U milling machine, which serves to acquire basic knowledge in controlling such a system, avoiding safety risks and logistical constraints. Results from an evaluation with the target group show a good usability and (perceived) impact on the user’s learning gain.