SYSTEMS AND METHODS PROVIDING AN ENHANCED USER EXPERIENCE IN A REAL-TIME SIMULATED VIRTUAL REALITY WELDING ENVIRONMENT
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- generating a virtual weld joint having a virtual weld bead using a virtual reality welding system, wherein the virtual weld joint is represented within the virtual reality welding system as a first digital data set; and
generating a three-dimensional (3D) digital model representative of at least a portion of the virtual weld joint using the first digital data set on the virtual reality welding system, wherein the 3D digital model is operatively compatible with a 3D printing system.
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Abstract
A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of displaying the simulated weld puddle on the display device in real-time.
19 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating a virtual weld joint having a virtual weld bead using a virtual reality welding system, wherein the virtual weld joint is represented within the virtual reality welding system as a first digital data set; and generating a three-dimensional (3D) digital model representative of at least a portion of the virtual weld joint using the first digital data set on the virtual reality welding system, wherein the 3D digital model is operatively compatible with a 3D printing system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A virtual reality welding system, comprising:
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a programmable processor-based subsystem configured to generate a virtual reality environment for a virtual welding operation; a spatial tracker operatively coupled to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to identify a position of an object in space; a mock welding tool configured to be tracked by the spatial tracker while being manipulated by a user performing the virtual welding operation within the virtual reality environment; a display device configured to be tracked by the spatial tracker and to display at least a portion of the virtual reality environment; and a communication device enabling communication between the virtual reality welding system and a three-dimensional (3D) printing system, wherein the virtual reality welding system is configured to generate a 3D model of a virtual weld joint created by the user in the virtual reality environment and communicate the 3D model to the 3D printing system for manufacture. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
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a 3D printer configured to manufacture a 3D physical model of an object from a digital representation of the object; and a virtual reality welding system in communication with the 3D printer, the virtual reality welding system includes; a programmable processor-based subsystem configured to generate a virtual reality environment for a virtual welding operation performable by a user to create a virtual weld joint; a spatial tracker wirelessly connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to identify a position of an object in space; and a mock welding tool wirelessly coupled to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to be tracked by the spatial tracker while being manipulated by a user performing the virtual welding operation within the virtual reality environment, wherein the virtual reality welding system is configured to generate a 3D model based on the virtual weld joint and communicate the 3D model to the 3D printer to create a 3D physical model of the weld joint. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification