Linking cad modeler and xR engine for digital twin-based collaborative robotic assembly

Abstract:
Production paradigm of mass customization and development of highly complex products impose the need for development and using xR technologies in manufacturing. Immersive technologies (xR) are currently the best solution for human-machine interfaces and as such are great candidate for further development and usage in industry. In this paper, a way of integration between CAD modeler and xR development engine will be shown. For CAD modeler, SolidWorks software is chosen, which is well known as one of the most widely used engineering design tools, and for the xR development system is used Unity. Even thou SolidWorks offers great capabilities it still lacks proper xR technologies interfaces which can connect HMD xR interfaces(e. g. Facebook Oculus Rift). Using Unity API library and SolidWorks SDK digital twin system is created which allows remotely xR interaction between CAD and XR models.