The complete process chain from design study through engineering and simulation to the prototype will be demonstrated live. ICIDO is building a virtual-engineering scenario that allows the vehicle to be tested in its future operating environment during development, entirely virtually.
Product development and manufacturing planning already rely extensively on digital methods. Companies use them to reduce prototype counts, bring products to market faster and lower costs. Virtual reality makes digital information tangible and allows products that do not yet physically exist to be examined and assessed.
ICIDO performs that role within the RapidX special exhibition, which demonstrates networked engineering to visitors. The company first conducts an ergonomic assessment of the forklift cab.
Wearing 3D glasses, visitors can follow the virtual installation of the steering wheel and control console in the cab model.
A virtual driver then tests the cab’s ergonomics, including steering-wheel reach and visibility. The second step examines the complete vehicle in its future warehouse environment. The simulation checks whether the forklift fits the layout, can move through the aisles and can reach the racks and compartments. ICIDO’s Visual Decision Platform is intended to identify and resolve potential development problems before physical implementation.
RapidX takes place from 21 to 25 April 2008 at Digital Factory in Hall 17, Stand C60. Stations in the networked product-development process are operated by Autodesk, Gotha Design, CADEXperience, ICIDO, E&H Formtechnik Entwicklung, EOS and SolidCAM.
