Real-time adaptable technology for virtual simulations
The needs of production, training and visualization are constantly changing... Development is being accelerated, the complexity of projects is growing. Virtualization brings important point of simplification - it allows do research and testing in a physically accurate digital environment.
The principle of operation of virtual simulations
The whole process takes place in real or controlled time, with real or simulated input data and events. Simulation takes place in a digital twin real environment replicating physical properties. It works with the current inputs during the simulation, and its course can be monitored as well as affected by real-time data and user inputs.
1. Data collection in real time
2. Data conversion to working format
3. Data processing in a digital environment
4. Output + connection to related applications
API inputs
Connection to external control systems and databases
User inputs
Manual control and adjustment by workers
Data and input processing module
Conversion of input and process data into a functional form
Processing Engine
Processing a simulation in digital space + collecting acquired data
3D Virtual space
3D virtual space replicating a real environment
Physics engine
Specialized physics for a specific simulation
Output
in the required visual and data format
- Gaming engine module
- Specialized solution module
Key aspects of simulations in virtual space
The purpose of the virtual simulation is to replace the physical space full of complexity and externalities with a simplified digital model, which, however, reflects all relevant properties of the real world.
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Virtual reality
Replacing the real environment and machines with trusted digital twins
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Real-time processing
Monitoring and evaluation of ongoing simulations and the possibility of instant interventions in their run
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Open environment
Support for connecting external services and programming own functionalities
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Mathematical verification
Specialized physics engine processing results with a high degree of accuracy
Benefits of running virtual simulations
The fundamental advantages come from the digital dimension of the simulation → all the details of the environment, product and events are in full control of the development team's needs. This leads to the following:
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Improved productivity
The digital format streamlines employee training, product development and testing of changes in the production process.
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Financial efficiency
Increased productivity further supported by unlimited simulation capabilities leads to significant cost reductions.
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Easy scalability
Simulation, testing and training in virtual reality is not limited by most physical constraints.
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Opening new opportunities
In VR it is possible to simulate, test, create and verify anything that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, in the normal world.
The technologies used
Game Engines
A game engine is a software specialized in the development of 2D and 3D applications requiring real-time image rendering. While the original focus of the engines was on games, today's most advanced engines are already being developed with cross-industry use in mind - they have become open 3D content platforms.
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a game engine developed by Epic Games. It's development started in 1995.
Unity Engine
Unity Engine is a game engine developed by Unity Technologies. The first version of the engine was released in 2005.
The two game engines mentioned above were created with different goals in mind, which historically led to differences that are blurring over time. Today, it is possible to use both game engines in a wide range of product development, but there are still minor differences. We compared the two game engines in article Unreal vs Unity - Comparison of the most popular game engines.
Physics Engines
Physics engines take care of the maximum realistic replication of the behaviour of bodies and environments, recalculated at the maximum possible frequency.
General physics
Basic physics implemented natively in the game engine. It is suitable for low-impact simulations where the behavior of individual objects is not a case of exploration.
Algoryx
Simulation physics from Algoryx Simulation AB, with development beginning in 2007 at Umeå University in Sweden. In addition to its implementation in Ansys SpaceClaim simulation software, it is now also available for the Unity and Unreal game engines.
Prespective
Simulation physics from Dutch developer Unit040. The origins of development date back to 2006. The focus of the physics is mainly on digital-twin applications.
Databases
The database is used to store, manage and filter large amounts of data in an performance efficient way.
MySql
Open-source relational SQL database.
MongoDB
NoSQL database system working with JSON-based document format.
Web applications
The web interface is used for easy management and presentation across devices.
Webpack
JavaScript module bundler
Stylus
Stylesheet preprocessor
AMP Framework
Accelerated mobile pages
PWA
Progressive Web app
Server applications
Back-end technologies
Express JS
Framework for for building web applications and APIs.
Other software
FlexSim
All-in-one Simulation Software