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Virtual reality is an emerging technology with the potential for many engineering applications including machinery simulation. In this paper the writers describe the hardware and software components of a virtual reality system that simulates machinery. They detail the flow of information that occurs in this system and discuss the functioning of an existing system at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Finally, they describe potential uses of virtual reality in product design, manufacturing, training and marketing.

ROPS-TEST is a newly developed, interactive, graphics program that may be used to simulate testing of roll bars. Cross-sections that it currently supports include solid rectangular, rectangular tubing, and circular tubing. ROPS-TEST can be used to simulate testing for crush, rear and side loading. Output from ROPS-TEST includes load-deflection and strain energy-deflection plots. ROPS-TEST does not replace actual testing of prototype roll bars. Rather it serves as a design tool to select the best design options for a particular application prior to actual testing of the prototype roll bars.

Commercial software is now available for the dynamic simulation of industrial equipment using microcomputers. Applications in this paper include simulation of a backhoe work cycle, backhoe trench leveling and machine rollover. Key features of the software include interactive plots of response in color graphics, multiple frame displays of machine motion and on-the-fly changes of design parameters. In addition animation gives an added dimension of understanding to the machine motion under study.

Industry sponsored research and development benefits both industry and engineering institutions. The focus of this paper is on these benefits, the keys to a successful relationship and on suggestions for improved performance for future projects. Two recent cases illustrate the benefits of this relationship.