Virtual facility layout design: The value of an interactive three-dimensional representation
Robert P. Smith, Joseph A. Heim · International Journal of Production Research · 1999
This paper describes a design environment that has been constructed to evaluate the use of virtual reality (VR) technologies for manufacturing facility design. It is observed that for manufacturing environments where the third dimension is critical to system performance, interactive three-dimensional display systems are better able to convey the information needed by facility designers. We describe several user environment design choices that seem to be appropriate for this type of application. The development of this system has indicated several areas of technological advance that are necessary before the use of VR for facility design becomes widespread.