The Role of Product Data Technology in the Integration of PDM/CAD with Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is the technology for real time visualization of product data within an immersive environment that offers users an intuitive interaction with the model. In the context of virtual product development it is the key technology that allows to minimize the need of physical prototypes. VR provides a suitable digital alternative that allows greater flexibility gaining additional resources for improved quality. Nevertheless, for most VR applications it still requires a lot of effort to adequately prepare CAD data for the needs of a specific target application. Therefore, this paper addresses the problems of VR data acquisition, conversion and preparation within common engineering environments. Requirements to the tools supporting this process chain from PDM to VR are discussed and concepts for fulfilling this requirements are presented. Special interest will be given to the use of the ISO standard STEP.