Title: Augmented tangible interfaces for product assembly planning

Authors: Ronald Sidharta, James Oliver, Adrian Sannier

Addresses: Virtual Reality Application Center, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. ' Virtual Reality Application Center, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. ' Virtual Reality Application Center, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA

Abstract: Collaborative work has became an increasingly crucial aspect of engineering design as teams grow larger and more diverse. However, the complexity of the CAD system|s interface can introduce a participation barrier. In a design review context, this barrier prevents the diverse team members from directly interacting with the CAD objects. The goal of the research presented in this paper is to consider an alternative to two-dimensional desktop-based interfaces for a design review. Using an augmented reality technology, we present a set of tangible user interfaces that allows the users to see virtual three-dimensional models and to manipulate them naturally as if they were real, physical objects.

Keywords: CAD tools; computer-aided design; early design; user interaction techniques; collaboration; collaborative product development; product assembly planning; 3D interfaces; design review; product design; augmented reality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLM.2006.009388

International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 2006 Vol.1 No.3, pp.321 - 331

Published online: 28 Mar 2006 *

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