Division
Process Informatics and Virtual Product Development
Simulation, Visualization, Integration
The division Process Informatics and Virtual Product Development with its interdisciplinary team researches innovative virtual technologies for their application in an industrial environment. The applications range from Virtual Reality supported design reviews or trade show presentations with the help of mobile VR systems to complex Industry 4.0 solutions. The division with its Virtual Reality Center Production Engineering (VRCP) is equipped with a variety of VR/AR systems (5-Sided-CAVE, powerwall, mobile VR system 'moVE', robot workplace for human machine interaction, etc.).
The AVARE network was initiated by the division in 2015 and focuses on small and medium-sized companies. The goal is to enable them to access virtual technologies as these are becoming more and more important, especially in time of Industry 4.0. In addition AVARE actively supports the application of funds and initiation of projects. (more information: avare.info).
The lectures "Virtual Reality Technologies in Mechanical Engineering" and "Principles of Process Informatics" as well as the seminar "Virtual Reality Modeling" give students the opportunity to learn the VR basics. A wide range of project, seminar, bachelor and master thesis are offered. Furthermore there are workshops, expert discussions and demonstrations to communicate the potentials of VR technologies to a large audience.


Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska Klimant
Second Head of Division+49 (0)371 531-37528
franziska.klimant@...
2/M204b




Dipl.-Ing. / Dipl.-Soz.arb./Soz.päd. (FH) Manuel Dudczig
Research Associate+49 (0)371 531-36284
manuel.dudczig@...
2/M204b










Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Eckhart Wittstock
Research Associate+49 (0)371 531-37667
eckhart.wittstock@...
2/M204a
VR machine simulation
- NC-VR machine simulation: Hardware-in-the-loop coupling of a real NC unit with a VR machine model
- NC/PLC commissioning and verification of NC-programs
- Collision detection at the VR machine model
- Video: NCVR
- Anti-collision: Software for damage prevention at machine tools during running operation
- Contact:
Augmented Reality
- Creation of individual Augmented Reality applications
- Simplification and acceleration of the development process
- Integration of tracking, camera, machine, and control data
- User-friendly, nearly real-time visualization on mobile devices
- Usage at assembly lines and machine tools for monitoring, service and design reviews
- Contact: M.Sc. Christian Kollatsch
M.Sc. Christian Kollatsch
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-32885
christian.kollatsch@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M203b
Human-Robot Interaction
- Development of cooperative scenarios between human and machine
- Setup of virtually supported scenarios
- Integration of multimodal communication (haptic, visual, acustic)
- Implementation of gripper tests
- Implementation of handling tasks (with human interaction)
- Coupling of virtual scenes with robot equipment
- Contact: Dipl.-Ing. / Dipl.-Soz.arb./Soz.päd. (FH) Manuel Dudczig
Dipl.-Ing. / Dipl.-Soz.arb./Soz.päd. (FH) Manuel Dudczig
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-36284
manuel.dudczig@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204b
Web-based presentation
- Creation of web-based presentation for complex technical projects, products and processes
- Flexible structure of presentation (no linear sequence of slides)
- 3D Model as key element of presentation
- Integration of slides, images and videos
- Contact: Dipl.-Ing. René Apitzsch
Dipl.-Ing. René Apitzsch
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-33845
rene.apitzsch@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M203a
Development support for mechanical and plant engineering
- VR supported design review with mobile VR system 'moVE' on-site or in the 5-sided CAVE at the VRCP
- Preparation of CAD data for creating the necessary VR models for the design review
- VR supported risk assessment and ergonomic analysis
- Contact: Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska Klimant
Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska Klimant
Second Head of Division
+49 (0)371 531-37528
franziska.klimant@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204b
3D data capturing
- Laser scanning: Mobile 3D laser scanning of any object, such as factory halls, building structures
- Provision of point clouds in defined resolution
- Analysis and processing of captured point clouds to be visualized and used for further specific applications
- Motion capturing: Data collection via motion capture suit
- Contact: Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska Klimant
Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska Klimant
Second Head of Division
+49 (0)371 531-37528
franziska.klimant@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204b
Integration of simulation data
- Adaptive FEM: Postprocessing of the adaptive Finte Element Method (aFEM) through coupling with VR technologies
- Simulation of stresses, linear and non-linear elastic as well as thermo-elastic deformations
- Experimental property analysis: Visualization of measurement results of the experimental modal analysis and thermal deformation analysis of machine tools
- Contact:
Creation of exhibition models
- Creation of VR models for trade shows based on CAD data
- Visualization of process cycles
- Functional and visual model upgrading
- On demand: rental of our mobil VR system
- Contact:
- Joint research project together with Professorship of Ergonomics and Innovation Management within promotion program „Future of Work“
- Development of an Augmented Reality assistance system for assembly and integration an automatically generated instructions from a Virtual Reality leraning system
- Contact:
- Durration: 01.10.2018 – 30.09.2021
- Joint research project together with Professorship for Forming and Joining and the CADsys GmbH; within the AVARE network
- Project goal is the optimization of quality testing in tool manufacturing through innovative enhancement of the try-out process by simulation and Augmented Reality
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.06.2018 – 31.05.2020
- Joint research project together with division cutting and the STM Waterjet GmbH Germany, within the AVARE network
- Development of an Augmented Reality based control system and standardized clamping devices to reduce wastage through precise positioning and position control
- Contact: M.Sc. Christian Kollatsch
M.Sc. Christian Kollatsch
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-32885
christian.kollatsch@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M203b - Duration: 01.07.2018 – 30.06.2020
- Joint project with professorship for Ergonomics and Innovation Management, four Saxon companies and the Technische Universität Dresden
- Experts from different research areas work together to holistically analyze existing VR/AR systems and to further develop the different components in a compatible way. The project is focusing on the enhancement of the users’ presence experience (sense of being in the virtual world)
- This project is co-financed with tax money based on the state budget, passed by the representatives of the Saxon Landtag
- Contact: M.Eng. Alexander Kögel
M.Eng. Alexander Kögel
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-33020
alexander.koegel@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204a - Duration: 01.07.2018 – 31.12.2020

- Joint research project with professorship for Ergonomics and Innovation Management on application scenarios of the latest input and output/visualization methods (mostly Virtual and Augmented Reality) for knowledge work, which is yet traditionally characterized by desktop workplaces
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.05.2018 – 30.04.2020
- EU H2020 cooperation project with 17 partners from 6 countries within the call FOF-09-2017 "Novel design and predictive maintenance technologies for increased operating life of production systems"
- Goal is the development of an Augmented Reality based support tool for maintenance technicians
- More information about the project: precom-project.eu
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.11.2017 - 31.10.2020
- Cooperation project with four partners from industry and research facilities
- Goal is the improvement of manual operations with an Augmented-Reality-based system developed especially for industrial environments
- Contact: M.Sc. Christian Kollatsch
M.Sc. Christian Kollatsch
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-32885
christian.kollatsch@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M203b - Duration: 01.09.2017 - 31.08.2019
- Strategic project within the Twenty20 Alliance 3Dsensation
- Goal is the development of a modular demonstrator system to present the potential of human-machine interaction
- More information about the Alliance 3Dsensation:
3D-sensation.de - Contact: M.Eng. Alexander Kögel
M.Eng. Alexander Kögel
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-33020
alexander.koegel@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204a - Duration: 01.03.2017 - 28.02.2019
- Partner: TU Chemnitz, TU Dresden, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Fraunhofer IWU
- More information about the AMARETO project: amareto.info
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.01.2017 - 30.09.2020
- Joint project within the Artificial Joint Endoprosthetics Network with 4 partners from industry and research
- Development of a surgery simulation and training system for hip implant surgeries
- Contact: Ing. Luigi Pelliccia, Ph.D.
Ing. Luigi Pelliccia, Ph.D.
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-33949
luigi.pelliccia@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M105b - Duration: 01.09.2016 - 30.04.2019
- Joint project with 6 partners from industry and research
- Our goal is the development of a virtual twin through the integration of real-data of the new highly integrative process chain in a consistent data model
- More information: innoteam-height.de (German)
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.08.2016 - 31.07.2020
Intelligent Collision Avoidance for CNC Machine Tools

- Joint project with 4 partners from industry and research
- Our goal is the development of an online collision avoidance system for machine tools
- Main tasks are the automation of the 3D modelling, the development of a dynamic material removal simulation at the work piece, and the use of axis setpoints as input values for the online collision avoidance simulation
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.07.2016 - 31.12.2018
FOLLOWme - Intralogistics with Automated Guided Vehicle System (AGV)
- Joint project within the Twenty20 Alliance 3Dsensation
- Goal is the development of automated guided vehicles for intralogistics including the concept development of the human-machine-interface and the realization of a pick-by-AR-solution for picking processes.
- More information about the Alliance 3Dsensation: 3D-sensation.de
- Contact: Dipl.-Ing. / Dipl.-Soz.arb./Soz.päd. (FH) Manuel Dudczig
Dipl.-Ing. / Dipl.-Soz.arb./Soz.päd. (FH) Manuel Dudczig
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-36284
manuel.dudczig@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204b - Duration: 01.03.2016 - 28.02.2019
AVARE - Network for Application of Virtual and Augemented Reality

- Focus on research of application of virtual technologies
- Network of research facilities and companies, solving existing problems in the field of production engineering with virtual technologies
- More information: avare.info (German)
- Contact: Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Eckhart Wittstock
Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Eckhart Wittstock
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-37667
eckhart.wittstock@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204a - Started: 01.10.2015
Network Artificial Joint Endoprosthetics

- Partner in the biggest German application oriented network for endoprosthetics
- Consisting of 10 industrial partners, 4 medical centers and 6 research institutions
- More information: Network Artificial Joint Endoprosthetics (German)
- Contact:
SMA Aspirator - Development of an Surgical Irrigation and Suction System Using Shape Memory Alloy
- Joint project within the Twenty20 Alliance Smart³
- Development of an controller for an shape memory alloy (SMA) suction-irrigation device, which combines suction and irrigation functions into a single unit
- More information about the Alliance Smart³: smarthoch3.de
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.07.2016 - 31.03.2018
Development of a Measurement System for the Capturing of the Patients 3D Geometry and Strain Distribution for the Attachment of Leg Prostheses

- Joint project with four partners from industry and research facilities
- Development of a FEA simulation model for calculating the pressure distribution of leg prostheses
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.10.2014 - 31.12.2016
Development of a Surgery Planning Software with an Intuitive Interaction Concept for Hip Replacement Surgery

- Cooperation project with 6 partners from industry and research facilities
- Development of a gesture and voice control for a surgery planning software
- Contact: M.Sc. Christian Kollatsch
M.Sc. Christian Kollatsch
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-32885
christian.kollatsch@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M203b - Duration: 01.09.2013 - 31.03.2016
HARPO - Heuristic Augmented Reality supported Packing Process Optimization

- Raising the resource efficiency of a warehouse by visualizing an optimized packaging pattern directly inside the box using Augmented Reality.
- Smaller boxes and less filling material are possible.
- Checking if the packed box is in accordance to the given packing pattern leads to less packaging failures.
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.11.2013 - 29.02.2016
eniPROD - Energy-Efficient Product and Process Innovation in Production Engineering

- Cluster of Excellence within the Saxon Initiative of Excellence
- Contact:
- More information: eniPROD
- Duration: 2009 - 2014
Development of an Interactive Internet Presentation via Web3D of the Five Saxon Clusters of Excellence (2009-2014)

- Project within the Saxon Initiative of Excellence
- More information: excellent-saxony.eu
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.06.2014 - 31.03.2015
3D Simulation of the Manufacturing Process of Highly Complex Parts on Special Purpose Machines

- Modular construction systems are used within the planning and manufacturing of special purpose machines to create efficient production strategies.
- The target of this project was a simulation, which can be used to validate the production and performance of such machines, including different variants of the machine.
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.01.2013 - 31.05.2015
CAD2VR

- Automatic convertion of CAD data into a Virtual Reality environment
- Focus on model reduction and preservation of animations and kinematic chains
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.05.2012 - 31.05.2014
uTRUSTit - Usable Trust in the Internet of Things

- EU project (FP7) with partners from Austria, Norway, Sweden, Belgium and Hungary
- Video: uTRUSTit
- Contact:
Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska KlimantDipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska Klimant
Second Head of Division
+49 (0)371 531-37528
franziska.klimant@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204b- Duration: 01.09.2010 - 31.12.2013
- Contact:
VR-Based Simulation of Material Removal for Chipping Processes

- The VR-based material removal simulation allows visualizing the resulting deflections of the static machine behavior on the virtual work piece
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.06.2010 - 31.12.2012
AMEL - Minimization of Energy Consumption in Logistic Systems

- Development of strategies and algorithms for an assistence system for the minimization of the energy consumption in logistic systems
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.10.2009 - 30.09.2011
Development of Methods and Tools for the Adaptive Lifecycle Support of Production-Related Services in the Field of Mechanical Engineering

- Project with the industry partners NILES-SIMMONS Industrieanlagen GmbH and SIGMA Chemnitz GmbH as well as the Fraunhofer IWU
- Investigation of the possibilities to support services in the machine tool industry using VR
- Development of methods, demonstrated in a training environment for maintenance staff
- Contact: Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Eckhart Wittstock
Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Eckhart Wittstock
Research Associate
+49 (0)371 531-37667
eckhart.wittstock@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204a - Duration: 01.08.2008 - 31.12.2011
Skymocap

- Example of using the motion capture system 'moven' outside the field of mechanical engineering
- Industry funded project with Xsens Technologies B.V.
- Evaluation of the motion capture sytem 'moven' under free fall conditions
- Contact:
- Duration: August 2008
AVILUS+ - Applied Virtual Technologies with Long Term Focus in Product and Production Life Cycles

- Joint project with Fraunhofer institutes IWU, IFF, IAO, IESE, IGD, IPK as well as TUM and DFKI
- Contact: Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska Klimant
Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Franziska Klimant
Second Head of Division
+49 (0)371 531-37528
franziska.klimant@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
2/M204b - More information: AVILUS+
- Duration: 01.05.2008 - 28.02.2011
VR-Based NC-Machining and Analysis Simulation for Free-Form Surface Manufacturing using 5-Axis Milling Machines

- Coupling of a real NC unit with a VR machine model for an early optimisation and fault analysis of NC programs
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.09.2007 - 31.08.2009
VR/AR Strategies for Mobile and Collaborative Work in the Field of Production Technologies - VAR 2

- Project partner: ETH Zurich
- Local and distributed cooperation in VR/AR environments to increase the acceptance of VR/AR applications in the area of production engineering
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.09.2007 - 28.02.2010
VR/AR Technologies for the Development and Analysis of Manufacturing Plants - VAR 1

- Project partner: ETH Zurich
- Creation of a basis for the efficient use of VR and AR in the field of design and numerical analysis of machine tools
- Focusing on the creation of an immersive work environment for designing tasks as well as on VR and AR based visualization methods for FEM data sets
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.08.2005 - 31.12.2006
ViVERA - Virtual Competence network for Virtual and Augmented Reality

- Joint project with Fraunhofer institutes IWU, IFF, IAO, IGD, IPK
- Goal was to cross-link the competences of VR- and AR-developers, the identification of future research needs, the bundling and convertion of experiences of developers and users for other application areas
- More information: ViVERA
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.10.2004 - 30.09.2007
VRAx - VR-Based Building Set for Technology Optimised Machine Tool Modelling

- Joint project with Fraunhofer institutes IWU, IFF, IAO, IGD and IPK
- Development of an advanced VR-based building set oriented platform for the design of machine tools
- Contact:
- Duration: 01.01. 2004 - 31.12. 2006
VAR² - Extend Reality

- The 3rd Conference on Research and Use of VR/AR-Technologies "VAR² - Extend Reality" took place from December 2nd till December 3rd 2015. Key subjects were basic technologies of virtual techniques as well as applications of VR and AR.
- The 2nd Conference on Research and Use of VR/AR-Technologies "VAR² - Extend Reality" was held in Chemnitz, Germany from January 31st till February 1st, 2013 with topics ranging from "Virtual Engineering" to "Interaction in Virtual Scenes".
- On May 15th 2008 experts in the field of VR/AR and future industrial users met in Chemnitz for the kickoff event of an international course of seminars about industrial applications of VR/AR technologies.
- The conference proceedings can be purchased from secretary's office.
- Homepage: www.var2.org
IC.IDO Virtual Reality Excellence Award 2008

- Project 'NavIMode' (Navigation Interface for Modeling)
- Advanced interaction technology for designers in VR environments
- Contact:
5-Sided-CAVE
- Passive stereo with 20 projectors
- Edge length of each projection screen: 3 m
- Optical tracking
VR Supported Workplace for Human-Robot Interaction
- Lightweight robot Kuka LBR iiwa 7 R800 (with integrated momentum sensors)
- Parallel, tongs, 3 finger, vacuum, bernoulli, inner and pin gripper
- Flexible clamping surface with pneumatic media supply
- Integrated active stereoscopic powerwall
- Projection surface 1.8m * 1.2m
- Optical workspace detection
Powerwall
- Passive stereoscopy with two projectors
- Projection surface 2.80m * 2.25m
- Optical Tracking
- Seminar room with seven computer workstations
moVE - mobile Virtual Environment
- Fujitsu Celsius M730 Power (64GB RAM, nVidia Quadro K6000)
- Two digital projectors
- Flexible projection surface 2.0m * 1.5m
- Optical Tracking
FARO Laser Scanner
- Terrestrial laser scanner FARO LS880
- Phase comparison method for up to 120000 points per second
- Maximum range 76m
- Systematic distance deviation: ±3mm for 25m distance
Motion Capture
- Inertial motion capture system from XSENS
- Suit with 17 inertial motion trackers integrated
- Location-independent data recording (acceleration, velocity, position)
VR / AR
- ESI IC.IDO
- Fraunhofer IGD instantreality
- LivingSolids
- AR-Framework ARViewer
- Unity
3D Modeling
- Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage, Motion Builder, Mudbox
- Dosch 3D / AXYZ design
- Autodesk Inventor Professional, AutoCAD, Showcase, Alias
- PTC Creo (Pro/ENGINEER), Solidworks Premium, Solid Edge, CATIA