Scientific Visualization and User Interfaces in Composite Manufacturing Simulations

摘要

The importance of graphical visualization and animation in manufacturing process simulations cannot be overstated. Indeed, without effective scientific visualization tools, process simulation resultant data cannot be properly interpreted and analyzed. Software and hardware can be combined to convert what used to be page after page of printed numerical results into animated, easy to see results which are quickly rendered on graphical displays. Results that used to take days of careful study to understand can now be comprehended in minutes. With this understanding in mind, we have set out to develop novel ways to both view and interface with our manufacturing process simulations. This report discusses our selection methodology for the hardware and software used for our visualization work and relates some of our experiences in constructing specialized graphical tools. Other areas of discussion include computer codes, free software tools to build interfaces, and tracking and graphical representation of simulated and actual manufacturing process data across networks.