1. Virtual Environments for Manufacturing And Training (VEMAT)By
Tan Hock Soon
On Behalf of
Shen Shuang Yang
Mr Zhou Hong
Tan Kim Cheng

2. Acknowledgement
APEC TEL for funding this research under the project title VEMAT (05/2001).

3. Outline Introduction Literature Review Conceptual Framework Tests
Shortage of manpower, facilities
Concept of sharing
Literature Review
Increasing trend of collaboration in manufacturing
Increasing trend of virtual technologies in education
Findings
Conceptual Framework
Prototype Selection
Clustering
Software
Application Framework (Video)
Tests
Concluding Discussion
Q & A

4. 1. Introduction
In education, we recognized that there is often a shortage of:
Experienced/qualified teachers
Equipment, especially specialized laboratory equipment
We can try to alleviate the problem of shortage of teachers by sharing them (or their knowledge) in different ways:
Digitize their knowledge (in courseware, video, etc.)
Allow synchronous lessons to be conducted using video conferencing
What about
expensive equipment?

5. 1. Introduction Contemplate the networked laser printer
By sharing it, its effectiveness has increased, more users benefit from the connection

6. 1. Introduction
Could the same approach be taken for even more expensive equipment?
Could the idea of “sharing” be taken further?
What would be the likely mechanism?
How does this help education?

7. 2. Literature Review
Increasing trend of collaboration in manufacturing
Internet-enabled distributed systems (Bailey 1995, Tay et. al. 2001)
Portals for virtual manufacturing (
Equipment and machines gravitating towards Internet integrated technology, modular and commercially available parts (Tan & Chu 2000, Tan & Lee 1999)

8. 2. Literature Review
Increasing trend of virtual technologies in education
Empirical data on transfer of skills from virtual environments to real world in terms of instructional effectiveness (Moshell et. al. 1993, Tan & Ward 1998)
Potential of VEs in education & training (Youngblut 1997, Francis & Tan 1999)
Simulators & on-line laboratories (Tan 2000, Tan & Chu 2000)

9. 2. Literature Review Findings
Very possible that certain categories of equipment/machines could be shared
Some equipment already have built-in capabilities for connection to a network
Very possible to retrofit equipment at low cost using standard components
Resource-sharing concept is feasible
Possible to create simulations for on-line training

10. 3. Conceptual Framework Equipment Selection
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) Machine, a type of Rapid Prototyping (RP) Machine
Set-up involved relatively few steps that can be easily controlled remotely
Operation time was long, ranging from a few hours to days
Machine and Process is expensive
Machine is controlled by a microprocessor that had easy means of communicating with external world through ACL (Automove Control Language)

11. 3. Conceptual Framework Clustering of Equipment Broadband Connection
Remote Clients
Broadband Connection
AXIS Video Server
Portal
FDM Server
Database Server
Other Nodes
Other Clusters
RP machine cluster
FDM
Machine
Cluster Controller
VEMAT prototype node

12. 3. Conceptual Framework
Software

13. 3. Conceptual Framework TS (Terminal Service)
ASP (Active Server Pages)
MSDE (Microsoft SQL Desktop Engine)
ADO (ActiveX Data Object)
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity)
DHTML (Dynamic HTML) / CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) / Javascript
ACL (Automove Control Language)
Visual Basic
Route and Remote Access Service
Windows Media Service

14. Application Framework – Application in Biomedical Engineering
3. Conceptual Framework
Application Framework – Application in Biomedical Engineering
This software is used to process CT/MRI scans to 3D Models and finally to STL files
Manufacturing process
RAW FILES
STL FILE
SML FILE
CT/MRI
SCAN FILES
VELOCITY2 PRO
INSIGHT
FDM 3000
MODEL
CLIENT
This software is used to process STL 3D model for manufacturing purpose, which includes slicing, support building and tool-path computation. The output file is in SML format – ACL codes read by FDM 3000 RP machine
Desired part

15. 3. Conceptual Framework Web Portal Scheduler Live Webcam Training
Remote Access
Web Portal
Scheduler
Live Webcam
Training

16. 3. Demonstration – Video Clip

17. Tests Conducted Aug 2002 Beijing Aug 2002 Shanghai
Trial with CERNET
Aug 2002 Shanghai
A live demonstration was performed, which tested the stability and efficiency of the VEMAT system. The bandwidth of the remote user is 2Mbps, which is sufficient for both remote access and high-quality live video stream transmission. Up to this point, the first phase of VEMAT is closed with satisfactory results.
Oct 2002 Internal Tests for Phase 2
Use of new methodology.
Nov 2002 Final Tests
During this period, VEMAT was tested from various remote IP addresses all over the world. This was achieved by using public SOCKS5 proxies and SocksCAP from Networking Systems Laboratory, NEC USA, Inc. VEMAT was tested fully functional up to this point of time. Some minor changes to the user interface were made to make the system more user-friendly.
Dec 2002 Evaluation by APEC TEL and IDA
Dec 2002 User Tests from BIOMAT Lab
Mar 2002 Acceptance by APEC TEL and IDA

18. 4. Discussion and Conclusion
Sharing of resources between institutions allow costs to be minimized; equipment to be fully utilized
Provide service to educational and research community - reducing the development cost and time
Collaboration allows learners to gain international perspectives by working with people from other country
Courseware allows users to practise; be familiar with the system
Convert CT/MRI images and fabricate models for biomedical and tissue engineering applications

19. Questions?
Thank You!

20. R&D - TS and VNC VNC Terminal Service Service concept Protocol
VNC
Terminal Service
Service concept
Protocol
Efficiency
Security
Expandabe
Customizable
Remote control
RFB
Low
Poor No
Application service
RDP
High
Good
Yes

21. R&D – VEMAT Kernel Service
Security Considerations:
Hide “Start” button
Hide tray icons
No right-click
VEMAT interface maintains on background