Abstract
Mechanical designers, analysts, and educators can benefit significantly from usage of multiple modern pieces of common mechanical engineering software that are strategically sequenced and easily integrated, culminating in enhanced 3D visualization of the mechanical system under study. More specifically, this paper promotes a new virtual reality (VR) technique termed “Integrated VR Animation” whereby the end result is viewable mechanical system motion in Unity using the Meta Quest 3 headset. Integrated VR Animation can augment more conventional analysis and preparatory 2D screen animations. Two traditional and coordinated data streams are integrated into the end goal: (1) modeling and associated numerical analysis and (2) detailed CAD (computer-aided-design) characterization of the parts and resultant mechanical assembly. Modeling entails obtaining relevant equations that describe the system, often ordinary differential and/or algebraic (ODEs and DAEs). Numerical analysis is conducted using MATLAB and Simulink as a baseline, with data being imported into Unity via C#. As for CAD, SolidWorks is used and importation into Unity is facilitated through CADLink, a translation package. After presentation of the entire process, two illustrative basic examples are provided (pool ball, ideal pendulum) and a third more substantive example in more detail (3D stress tensor). A key conclusion from usage of the Integrated VR Animation technique presented is that it streamlines and simplifies the conceptual process, offering a reasonable threshold for usage by those who desire to import mechanical system movement content into VR.