Designing and evaluating a workstation in real and virtual environment: From digital mock-up to realization

This article deals with the proper design of a digital mock-up (DMU) to be used in an experimentation comparing simulated assembly tasks in real and virtual environment. Motivations and specifications relative to the experimentation are described, and the design processing of the DMU is explained and illustrated. Particularly focusing on specificities relative to the use of a DMU as a support for both manufacturing and virtual reality - 3D visualisation and interaction, recommendations are proposed. A subjective evaluation of the Real (RE), Virtual (VE), and Virtual with Force Feedback (VEF) environments is provided. Results indicate a real sensory and difficulty gap between RE and VEF, whereas a smaller difference was observed between VE and RE. Further improvements of scale-1 (the objects in VE have the same size as in the real environment), co-localized simulation using haptic devices are warranted to fill in this gap. Results also highlight the impact of cognition and sensory feedback on user's feeling and presence sensation. VE evaluation of newly designed workstation will be a way in the future to improve design and users learning processes.