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Virtual maintenance training

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Virtual Maintenance Training (VMT) is a training method that uses computer-based interactive 3D simulations of virtual equipment to replicate real-life vehicles or devices. It is designed with the intent to teach users the procedures required to service, repair, and maintain equipment effectively. This approach is used in environments where real-life training may be hazardous or impractical. Virtual maintenance training has been adopted by some training schools and centers, including those within the United States Armed Forces, particularly for defense vehicle maintenance. Its application has expanded across multiple industries.[1]

History

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FA-18 SAMT DiSTI Screenshot.

Virtual maintenance training emerged to address the challenges of practicing maintenance and repair procedures on hazardous or unavailable equipment. One of the earliest documented uses of virtual environments for repair and maintenance was by NASA in December 1993. During this mission, virtual environment technology was used to construct a model of the Hubble Space Telescope and its components that were replaced or serviced.[2]

Another example resulted from the work completed by the American Systems Corporation[3] and the DiSTI Corporation, an American software company.[4] DiSTI developed the first full 3-D virtual interface maintenance trainer for the U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet Fighter Jet, which was delivered in 2006. It was the first trainer that did not use actual hardware to train students.[5][6] Titled the Simulated Aircraft Maintenance Trainer (SAMT), it shows a physical cockpit simulator, and a virtual F/A-18 (including a virtual cockpit) displayed either on two 61-inch touch screens or a PC. With the 3D interactive graphics, the SAMT trainer uses 3D interactive graphics, allowing students to navigate and interact with a virtual environment that simulates real-world operations. Studies indicated that the SAMT trainer increased the number of students trained and reduced training expenses compared to traditional methods.[7][8]

Prevalence and industries

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The implementation of virtual maintenance trainers is gaining relevance in the commercial airline industry, military training, and modern vehicles. Particularly within the airline industry, inspection, and maintenance for an aircraft are said to be approximately 90% of a visual nature, but still need to be performed consistently over time. As the idea of virtual reality began to advance, maintenance training for aircraft became one of the first applications to incorporate augmented reality in task training procedures.[9]

Virtual maintenance training programs can be seen in the military simulation and training industry, although some are not accepting of the idea of virtual training. However, it has been noted that a benefit of using virtual maintenance training is the ability to train on the device or vehicle before the real-world counterpart. Eglin Air Force Base used this in 2012, as the 35 Fighter Wing maintainers could begin their training courses before the actual F-35 aircraft was delivered.[10][11]

The idea of using virtual maintenance training or virtual reality in the industrial and energy industry has been a topic of discussion in recent years. [when?] This interest is due to the operations and maintenance procedures performed in high-risk environments, such as nuclear power plants or high-cost and high-yield production plants.[12] The potential use of virtual training in this industry is motivated by the experiences realized from engineering education, and visualization of the complex environments presented in computer-aided design (CAD), a type of software that allows users to create and modify 2D and 3D models. [13] Virtual maintenance training shows its perceived usefulness in the assembly process and applications that follow a "learn-by-doing" approach. The "learn-by-doing" approach encompasses two significant parts: the personal experience through the simulated real world and the unique training process.[14]

Platforms and service providers

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There exist several VMT platforms and service providers, some examples of these are:

  • DiSTI Corporation: DiSTI offers VE Studio, a platform for developing virtual maintenance training applications across desktop, mobile, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) platforms. The platform has applications in aerospace and defense sectors.
  • Pinnacle Solutions: This company develops VR and AR training programs for aircraft repair and maintenance, providing interactive multimedia instruction and virtual learning environments.
  • SimiGon: SimiGon’s simulation software serves the government, military, and logistics sectors, offering realistic virtual representations of equipment for comprehensive training.

Notes

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  1. ^ Jenab, Kouroush (September 3, 2016). "Virtual Maintenance, Reality, and Systems: A Review". ResearchGate. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  2. ^ R. Bowen Loftin, Patrick J. Kenney, "Training the Hubble Space Telescope Flight Team," IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 31-37, Sept. 1995
  3. ^ "American Systems Corporation official website". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  4. ^ "DiSTI official website". Archived from the original on 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  5. ^ "Canaday, Henry. 2011. Training Goes Virtual, Mobile. Vol. 16. Iss. 2. Military Training Technology". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  6. ^ Brooks, Elizabeth (2024-11-23). "Unlocking new possibilities with DiSTI's virtual training solutions in aviation, defense and automotive". AZ Big Media. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  7. ^ "Clark, Jim. 2008. Maintenance Simulators Gaining Military Acceptance. Aviation Today". Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  8. ^ The Disti Corporation and VTR Announce Strategic Alliance to Develop Virtual Pilot Training Initiatives - Ein Presswire, FOX5 San Diego, 30 Nov. 2022.
  9. ^ Bowling, S. R., Khasawneh, M. T., Kaewkuekool, S., Jiang, X., & Gramopadhye, A. K. (2008). Evaluating the effects of virtual training in an aircraft maintenance task. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 18(1), 104-116. doi:10.1080/10508410701749506
  10. ^ Roganov, K. (2012, April 20). F-35 training center begins formal training. The eglin dispatch, 3-4.Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "The Navy's Aegis Virtual Maintenance Trainer". United States Navy. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  12. ^ "Podcast Transcript: Virtual Training Tools for Industrial Plant Maintenance". www.materialsperformance.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  13. ^ SARCAR, M. M. M.; RAO, K. MALLIKARJUNA; NARAYAN, K. LALIT (2008-05-05). Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-203-3342-0.
  14. ^ Sousa, M. P. A., Filho, M. R., Nunes, M. V. A., & Lopes, A. C. (2010). Maintenance and operation of a hydroelectric unit of energy in a power system using virtual reality. Electrical power and energy systems, 32, 599-606.
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