Collaborative virtual prototyping and test

This paper discusses a cost-effective system for virtual collaborative simulation of prototypes, tests, and production for integrated product/process development. The virtual prototypes perform three-dimensional modeling of the physical operation of equipment and weapon systems. Realistic qualification tests are modeled to allow assessment via simulation without building hardware. The risk of transition to full production manufacturing is mitigated by virtual testing integrated with production simulation. A virtual collaborative interface is utilized to allow the simulations to be distributed and exchanged over a network (including the Internet). The feasibility of the collaborative virtual prototype and test environment has been shown with simulations hosted on a server and accessed by desktop computers over the Internet.