The application of immersive virtual reality for layout planning of manufacturing cells

Immersive virtual reality (VR) is a new form of human-computer interaction, which has the potential to support a range of engineering applications. A recent review of the methods of planning and implementing manufacturing cel ls indicates that the visual capability of VR could assist the planning pro cess. Current planning methods are restricted by two-dimensional and three- dimensional modelling systems, which provide visual representation of the c ells but lack the full user interaction. This paper describes the framework of an immersive VR approach to the planning and implementation of manufact uring cells in which the planner enters the modelled world of the applicati on.