Haptic customization of product physical properties in a virtual environment

Abstract

Product physical properties such as stiffness and surface friction are difficult or even impossible to be perceived in today's computer-aided design (CAD) systems. In this research, a haptic interface is developed to customize product physical properties such as product textures and stiffness. Using the proposed system, a designer can perceive, for examples, the surface roughness of a handle, the stiffness of a toothbrush, and exam the trigger force of a push button, or even feel the vibration while an electronic razor is powered on as if he/she is operating a real product. If any of the above physical properties is not desirable by the designer (or customer), the designer can easily make changes until customized properties are perceived. Since these physical properties of a product, traditionally evaluated based on physical prototypes, can now be perceived and modified without any cost in a virtual environment by designers, the product development cycle can be shortened and the cost in making physical prototypes can be eliminated or reduced.