Today we had a meeting to review the progress on the Heritage Craft Virtual Simulator project that is funded by the HLF. The project is being lead by Dr John Murray at the University of Lincoln. Will Sawyer and James Brown who are post-graduate students at the University also support the project?
The project is designed to replicate the processes of the Blacksmith and make items in a virtual sense using a computer, Oculus headset, Xconnect, bespoke software and 3D Printer.
The system opens the opportunity of new methods of manufacture and a safe system that can be used in schools.
The project has made great progress and was able to demonstrate the digitisation of the internal aspects of the Forge; this was viewable on an Oculus Headset. The system had also been integrated with a 3D Printer to print objects. James was new to the project and started to understand the software that will shape the virtual object while factoring in the ductility of the metal based on its temperature and the force used to shape the virtual object.
Hopefully a fully working prototype will be available in March.
