University of Florida - Microchip Lab Digital Twin
The machinery used for microchip research is both costly and complex. This project aimed to create a digital twin of the University of Florida’s SCAN Lab to help train prospective graduate students in the proper use of the equipment through both a VR and desktop application.
A Matterport scan was used to create a point cloud of the entire space in order to ensure room dimensions and machine placement was accurate. However, this data was not used to construct the models, it served only as a reference.
Each machine was developed as its own interactive module, allowing students to move through the virtual lab and approach a piece of equipment to launch its corresponding educational experience.
The first module completed was a Leica microscope simulation, allowing users to manipulate handles controlling the zoom and focus of the lens.
The top video showcases an Arnold render created in Maya, while the bottom video presents an in-engine Unity VR demonstration of a user placing a microchip onto the microscope stage and adjusting the focus to view it on the adjacent monitor.
The Bruker X-Ray Tomography machine was next. In this video, you’ll see the Arnold render followed by an in-engine demonstration of the equipment.
This project is currently ongoing and we are working to deliver a third machine, the Hamamatsu Phemos-1000. We are finished with the modeling/UV stages, however the content of the module and thus the degree of interactivity for the machine are still a work in progress.