Technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and 3-D printing have evolved from novelties to mainstream use in a variety of industries. They are increasingly used in manufacturing as tools to improve product development, operational efficiency and training. Bob Venero, CEO of Future Tech Enterprise, Inc. discusses how his company is helping to bring these technologies to its manufacturing customers.

CFE Media: Why is VR an important tool for manufacturing?

Venero: Technology is transforming every part of manufacturing – from product conception, design, development, prototyping, and supply chain.

We see VR and advanced 3-D printing technologies, like HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion, as the most exciting innovations that can help drive productivity. VR and 3-D print can be closely connected. If you can visualize your product in a virtual world, you can create it, send it to a 3-D printer, then have a prototype in your hand within hours, not weeks or months.

CFE Media: How can you drive broader adaptation of VR in the manufacturing sector?  

Venero: First, we will see more innovation in VR systems, like the HP Z VR Backpack Workstation.

For the manufacturing sector, I think the future of VR is all about collaboration – and building high quality, collaborative experiences.

In late March, we introduced our new, Future Tech Collaborative Virtual Reality (CVR) appliance. It allows multiple people to interact in a fully immersive, high-quality experience that is easily shared among users. It’s powered with NVIDIA’s latest RTX technology, enabling real-time ray tracing. This compact, all-in-one appliance can help companies improve design, project planning, and training.

If you are an auto parts supplier, your designers can work on every part of a new product and get the details just right before even a single dollar is spent on prototyping.

Think of safety training. With collaborative VR, you can transform employee training from stale videos or online testing that people often try to multi-task through, to fully immersive VR experiences, which are more engaging and productive.

CFE Media: The Future Tech CVR appliance case is 3-D printed, so that’s a perfect example how you are creating through with 21^st century technology.

Venero: Yes, it is. With the customizable 3-D-printed case, the Future Tech CVR appliance is about half the size – weight and height – of traditional multi-user VR units. The compact design allows it to be easily transported into office buildings, and other environments.

CFE Media: Looking out five years, how will manufacturers use technologies such as VR and 3-D printing?

Venero: Soon, 3-D printing and VR will be a part of everyday life, touching every industry. These technologies can drive productivity to new heights and help US-based manufacturers to better compete against global competitors, as they enable faster production at lower costs.

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