FA857120C0014

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase II

Virtual Painter Training

Virtual Painter Training

F3 Solutions (F3) is an EDWOSB with extensive experience specific to Aircraft Maintenance and Training, and providing R&D support to satisfy the objectives of a Virtual Painter Training system. F3 proposes to develop and deploy an innovative Virtual Reality Paint Trainer (VRPT) to ensure all aircraft painters have a consistent skill baseline. F3 performed the maintenance of a virtual painter trainer used at RAFB. We are, therefore, familiar with constraints of the antiquated technology and use the following lessons learned to understand its failure: the trainer could not accommodate multiple, simultaneous users; allow team-based exercises; function consistently; utilize paint guns instead of simulation controllers; provide realistic renderings of environments and various aircraft to be painted. The VRPT will visually and functionally replicate specific hangar painting environments and three types of spray gun, removing generic variables associated with other non-aircraft painting specific systems. Painters will learn paint skills in the following order: Safety procedures/protocol; As an individual with acceptable score; As a team-based painter in a multi-painter environment. F3 will leverage our lessons learned, understanding of aircraft paint requirements, AF paint/depaint processes, pollution prevention, HazMat/HazWaste, and VR technological innovations to ensure painters achieve baseline skill levels, thus improving throughput of parts/materials.

The goal of phase II is to continue the R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding is based on the results achieved in Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the project proposed in Phase II.

AF193-D001

F2-12593

19.3

Parrish Swearingen