Virtual Painter Training

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials
OBJECTIVE: Develop a virtual painter training system to provide lifelike, real-time training that enables all aircraft painters to develop a skill baseline, allowing aircraft maintenance squadrons to maximize its resources and increase throughput.
DESCRIPTION: The Air Force requires the ability to provide real-time training for all aircraft painters to have a baseline of skills which will allow the squadron to maximize its resources for the purpose of increasing aircraft throughput in constrained facilities. Current and projected workload will require all aircraft painters to possess the ability to prepare surfaces and paint on all shifts, on all weapon systems, and in all facilities in accordance with T.O.’s 1-1-691 and 1-1-8, respectively. Use of a highly adaptable virtual reality training simulator, which mimics a fully-customized painting and coating production environment, will allow all painters to achieve a minimum skill level followed by hands-on, in-shop training for reinforcement. A virtual reality system will also allow these painters to receive training without the use of hazardous materials to increase their proficiency.
Current virtual painter training technologies in use are outdated, limited in capability, and not applicable across all skill levels. Existing products on the market provide some of the desired features, although none meet the acute Air Force requirements and full range of necessary capabilities. Technologies specifically need development to enable multiple users to operate in the same environment, to render and simulate large aircraft parts and eventually full aircraft, and to be optimized for current hardware utilized by the Air Force.
PHASE I: DIRECT TO PHASE II: the Air Force will only accept Direct to Phase II proposals.
FEASABILITY DOCUMENTATION: for this Direct to Phase II topic, the Air Force is expecting that the submittal firm substantiate a present ability to:
- Develop a proof of concept, high accuracy, and user friendly virtual painting simulator. In this, the simulator will need to accommodate, at a minimum, two (2) users in the same environment. Initial demonstrations may be limited to full paint capability on large aircraft parts, the exact dimensions of which shall be determined by the Air Force.
- Develop multiple environment renderings that seamlessly transition between those same environments.
- Develop lift capabilities and scenarios within the simulator environment.
PHASE II: Develop a high accuracy, user friendly virtual paint training simulator to a deployment ready state. The capabilities of the simulator shall be expanded to accommodate up to five (5) users. The simulator shall be highly adaptable, mimicking fully-customized painting and coating production environments, and capable of simulating, at least, a full size cargo aircraft. Lift capabilities should be further developed, with higher levels of realism and incorporation of safety procedures. The goal of the phase II will be a robust virtual paint training simulator with expanded capabilities over existing technologies, resulting in measurable improvements in the skill level of painters, maximized planning of resources, and increased throughput aircraft and parts.
PHASE III: Refine and mature the system to be marketed to other weapon systems and defense customers who require the ability to instill a skill level baseline across all of their painters, and develop of more efficient and capable workforce to increase output.
REFERENCES: 1. “Cleaning and Corrosion Prevention and Control, Aerospace and Non-Aerospace Equipment”, Technical Order 1-1-691, https://www.robins.af.mil/Portals/59/documents/technicalorders/1-1-691_CHG%2016.pdf?ver=2019-01-25-105433-723, 02 November 2009.; 2. “Application and Removal of Organic Coatings, Aerospace and non-Aerospace Equipment”, Technical Manual: TO 1-1-8, http://www.robins.af.mil/Portals/59/documents/technicalorders/1-1-8.pdf?ver=2016-07-29-154634-250, 24 August 2017.; 3. “Airmen take advantage of virtual reality paint booths”, Air Education and Training Command, https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/1715619/airmen-take-advantage-of-virtual-reality-paint-booths/, 17 December 2018.KEYWORDS: Training, Virtual Reality, Aircraft Painting And Masking