Maintenance Training System Based On Flow Charts And Simulation

Maintenance training is a vital node in a system's life circle. As thecomplexity of weapon system have been increasing, sophisticated weaponsystems are facing problems such as high cost and bad combat readiness.Traditional physical model based maintenance training is of low efficiency,high cost and restricted by practical constraints. In this thesis, a MaintenanceTraining System (MTS) is developed based on flow chart and computersimulation. Non-immersion and low-cost desktop virtual reality technology isadopted in the system to present 3D models, maintenance procedures andanimations of maintenance process.The major work of this thesis includes:(a) Requirement analysis and system architecture are presented based onthe review of literatures and related technologies. Non-immersion andlow-cost desktop virtual reality technology is selected for systemimplementation. Key functions and their implementation are discussed.(b) Representation and realization of customizable flow chart are discussedalong with its application in MTS. A flow chart demonstration moduleis developed to generate flow charts consisting of basic controlelements according to procedure definitions. The flow charts linkmaintenance steps and related information, and provide a learningenvironment for maintenance procedures. A trainee can viewmaintenance animation and read corresponding information of a step byjust clicking on a node in a flow chart.(c) A maintenance training system based on flow chart and computersimulation has been developed. Flow charts are adopted to demonstratemaintenance procedures, while maintenance actions are shown bysimulation animations. The system consists of two major modulesimplemented by object-oriented language Visual C++: maintenancecourse definition and maintenance task demonstration. Object-orientedprogramming is adopted to implement the system. MTS is proved to bea successful application with higher efficiency, lower cost and lessphysical limits then traditional training systems. MTS courses can bedeveloped at an early stage of product development that CAD modelsare already available but prototypes are not made yet. Thus MTS canprovide in-time maintenance training and enable early communicationbetween maintenance staff and designers so that the maintainability ofthe product can be improved.(d) A case study is conducted to establish an actual maintenance trainingsystem for a complex control box. Transom Jack is used to producesimulation animations of maintenance tasks. Product structure,maintenance procedures and related data are defined for practicalapplication.