Virtual Reality Training Application for the Condition-Based Maintenance of Induction Motors

Abstract

The incorporation of new technologies as training methods, such as virtual reality (VR), facilitates instruction when compared to traditional approaches, which have shown strong limitations in their ability to engage young students who have grown up in the smartphone culture of continuous entertainment. Moreover, not all educational centers or organizations are able to incorporate specialized labs or equipment for training and instruction. Using VR applications, it is possible to reproduce training programs with a high rate of similarity to real programs, filling the gap in traditional training. In addition, it reduces unnecessary investment and prevents economic losses, avoiding unnecessary damage to laboratory equipment. The contribution of this work focuses on the development of a VR-based teaching and training application for the condition-based maintenance of induction motors. The novelty of this research relies mainly on the use of natural interactions with the VR environment and the design’s optimization of the VR application in terms of the proposed teaching topics. The application is comprised of two training modules. The first module is focused on the main components of induction motors, the assembly of workbenches and familiarization with induction motor components. The second module employs motor current signature analysis (MCSA) to detect induction motor failures, such as broken rotor bars, misalignments, unbalances, and gradual wear on gear case teeth. Finally, the usability of this VR tool has been validated with both graduate and undergraduate students, assuring the suitability of this tool for: (1) learning basic knowledge and (2) training in practical skills related to the condition-based maintenance of induction motors.

Virtual Labs in Electrical Engineering Education During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The use of remote labs and AR/VR can be used to support practical learning in virtual labs because it can visualize models in 3-dimensional form and provides cognitive and pedagogical benefits for students as well as a cost-effective investment for higher education institutions [18,[25][26][27][28][29]. For example, the use of remote labs in practical learning for programmable logic controllers (PLC) can work well and is easy to use [31], the development of a VR-based application for teaching and training for conditionbased maintenance in induction motors [32], virtual office development to process basic telecommunication engineering practical work [33], and the design of augmented realitybased learning media on the sensors and transducers course [34]. The advantages of using augmented reality in virtual labs are cost reduction in the purchase of materials, increased availability, practicality, risk control, increased performance, and student engagement [35].…”

Effectiveness of Industrial Training Using Virtual Reality to Mitigate Risks Associated With the Work Environment: A Literature Review

“…It is possible to experience various failures, including emergency situations that do not occur in normal day-to-day operations, preventing losses, risks to health and the organization's assets while evaluating the behavior of the trainee. In the virtual environment, the instructor can adopt 3 presence strategies: controlling his own avatar (a situation like the traditional methods); visualization of the behavior in real time, guiding the trainee (by audio, for example); or a posteriori analysis of the trainee's experience through data collected by devices [11][12][13].…”

“…Additionally, in contrast to traditional industrial training methods, which depend on facilities and equipment for each area, the use of virtual reality enables multiple training and assessment applications, independent of physical facilities, reducing investment in facilities, economic losses, and possible damages to equipment, as well as the training being conducted without interrupting productive processes in progress to train and evaluate the workforce [11].…”

MEIoT 2D-CACSET: IoT Two-Dimensional Cartesian Coordinate System Educational Toolkit Align with Educational Mechatronics Framework

“…Instructors use live-stream cameras to demonstrate practices in real time; students can interact and select different camera perspectives. Several works involve virtual reality (VR) [11], the use of motor current signature analysis (MCSA) to detect induction motor failures, and augmented reality (AR) [12], where AR is applied to teaching architecture, engineering construction subjects, and Internet of Things (IoT). All agree that employing these technologies in educational applications increases students' interest, helps them acquire new skills through accomplishments, and enables interaction with remote experts.…”