Simple Virtual Reality Skill Training System for Manual Arc Welding

Although many metal work welding processes have been robotized recently, manual welding is indispensable in custom-made and high-mix low-volume productions. Hence, skilled welders are needed widely in the metal work industry. On the other hand, many people have little incentive to become a new welder because of the high physical risk and heavy demands of skills training. Virtual Reality (VR) technology may provide an effective solution, and various complex high-tech VR systems for training have been proposed so far. However, high tech VR training systems may not be required as long as the skill to be acquired is analyzed, and its tasks are confined. In this paper, a simple VR training system for steady state electrode manipulation skills in manual arc welding is proposed that uses neither force display nor mixed reality, and its effectiveness is verified. Good correlation is found between skills learned via VR welding and in actual welding in experimental tasks. Consequently, the proposed system can train novice welders safely.