Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through virtual reality

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Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through virtual reality

Engineers are immersing themselves in the virtual world, bringing our IntelligentEngine vision to life.

Virtual Reality is proving to be a powerful tool, allowing us to design, test and maintain engines in the digital world. Far from a futuristic ambition, we’re already using cutting-edge VR to design engines, train engineers and improve how we assemble our engines.

Designing engines in the VR cave

Designing engines in the VR cave

Step inside the VR cave, which represents 3D engine models at scale. It has already transformed the way design engineers are able to visualise engine mock-ups.

The cave consists of very large, stereoscopically projected screens, which show our engines true to size. Rather than viewing a CAD model on a screen, design engineers can walk around the engine, getting up close and personal to inspect each module.

The VR cave was a crucial element during the design of our record-breaking Power Gearbox, which forms a key component in our UltraFan® engine design. It helped engineers plan how we would assemble the gearbox piece by piece and allowed those working on it to practice assembling the gearbox in the virtual world, before moving on to the real thing.

A new test bed for the digital world

A new test bed for the digital world

We’re building a state-of-the-art new test bed in Derby, UK, which will combine the latest in digital and physical testing technology – our IntelligentEngine vision in action.

While we put our engines through their paces on the test bed, systems will collect one terabyte of data per hour from 10,000 data parameters. That’s a huge amount – the most we’ve ever monitored.

While the test bed is being built, we’re using VR to allow engineers to step inside the building before it’s completed. Not only does this convey the huge scale of the building – it will be bigger than a Premiership football pitch – but it will allow them to plan test schedules and train employees who will work inside, before the structure is even finished.

“In the same way that pilots complete elements of their training in a simulator, certain engineering tasks can be taught through Virtual Reality.” – Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Aerospace.

“In the same way that pilots complete elements of their training in a simulator, certain engineering tasks can be taught through Virtual Reality.” – Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Aerospace.

Training engineers in the virtual world

Earlier this year, Qatar Airways engineers were the first to experience a new Virtual Reality training programme, focussing on our pioneering Trent XWB engine.

The Trent XWB is Rolls-Royce’s largest engine, powering the Airbus A350. Such is the scale, it must be separated before engineers can transport it for maintenance and repair. Using HTC Vive equipment, engineers are immersed in the process, using sight, sound and touch to separate the two parts of the engine in a virtual setting.

Previously, an engine would have been transported to Doha to be used for the training, or Qatar Airways would have provided an engine in service, with the risk of damage to equipment and valuable flying time lost.

While practical training will always be our focus, we see an important role for VR in certain training activities.

Virtual Reality is playing an exciting role at Rolls-Royce, allowing us to push the boundaries of what’s possible and make our IntelligentEngine vision a reality. Find out more about the IntelligentEngine.

Pioneering the IntelligentEngine

The making of a vision. Our IntelligentEngine takes form.

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