VR Simulators for Teaching Rapid Prototyping and Material Processing Techniques

Trends in modern education, especially in the field of continuing education and secondary special education, are aimed at the rapid development of skills and the acquisition of professional competencies. Reducing the duration of educational programs to six months leads to the need to apply new educational technologies. Specialties associated with the study of the principles of work with high-tech equipment, such as milling and turning machines with numerical control, 3D printers, machines for laser engraving and cutting, require additional training before admission to the equipment. The use of augmented and virtual reality tools to develop skills in working with high-tech equipment can significantly reduce training time, improve the quality of training and significantly reduce students' possible mistakes when working with equipment, which can lead to breakdown of the equipment itself and risks associated with the student's health. The article discusses virtual simulators for developing skills of rapid prototyping and processing of materials. The simulator allows you to study the components of numerically controlled machines, laser engravers, and 3D printers, get acquainted with the principle of their work, learn the features of working with different materials, the finer settings of the machines, as well as the rules for the maintenance of machines. The article describes the principles of the simulator and the process of their design and development, describes the composition of the geometric models of simulators, job options and scenarios of the simulators. An example of the simulator.