An investigation into the use of haptic modelling during industrial design activity

Physical models continue to form an essential outcome from industrial design practice for both student and professional. Whist the professional may be removed from the “hands-on” model build by employing the services of a modelmaker, students rarely have such resources. Indeed it was (and in many institutions still is) considered an essential part of the education programme for students to develop modelmaking skills and experience the physical interaction with form and material. However, the advent of remote model building technologies via rapid prototyping and computer controlled machining, has given students an alternative, enabling them to become increasingly removed from such interaction. As increasing numbers of industrial design courses utilise remote model build technologies, the emergence of three dimensional (3D) digital modelling via a haptic feedback device may offer a route whereby students can continue to be involved with tactile design modelling. Acknowledging the need to utilise digital design techniques, this paper investigates the capabilities of haptic modelling for use within industrial design practice, with the aim of discussing its suitability for student use. The research is based on an industrial design case study for a communication device that was undertaken by the authors.