A VR-Based Framework for Automated Scene Setup and Immersive Assembly Design Review

Traditional design reviews often rely on static inspection of 3D CAD models and physical prototyping, approaches that are typically time-consuming, costly, and limited in interactivity. While Virtual Reality (VR) offers a promising, immersive, and cost-effective alternative, its adoption in industry remains limited due to the limitations of commercial solutions and their poor integration with CAD environments. To overcome these challenges, this paper introduces a flexible, VR-based framework aimed at enabling an automated scene setup and immersive design reviews for early-stage assembly validation, before physical prototyping begins without the constraints of proprietary platforms. The framework is composed of two interconnected applications: (1) Model Setup Application, which facilitates the import and conversion of CAD models, along with the definition of assembly sequences enriched with technical and safety alerts, and (2) Immersive Design Review Application, which provides an interactive VR environment for navigating assemblies, validating procedures, and annotating key steps. This approach supports collaborative, virtual exploration of assembly processes, enhancing early design communication, reducing development lead times, and improving knowledge retention. The framework is compatible with consumer-grade VR hardware and supports standalone operation, making it a scalable and accessible solution.