The history of tractor construction is synonymous with the history of the Fendt company from Marktoberdorf, Germany. Today, the Fendt brand is owned by the AGCO Corporation, one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural machinery in the world and the company’s development process is supported by modern technology, which is reflected in the company’s internal virtual reality centre. On a 5m x 2.6m large passive stereo powerwall, CAD models of various agricultural machines are visualised. The aim of the new VR system is both the improvement of product quality as well as cost optimisation.
The virtual reality centre at Fendt has been in operation last year and the media technology was installed by the VISCON company. It was decided together with the operator to use two Christie D4K35 projectors. “Apart from the light output and the required 4K resolution, the decisive criteria for selecting the Christie 4K projectors were the favourable power consumption and consequently lower operating costs”, says Einsle by way of clarifying the choice.
The 3-chip DLP projectors provide a resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels with a light output of up to 32,500 ANSI lumens. Fendt is one of the first users in Europe to use two projectors of this type built into a passive stereo unit. Both D4K35 projectors use Infitec filter technology and an AR tracking system, projecting onto a large Stewart rear projection screen.
The powerwall was erected in a conference room in order to facilitate interaction with, and in front of the large image projection. The maximum screen size was dictated by the construction and access dimensions. “In order to attain the image size required and save space we installed projection via a deflecting mirror and both projectors with 3kW lamps are just three metres from the screen,” says Manuel Kirchesch.
In terms of control, an optimal utilisation was also sought and there is one computer each for left and right eye, controlling each quadrant of the projection screen, so that a total of eight controller computers in operation can be activated by touch panel using a Crestron controller. The light and sound states in the conference room can also be controlled using the same touchpad.
