# Portable VR Welding Simulator
## 2 VR Welding Simulators  
VR simulators are used to teach one or more welding methods, e.g., SMAW (shielded metal arc welding), MIG (metal inert gas), and TIG (tungsten inert gas). The continuous development of applicable hardware and software and their increasing affordability contribute to the intensified research and development work on new VR welding simulators, carried out both by companies and by academics. Consequently, VR simulators and their application in the education and training of welders are the subject of many scientific publications. In a literature review presented in [19], both registered patents and papers on VR hardware and software used for welders' training are included, covering the period from 2003 to 2012. [PERSON] et al. [4], based on a literature review covering peer-reviewed publications regarding VR-aided training in welding published between 2012 and 2022, proposed the following classification of topic themes covered by them: 1. Comparison of Approaches--concerns articles in which VR-aided training and other training methods applied for welders are compared; 2. VR as a Teaching Tool--regards articles in which several aspects of the implementation of VR in welders' training are discussed; 3. System Development--refers to articles in which the creation of VR solutions for training in welding is described; and 4. System Testing--regards articles in which different findings from research on the use of VR training solutions are shared. For each of the collected articles (18 in total), one or more of these topics were identified, and for each topic, the main ideas and findings presented in the assigned publications were briefly described. The findings of the research are, among others, as follows: (1) the application of a VR welding system effectively supports teaching and self-learning of welders; however, it cannot replace welding operations; (2) familiarizing with VR may be challenging, both for teachers and for trainers, but once the ability to use VR is acquired, it is appreciated as a training tool; and (3) the postures taken by trainees while carrying out a welding task in the VR environment must reflect those in the real environment. Based on the literature review, [PERSON] et al. identified research gaps and indicated themes for further investigation on VR welding systems, e.g., their integration in welders' training and providing a trainee with feedback and cues while carrying out virtual welding. [PERSON] et al. [6] conducted an extensive literature review covering scientific papers in which, among others, the following aspects regarding VR welding simulators are presented: (1) their effectiveness as a training aid, also compared to other solutions; (2) their structure, operation, and functions; and (3) the users' perceptions and opinions. A thorough review of welding simulators, including those that employ VR, was conducted by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [5]. In the research, both commercialized solutions and those not commercially available were analyzed and discussed, taking into account their design, use, and effectiveness. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [43], in their study, identified welding simulators, including VR-based solutions, and classified them taking into account their human-machine interface design. Descriptions of VR welding simulators presented in scientific papers and delivered by providers of commercialized solutions show a variety of ideas and configurations with regards to the systems' structure and operation. Further, comments on these refer to solutions based on mature VR, developed in the past several years. There are two main types of components in a VR welding simulator: hardware and software. The latter is a software tool with which a user interacts (to select a welding task, to start the task, etc.). It will be called a \"simulator software tool\" hereafter. VR welding simulators are aimed at either supporting both learning to set up a welding machine and learning to create a weld, or they are limited to the latter, which affects what components they have.