The use of haptics in enhancing the reality of computer simulations of electromagnetic devices

This thesis explores new methods of representing the electromagnetic forces in any electromechanical or electromagnetic devices using "off-the-shelf" equipment. It also explores the usefulness of these methods in the design process of such devices and in the understanding of electromagnetic forces. Finally, the thesis concentrates on an investigation of haptics as a new method of allowing the user to 'feel' the electromagnetic forces.;According to the survey, the design performance was good in terms of refresh rate, and added extra information for the user. However, there has to be more research conducted to understand human perception of force.;The thesis describes the design of a system that involves the software development of Graphical User Interface (GUI) to represent the design, with its electromagnetic flux lines, together with a choice of a commercial haptic device to represent the resultant forces. It studies two aspects of the system design. The first is its performance in terms of the refresh rate of the graphics and the force feedback along with user satisfaction of the overall system design. The second is a survey of the usefulness of such a design and the enhancements it provides for the computer simulation of electromagnetic devices.