Cazalea introduces Seiko's zSpace Visualization Software, a groundbreaking 3D virtual reality system for horological engineering. This post highlights its donation to the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC) and its application in STEM education, demonstrating how advanced technology can bring watch movements to life.
I haven't seen anything written on this software program before, but I recently learned that Seiko donated a copy to the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC).
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NAWCC is a non-profit organization to which I have belonged for more than a decade, and well worth investigating!]
On researching the system, I located this short video which uses a Spring Drive movement as a sample:
Demonstration at NAWCC HQ
Noel, Evan, and Samantha enjoying Grand Seiko's zSpace
Museum Director Noel Poirier unveiled the National Watch and Clock Museum’s latest acquisition: two revolutionary horological workstations for demonstrations to Museum visitors.
Using Grand Seiko’s advanced 3D virtual reality watch engineering software, the system is equipped with a user-friendly zSpace hardware interface that is especially designed for K–12 STEM education.
Noel, Evan, and Samantha enjoying Grand Seiko's zSpace. Photographs by Kim Craven.
Evan's turn to explore Grand Seiko's zSpace. Photographs by Kim Craven.
At the June 13, 2018, Lunch “Time” presentation, Executive Director Tom Wilcox told of seeing the workstations in action at the Seiko Museum in Tokyo and took steps to bring one to the NAWCC Museum. The acquisition of two of these units was made possible by a generous grant by the Dart Foundation, The Glatfelter Agency, and an in-kind donation by Grand Seiko.
Attendees Evan and Samantha, elementary-age children, had fun as they used the special 3D glasses and the wand to find the sweet spot to view the parts of the watch.
The NAWCC holds Lunch “Time” programs from noon to 1 p.m. to feature timepieces from the Museum collection and will continue to do so every other month.
In the next post I will show you some of the material Seiko provides at the Museum in Tokyo.
