Modern information technology boosts the teaching reform of mechanical engineering

Integrating advanced information technology into mechanical engineering education heralds a new era of learning and experimentation. Through the adoption of virtual instrument technology coupled with VRML tools, this paper presents a cutting-edge virtual laboratory system. This system melds virtual simulation with hands-on mechanical testing and encompasses data acquisition and analysis modules, facilitating a comprehensive range of mechanical engineering experiments. By applying this virtual lab to studying acoustic emission sensors, we investigate its efficacy in mechanical engineering education. The outcomes demonstrate a noteworthy independent task completion rate of over 0.8 for experiments 1 to 6, highlighting the virtual lab’s significant role in enriching students’ mastery of experimental concepts and aiding the experimental teaching process.