Our Story

Mechdyne Corporation was founded in 1996 by Dr. Chris Clover, an Iowa State University Ph.D. graduate with extensive experience at the university’s Virtual Reality Applications Center. He recognized the potential for advanced visualization and interaction technologies and his research led him to realize the growing demand for customized systems, software, and services. The company went on to develop the first commercial CAVE™ to be driven with off-the-shelf PC’s instead of a supercomputer, the first rear-projected curve screen systems used in immersive visualization applications, and the world’s first reconfigurable immersive room, the FLEX™.

Mechdyne quickly and profitably grew to be one of the leading suppliers and innovators of large-scale visualization technology. Within a few years, the company had successfully deployed advanced systems on six continents. New products and services were developed in response to specific customer requirements as well as a growing understanding of creating turn-key systems to make visualization systems more intuitive and applicable to enterprise workflows.

In 2003, Mechdyne acquired Fakespace Systems, thereby creating the world's largest company dedicated to providing large-scale visualization solutions. Fakespace Systems originated in 1988 as a pioneer in the development of immersive visualization for research and commercial market applications and had also introduced many ‘world's firsts’ advancements in visualization technology. The combined company instantly had an unparalled wealth of experience in consultation, design, installation, and servicing of hundreds of large-scale visualization solutions for clients such as Los Alamos National Laboratories, NASA, Boeing, Conoco Phillips, John Deere, and the U.S. Army and Navy.

In 2005, Mechdyne acquired VRCO, Inc., a developer of interactive 3D visualization software and provider of consulting and contract services. The addition of VRCO's rich history and expertise solidified Mechdyne’s position as the world's largest dedicated visualization solutions provider, with a reputation for exceptional service and support, the industry's most recognizable brands, and the world's largest installed base of advanced visualization systems. Fakespace and VRCO brands have been maintained under the Mechdyne parent company, with the Fakespace division focused on large-scale visualization system integration and the VRCO division focused on computing systems and software.

Mechdyne applies the skills acquired through more than 19 years of world-leading innovation and market-building experience to offer the industry’s broadest range of large-scale and immersive displays, interaction technologies, and enabling software, backed by planning support and after-purchase services. Our solutions allow organizations to quickly integrate visual simulation into business operations and ensure successful, ongoing operation with high return on investment.

Learn more about significant events and breakthrough innovations in Mechdyne's historical timeline.