Augmented Reality in Manufacturing
Competition, technological trends, environmental regulations and customer expectations put pressure on manufacturing companies to increase speed and reduce costs. To meet these challenges, they need to look for efficient and innovative ways of improving business operations.
One such technology is augmented reality (AR). It is an immersive experience that overlays digital constructs directly in the field of view.
Product Development
Augmented reality (AR) can accelerate manufacturing production and rethink product design, prototyping, and testing. It also enables cost-saving operational efficiencies in engineering, service and field operations. For example, a manufacturer can use AR to visualize assembly processes, set up automation lines, and perform virtual quality assurance inspections in the field.
Choosing the right partner for your AR project depends on your business’s specific needs. Choose a company with a solid record of customer satisfaction and a strong reputation for high adaptability, responsiveness, and proactivity. Look for a partner who can provide you with the services you need, such as designing AR apps, developing 3D models, and creating VR experiences.
Some companies specialize in the development of AR platforms, experiences and content; other develop utility tools that aid manufacturers. Healthcare is another growing area for AR; companies like AccuVein and SentiAR have built AR tools to help doctors locate veins in patients during invasive procedures. These tools enable more accurate and efficient patient care. Similarly, AR can help streamline medical training and provide remote expert support during complicated surgical procedures.
Design Review
In large production facilities, every second of downtime can cost revenue. AR/VR can significantly cut that downtime by allowing workers to quickly identify and resolve issues with equipment and improve workflow efficiency.
Sophisticated AR applications require highly accurate and detailed digital product representations. These can be adapted from 3-D models created during product development or from digitization techniques such as 3D scanning. Some AR experiences may also tap real-time data streams from enterprise business systems or other sources to supplement the augmentations with contextual information.
Using AR, warehouse employees can get instructions augmented reality manufacturing companies for picking and returning items to storage more efficiently. The location, specs inventory, and condition of the item can all be displayed on the worker’s display, and he or she can easily find what is needed.
Look for a VR/AR company that can build a metaverse platform based on your unique needs and business objectives. Make sure the vendor can offer a scalable solution that meets your budget. Check if they can provide services like design, production, and testing; and if they have an in-house team that works from start to finish.
Production Planning
AR enables companies to streamline processes within a manufacturing environment. Using headsets such as the Oculus and HoloLens, employees can access additional data and detailed context around the products they are working on, which reduces production time and improves quality.
In the product development stage, AR helps to refine and optimise designs at an early stage. This allows designers to review, adjust and modify digital models and prototypes quickly, which ultimately translates to great products. The technology can also help to communicate design changes in real-time to directors or executives, which can accelerate the process.
Once a project has been approved, it’s important to monitor and maintain the system. This includes regularly evaluating user feedback and adjusting the system accordingly. It also involves training employees to use the new technology. Projection-based AR, for instance, displays information directly in a worker’s line of sight without interfering with their vision or taking their hands off the task at hand. This provides more efficient access to manual and automated process data, such as cycle times or defects.
Inspections
AR provides a venue for simulating real-world activities and situations in a semi-virtual way. It helps trainees practice different tasks without putting themselves or others at risk. It also reduces training time by allowing employees to access the necessary manual information and data in the virtual world.
When it comes to quality assurance, augmented reality helps manufacturers track manual process and automated metrics at the same time. The best AR solutions capture minute data points like cycle times, product defects and more. These consolidated data sets help identify the exact moments enterprise-level inefficiencies occur and offer insights on how to improve them.
Moreover, AR technology makes it easier for workers to augmented reality manufacturing companies inspect products before shipping them out. Previously, workers would have to physically walk around the product and look at it to check its condition. With augmented reality, workers can instantly see if the product has any dents or scratches on it. This is a significant improvement on previous inspection methods and can save companies money by eliminating the need to rework defective products.
Training
Augmented Reality software for manufacturing is a valuable tool for companies that seek to boost productivity, increase efficiency, and provide a better work environment. However, the key to successful implementation is identifying and developing specific use cases for AR technology. This process involves assessing existing business processes and technologies to determine how they can be improved through the use of AR.
For example, an auto manufacturer could use AR to help technicians disassemble complex car engines. An augmented reality headset would display a detailed 3D model of the engine, overlaid with interactive controls that offer real-time step-by-step work instructions. Workers can view the model from any angle and zoom in to see the finer details. The augmented reality system will track manual processes and data points such as cycle times, defects, and more.
There are a variety of different AR development companies that develop platforms, experiences, and content for AR use in manufacturing. These include: development companies that build AR applications; production companies & studios that create immersive video content and products; and hardware manufacturers that vend AR devices, software, and content.