How Augmented Reality is Revolutionizing Manufacturing
The world of manufacturing is evolving rapidly with the introduction of new technologies. Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information in the real world, allowing users to interact with virtual objects in a real environment. This technology can potentially revolutionize how manufacturing companies assemble complex products on the shop floor.
AR’s impact on manufacturing extends from the shop floor to the end user. It’s transforming how companies design, produce, and deliver products, driving sustainability in multiple ways. AR provides an immersive and engaging user experience and supports sustainability in numerous ways.
An Augmented Reality Environment Supports Sustainability
AR technology is essential in supporting the transition to a sustainable future by enhancing user engagement and promoting sustainable practices.
First, AR can help reduce physical waste. Manufacturers can visualize and test product designs virtually before initiating the actual production process, which minimizes material waste and energy consumption and contributes to a more sustainable production process. AR helps to confirm or adjust the design of a new assembly line or building for example, simulating the implementation of an equipment on the real line, allowing thereby to validate the project before starting it.
Second, augmented reality enhances efficiency and accuracy in assembly and maintenance processes. It helps eliminate errors, reduce rework, and improve productivity by providing real-time information and guidance. It also reduces wastes due to reduction of errors, thus reducing the number of discarded parts
AR can help users understand the environmental impact of their actions. It can be used effectively to power initiatives like energy conservation, water conservation, and air pollution reduction. For example, users can visualize CO2 emissions or energy consumption associated with certain activities or products, encouraging more sustainable behavior.
AR technology also facilitates remote collaboration and training, reducing the need for travel and associated carbon emissions. For instance, an expert can guide a field technician remotely using AR, eliminating the need for the expert to travel to the site physically.
Finally, AR contributes to the development of smart and sustainable cities. By integrating AR with IoT sensors and AI algorithms, manufacturers can create smart products that interact with their environment and users, providing valuable data for improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Diving Into AR’s Role In Helping Customers
Work instructions with visual cues and model-based verification guidance allow users to be more efficient, productive, and confident in getting the job done “right first time” a measurable contribution to improved profit margins.
AR gamification techniques also support mistake-proof monotonous labor to improve a company’s lean manufacturing efforts. It also improves employee retention and increases their career opportunities.
Inadvertent errors caused by manual assembly tasks are prominent in the manufacturing industry; mistake-proofing helps prevent operators from using the wrong parts, leaving out a part, or installing a part backward. Companies can implement the 3DS AR platform in a variety of ways, including:
Guiding large assembly work (Aerospace and Industrial Equipment, for example) where in-process quality can ensure you avoid extremely expensive rework before it’s too late
Executing complex steps with precise measurement & torque requirements, often with an IoT sensor
Performing the process sequence in the correct order to ensure the alignment and balanced operation
Rapidly and accurately performing objective visual inspection for final reporting and traceability
Delivering End-To-End Solutions For Quality Control
Embracing the future of technology, 3D Infotech, Inc. has joined hands with DELMIA to leverage the power of Augmented Reality (AR) in fostering sustainability. The partnership aims to enhance user engagement through immersive AR experiences and promote sustainable practices.
With over 18 years of mission-critical manufacturing quality expertise and a wide variety of turnkey configurable software and hardware solutions, the partnership between 3D Infotech and Dassault Systèmes enhances the ability to deliver end-to-end solutions for quality control, automation, and adaptive manufacturing in a wide variety of industry verticals.
3D Infotech has robust technical expertise in software development, hardware, and implementation services to deploy turnkey systems for guided assembly. 3D Infotech will launch workshops and work with local institutions to educate the industry. Existing CATIA and ENOVIA users can easily access this capability through DELMIA and 3D Infotech’s professional services.
For more information: www.3ds.com
