In our modern world era, manufacturers are investing more and more in human-machine interaction. While granted, process automation drives the manufacturing industry, it can be said that manual process are to the date absolutely relevant.
Having have said that, manufacturers, as products become more specialized, give more specialized tasks to their workers along with the level of complexity and variation that tag along with these tasks. To tackle this, AR allows for the user to track manual processes, leading to new understanding of our operations in a natural and intuitive way of working.
5 Current uses of augmented reality in the manufacturing industry
1. Training & Up-skilling
Leveraging AR solutions to solve manufacturing training and upskilling challenges benefits businesses and workers at all levels. Digital AR work instructions scale to meet businesses where they are, whether they need to train at the individual, factory, or enterprise level. A click of a button easily switches programs, providing production training for individuals or large groups. These programs easily adapt to any skill level, remaining inclusive for someone with little manufacturing background or someone with 30+ years of experience.
2. Digital Work Instructions
Similarly, AR work instructions guide workers through standardized processes. Instead of a worker reading about three actions at once with only one picture to demonstrate it, AR projects work instructions directly onto the work surface, guiding workers one step at a time. Therefore, all focus is on the quality of that one action, significantly reducing time, errors, and cognitive load on the worker.
3. Product Variation
Once work instructions are written, they are added to an index of programs available on every AR system. With more than one process available to work on per system, workers are open to quickly and conveniently adapt to product variation. One barcode scan allows AR software connected to an enterprise MES or PLC system to recognize a new part and automatically call the proper work instructions.
4. Quality Assurance
Inspection and verification are extremely important to ensuring quality. However, it’s still common that inspections don’t take place until the end of a process. With guided AR solutions, work instructions can incorporate quick inspections at any step without hindering cycle time.
LightGuide’s AR software even integrates with 3D vision cameras and machine learning to identify errors like proper torque, correct wire placement, and counting based on part type. It stores all inspection information—along with all process data—and even adds snapshots for added assurance. On top of that, LightGuide AR software includes a no-fault-forward step structure. This means that a worker can’t move on to the next step until they are absolutely sure the current one is correct.
5. Manual Process Data & Analytics
The rise of automation also led to a rise in available process data. However, manual processes are still relevant and manufacturers rarely aggregate any new data from them. Augmentation makes both processes work together.
AR technology allows manufacturers to access manual process and automated data at the same time. It continues to collect cycle times and defects but adds more minute points of reference. For example, augmented work instructions track step times, the exact actions that led to a defect, and real-time operational metrics. Altogether, this added manual data provides a broader picture of factory functionality, showing exactly when and where issues occur.
Source: https://www.lightguidesys.com/resource-center/blog/6-uses-of-augmented-reality-for-manufacturing-in-every-industry/
Having have said that, manufacturers, as products become more specialized, give more specialized tasks to their workers along with the level of complexity and variation that tag along with these tasks. To tackle this, AR allows for the user to track manual processes, leading to new understanding of our operations in a natural and intuitive way of working.
5 Current uses of augmented reality in the manufacturing industry
1. Training & Up-skilling
Leveraging AR solutions to solve manufacturing training and upskilling challenges benefits businesses and workers at all levels. Digital AR work instructions scale to meet businesses where they are, whether they need to train at the individual, factory, or enterprise level. A click of a button easily switches programs, providing production training for individuals or large groups. These programs easily adapt to any skill level, remaining inclusive for someone with little manufacturing background or someone with 30+ years of experience.
2. Digital Work Instructions
Similarly, AR work instructions guide workers through standardized processes. Instead of a worker reading about three actions at once with only one picture to demonstrate it, AR projects work instructions directly onto the work surface, guiding workers one step at a time. Therefore, all focus is on the quality of that one action, significantly reducing time, errors, and cognitive load on the worker.
3. Product Variation
Once work instructions are written, they are added to an index of programs available on every AR system. With more than one process available to work on per system, workers are open to quickly and conveniently adapt to product variation. One barcode scan allows AR software connected to an enterprise MES or PLC system to recognize a new part and automatically call the proper work instructions.
4. Quality Assurance
Inspection and verification are extremely important to ensuring quality. However, it’s still common that inspections don’t take place until the end of a process. With guided AR solutions, work instructions can incorporate quick inspections at any step without hindering cycle time.
LightGuide’s AR software even integrates with 3D vision cameras and machine learning to identify errors like proper torque, correct wire placement, and counting based on part type. It stores all inspection information—along with all process data—and even adds snapshots for added assurance. On top of that, LightGuide AR software includes a no-fault-forward step structure. This means that a worker can’t move on to the next step until they are absolutely sure the current one is correct.
5. Manual Process Data & Analytics
The rise of automation also led to a rise in available process data. However, manual processes are still relevant and manufacturers rarely aggregate any new data from them. Augmentation makes both processes work together.
AR technology allows manufacturers to access manual process and automated data at the same time. It continues to collect cycle times and defects but adds more minute points of reference. For example, augmented work instructions track step times, the exact actions that led to a defect, and real-time operational metrics. Altogether, this added manual data provides a broader picture of factory functionality, showing exactly when and where issues occur.
Source: https://www.lightguidesys.com/resource-center/blog/6-uses-of-augmented-reality-for-manufacturing-in-every-industry/
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