As I mentioned in the original Industry 4.0 blog, nine key enablers support Industry 4.0 or Smart Manufacturing. I list the nine key enablers below. This blog post will introduce augmented reality.
Key enablers of Smart Manufacturing include:
- Cyber Security/Blockchain
- Cloud Computing
- IIoT- Industrial Internet of Things
- Big Data
- System Integration
- Autonomous Robots-Cobots
- Additive Manufacturing- 3D printing
- Augmented reality
- Simulation/Digital Twins
Augmented reality (AR) is not a pretend world like many Virtual Reality worlds are, but it is an aid that provides computer-generated images to enhance our real reality. These enhancements can take the form of graphics, sounds, or tactile feedback.
Imagine that you are a mechanic for a mining company operating in severe conditions. Your task is to conduct maintenance as quickly given the severe conditions. If you had AR glasses on, as you approached the piece of equipment the oil filter location would appear on your glasses with a diagram of the correct tool to use to remove it. As you remove the oil filter the glasses move you through each step in the process. This is an example of augmented reality.
This type of AR is superimposition augmented reality. It replaces the view of the original object with an augmented view of the object. Object recognition is key because an application can’t replace a real view with an augmented view if it can’t tell what the object is.
A second type is triggered by using a QR code to trigger an augmented view when it reads the QR code. This is referred to as marker-based augmented reality.
Markerless augmented reality is GPS based AR and is something that you are probably familiar with. It provides information based upon your location using your smartphone and helps you navigate within your surroundings. Most smartphone GPS systems provide this option.
The fourth augmented reality is called Projection Based Augmented Reality. Like it sounds, it projects an image onto a surface. It understands the human interaction that occurs by differentiating between the expected image with a disturbed image from human interaction. I can remember being in a restaurant several years ago and a patron was using a projection-based keyboard that looked like a laser attached to their Ipad. It was very cool.
Although still in its infancy, augmented reality is being used in many ways and is picking up steam as a key enabler.
1. Complex manufacturing
Using prints to build a complex object which contains thousands of parts is outdated and can lead to errors. Using augmented reality provides an operator with the latest instructions, can provide videos for assembly, and can track to ensure that all work steps are completed.
2. Maintenance
As I mentioned at the beginning of the blog, superimposition augmented reality is being deployed to increase the effectiveness of the maintenance of many of their products. This helps reduce maintenance and downtime on the equipment.
3. Quality Assurance
Using AR inspectors can use an overlay of the correct part to understand if the current parts under inspection are within the specification. This can dramatically reduce the time required to inspect parts. I have a client that uses a piece of equipment that looks like a copier to measure sheet metal parts to see if they are within tolerance.
There are many exciting uses for AR and as it becomes quicker and cheaper with each generation, its deployment will only increase. Exciting times!
As always it is an honor serving you and I hope that you and your company are getting better every day!
Rate and Review Here
More show notes are here