Augmented Reality’s Role in Manufacturing

23 May 2022

Emerging use of AR in the Manufacturing Industry

Emerging use of AR in the Manufacturing Industry

Augmented Reality is a breakthrough technology that provides an enhanced representation of the real world by combining digital visual components, audio, and other sensory data to give the users an interactive experience. Anyone who works in the manufacturing business understands how competitive this industry is, especially for items that have competing analogues. In these circumstances, many companies have taken the plunge and adopted digital transformation in their manufacturing processes, and the results have been very beneficial to their bottom lines. There has never been a better moment to talk about AR app development services, among the most ground-breaking and accessible digital transformation methods, with digital transformation techniques like gamification & immersive experiences gaining traction. Here are some of the primary ways where one can use augmented reality in the manufacturing sector:

1. Workplace training

Workplace safety is paramount in the manufacturing business. When new employees start working on the factory floor, they are generally not familiar with the equipment, protocols, and processes in place. This may pose a threat to one's safety. You may teach new staff and inform them about safety concerns using suitable AR applications and devices. As a result, individuals can stay safe and secure without any assistance. In addition, the AR system will provide the necessary information and updates to assist new workers in understanding what is going on within the workplace, why it is occurring, and how it pertains to their job.

2. Product Development and Design

Product conception, prototyping, designing, and testing may be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This necessitates a series of meetings, modifications, & back-and- forth discussions between the team and the management. It goes without saying how difficult the process will become once it reaches the manufacturing and production stage. By augmenting and improving the work at hand and facilitating communication between connected parties, AR may help you streamline the production process. It's as if a CEO or a Director could watch the actual product's creation process in real- time via augmented reality. As a result, they may share their knowledge along the road, allowing you to produce better outcomes with less rework.

3. Maintenance

What if your maintenance crew could figure out which hardware and equipment are having problems and need to be serviced or maintained? They will be able to know such information exactly, thanks to augmented reality. Yes, an AR device may be used to learn about machine operating times, the last service date, probable failure spots, and more. As a result, every time the maintenance crew visits the warehouse or plant, they may double-check the information. As a result, they will be aware of the equipment and machinery conditions ahead of time. As a result, you may prevent a lot of guessing and ambiguity while also benefiting from speedier repairs, response, & recovery times. As a result, your factory's overall operations improve.

4. Streamlining Logistics

Employees are frequently required to multitask to fulfill orders and organise warehouses. Consider the following scenario: you get an order. Your employee must verify the data, locate the appropriate products or commodities, scan and process the data, transport the order to the loading bay, and close the order. That can entail a considerable amount of manual labour, which takes time and is, of course, tedious. On the other hand, your staff may use new AR technology to link to a networked system that shows them exactly where the items and commodities are, allowing employees to work at a far faster rate. They may also use the AR gadget to scan the essential information, which further minimizes their workload.

5. Complex Assembly

Modern manufacturing necessitates quickly assembling many elements into complicated assemblies. You may make the latest model of a smartphone or the most giant airplanes, but you must follow the assembling instructions. Each new Boeing 747–8 airplane requires around 130 miles of wiring, according to the world's top aviation firm- Boeing. As a result, Boeing chose augmented reality (AR) technology and smart glasses to make its technicians' jobs easier. Thanks to wearable technology, Boeing personnel were able to get the instructions they required directly in their viewfinder. Finally, Boeing cut wire production time by 25 percent while eliminating mistake rates. Boeing assures the best standards aircraft while developing an airplane since there is no space for error.

Conclusion

Augmented Reality is all about interactive games, as many of you may believe, especially following the release of Pokemon Go. However, augmented reality is more than that, and it is not limited to the game sector. AR technology is still in its infancy, and we must wait to realise its full potential. Nonetheless, several industrial companies worldwide have indeed begun to reap the benefits of Augmented Reality. Cost savings, higher speed, fewer mistakes, labour efficiency, better customer service, and improved safety are just a few of the advantages they get from AR.