Five application modes of AR technology in industrial manufacturing

What is the difference between augmented reality and virtual reality?

"Augmented reality" is a kind of information the real world and virtual world information "seamless" integration of new technologies, is originally in the real world within a certain time space is difficult to experience the entity information (visual information, sound, smell, touch, etc.), by the science and technology such as computer, simulation and then overlay, the virtual information applied to the real world, was perceived by the human senses, sensory experience so as to be beyond the reality.

Augmented reality technology not only shows the information of the real world, but also displays the virtual information at the same time, realizing the mutual supplement and superposition of the two kinds of information, so that the real environment and the virtual object can be superimposed into the same screen or space in real time and exist simultaneously. In short, users can use "augmented reality" technology to extend their real world, directly seeing virtual objects or information that is invisible in the real world.

It is generally believed that the emergence of "augmented reality" technology comes from the development of "virtual reality" technology, but there are obvious differences between the two.

Virtual reality technology (abbreviation: VR) is a kind of computer graphics technology, multimedia technology, human-computer interaction technology, network technology, three-dimensional display technology and simulation technology and other science and technology integrated development of the latest technology in the field of computer, its characteristic lies in the creation and experience of virtual world. The user can generate a feeling of immersing in the virtual environment and interact with the virtual environment through the perceptual behaviors such as sight, hearing and touch, so as to cause real-time changes of the virtual environment.

Traditional "virtual reality" technology can create another world for users, make them immersed in the virtual world; And "augmented reality" technology is to bring the computer into the user's real world, to achieve the technology of "people-oriented". There are obvious differences between the two.

Augmented reality technology AR can not only shine brilliantly in games, but also has more and more extensive and in-depth applications in the manufacturing industry. This has also become the focus of many enterprises research object, but also become one of the important technology in the development of China's manufacturing industry.

National manufacturing power construction in China strategic advisory committee issued the "made in China 2025" key areas of technology roadmap will be augmented reality AR technology as a key technology in the field of intelligent manufacturing core information equipment, one of its core content mainly studies three dimensional space registration RFID positioning technology, industrial networking information three-dimensional space, search, display and interaction technology. Intelligent manufacturing core information equipment refers to the key infrastructure equipment in each link of the manufacturing process to achieve information acquisition, real-time communication, dynamic interaction, decision-making analysis and control. It can be seen that augmented reality technology has become one of the key technologies in the process of intelligent manufacturing transformation of Chinese enterprises. The main application modes are as follows:

Make the maintenance of equipment more convenient

For manufacturing enterprises, the maintenance of equipment, to ensure the stable operation of equipment has a very important role. However, with the increasing integration and complexity of equipment and the lack of experience of operators, the maintenance of equipment becomes more and more difficult. However, with the help of augmented reality technology, the maintenance and inspection of complex equipment can become intuitive and convenient, which can help enterprises deal with the above challenges, thus changing the original way of equipment maintenance, improving efficiency and ensuring quality.

Fujitsu, for example, has applied Augmented Reality (AR) to its equipment spot inspection and 24×7 service operations in order to improve the on-site working environment for its equipment maintenance and maintenance staff. Before augmented reality, workers had to manually record temperature, pressure and other information on checklists, which they then fed into a computer. Today, workers can use touch screens on the spot to enter information, create spreadsheets and share recent information. Augmented reality can quickly display job manual data, inventory levels in failure history.

Using the text entry feature provided by Fujitsu AR technology, field workers can use it to quickly share information. When on-site inspections are carried out, details, no matter how small, can be recorded. Augmented reality makes it easy to determine which devices are working properly and, combined with data analysis, enables preventative maintenance. On the other hand, with the rapid acceleration of the aging society, there are fewer and fewer workers with skilled technical experience. Through the adoption of AR technology, even the "rookie" with general ability and inexperience can accurately complete a variety of field maintenance operations, which will be conducive to the transmission of technology and experience

Also in the case of the automobile industry, probably any mechanic or car enthusiast in the past could recognize a significant number of engine parts and know what they were used for. Today, more and more sophisticated sensors, computers and safety features are making it easier to repair a car. To that end, BMW has developed augmented reality glasses that allow BMW maintenance workers to see highlighted parts and a computer that tells the user how to install them in the right order. A small screen on the technician's glasses allows the technician to see the computer-generated images in real life

More convenient and accurate guidance of product manufacturing process

As can be seen from this, augmented reality can be applied not only in the maintenance process, but also in the manufacturing process of enterprises, so as to provide more intuitive process guidance for operators, rather than just complex and boring operation instructions and drawings

Boeing production line workers are reportedly using augmented reality Google glasses to assemble aircraft wiring harnesses on a large scale. It is well known that the wiring harness inside the airliner fuselage is intricate. In the past, workers had to take the aircraft internal structure instruction manual or refer to PDF pictures to complete the wiring harness assembly and connection step by step, and the work process was cumbersome and often error-prone. Instead of running around the cabin with manuals and computers, the Google glasses project detailed assembly to help workers do their jobs. According to the statistics, Boeing workers made 50 percent fewer errors and 25 percent less time assembling wiring harnesses with Google glasses.

Google glasses with augmented reality technology were used to assemble the aircraft wiring harness

Make product marketing sharper

In the aspect of enterprise product marketing, augmented reality technology has gradually become a sharp tool to promote enterprise product sales, enabling consumers to obtain a more intuitive experience. In the world of augmented reality, there will be less brand and product hype and more interaction and services. For example, in product trials, brands such as Topshop, De Beers and Converse are using augmented reality to let consumers try on and try on clothing, jewelry or shoes. Shiseido and Burberry are taking augmented reality a step further to try out cosmetics. For car brands like BMW and Volvo, augmented reality is also a good choice for new car introductions and virtual test drives. It can be used in the selection and purchase of products, such as the subway virtual store in Haodian. After scanning, you can choose what you like and buy it online.

Use augmented reality to let consumers try on and try on shoes

Simulation, analysis and review of product models in product design stage

No matter how accurate the drawing is, it will also limit the accurate expression of the designer's design concept and affect the communication with customers. Augmented reality, on the other hand, fills this gap. In the design stage, designers can quickly and realistically integrate their creative ideas into the real scene through augmented reality technology, so that designers can have a direct and personal feeling for the final product and take advantage of the improvement of the final design scheme.

At the same time, through the augmented reality technology, the designed virtual model can be integrated with the real scene in reality, so as to better carry out assembly simulation, analysis, review product model and other work before the design finalization.

Using AR technology to broaden the application of the Internet of Things

The last thing to mention is the application of AR technology in the Internet of Things, which is an important part of the new generation of information technology and an important development stage of the "information" era. The integration of AR technology into the Internet of Things can make the presentation of information more convenient, friendly and intuitive.

When we saw our phones can through the phone the running state of the product use, performance and the important parameters of these data through the Internet of things at the same time also can intuitive reflect to product designers, so that they can continue to improve products, bring customers better experience, saves a lot of unnecessary link.

In this regard, PTC in the United States also has some mature solutions. The key link of the "intelligent connected products" promoted by PTC is that every action of the intelligent products will return to the designer's desktop, so as to realize real-time feedback and revolutionary optimization strategies. PTC company combined with its existing CAD, PLM solution and through acquisitions over the years and the growing integration of the Internet platform, to some extent to achieve the integration of digital world and the physical world, but it is only that it is not enough, still lack of intuitive connection between digital model and physical model and show the bridge, and augmented reality (AR) this kind of information the real world and virtual world "seamless" integration of new technology for information just make up for this, can help designers more intuitive understanding of the product operation and usage in the real world.

Augmented reality helps designers more intuitively understand how products work and are used in the real world

To that end, PTC last year acquired Vuforia, formerly Qualcomm Inc. Vuforia is an augmented reality (AR) mobile vision platform that develops applications for mobile devices, such as tablets or phones. Vuforia mixes reality and computer-generated images, allowing virtual and real objects to share space.

Through the acquisition of Vuforia, combined with PTC lifecycle management solutions and IoT solutions, manufacturing enterprises have more imaginative space to deepen the application of AR technology. With Vuforia development platform, can let the real link between products and digital products become more convenient, intuitive, combined the technology of Internet of things at the same time, the end user to use parameters intelligent products can reflect intuitive, intelligent product whole life cycle management to become more complete, to further expand the PTC iot transformation. As AR technology is applied throughout the life cycle of product design and development, it will create a new way of working in product design, product monitoring, and guidance to operators and technicians on how to properly use and maintain products.

2016 technology maturity curve

According to the 2016 technology maturity curve released by Gartner, augmented reality technology has been in the disillusionment period, forming a process that is gradually coming to the ground. It is expected that in the next 10 years, augmented reality technology will get closer and closer to us, and gradually move from manufacturing applications to our lives.

Afterword.

Of course, for manufacturing enterprises, AR technology will certainly not be limited to the five application modes listed in the paper. It is believed that with the progress of AR technology and the continuous expansion of business needs of enterprises, there will be more and more application ways and display ways in the future, which is no doubt. Augmented reality technology leaves us countless imagination space and application mode, application scenario. The role played by it may not be so obvious now, but as we dig deeper, what may be changed is not only to assist in optimizing the manufacturing process of enterprises, but also to subvert the business model, create intelligent products, create a new industrial ecology and a series of world-shaking changes.

(article from OFweek industrial control network: people on the road 20)