新闻

Augmented reality technology (AR) has entered the equipment maintenance industry

2018-11-01 13:57

图像 15.png

Augmented reality technology (AR) has entered the equipment maintenance industry

preface

Augmented Reality（Referred to as"AR”），That is, "augmented reality" is rapidly entering the equipment maintenance industry: it enables all the existing data from a factory or machine to be displayed in real time on a mobile device. This reduces response time and ensures accurate inspection and accurate maintenance. to as"

Augmented reality (AR) can be used to display digital information on mobile devices. This new technology opens up huge potential for industrial applications in a variety of areas, from production planning, service and maintenance to staff training and continuing education. This new visualization form can quickly and easily identify physical space requirements, equipment connection or technical failures, and assist maintenance personnel to complete tasks with millimeter accuracy.

一

Five reasons to use augmented reality

Research and consulting firm Gartner predicts that by 2020, 30 percent of large enterprises will adopt augmented reality (AR) for solutions that span multiple business functions. In addition, 42% of U.S. industrial companies now use smart glasses as part of their workflow, according to a survey by ABI Research.

There are many factors driving this rapid growth. For example, competitive pressure for brand differentiation, faster service response times, and real-time quality requirements. At the same time, AR solutions continue to mature, while device makers work to bring second - and third-generation smart devices to market. Together, these forces have stimulated a large number of new cases and expanded into more industrial verticals.

This means that AR is no longer just a technology locked away in a lab. Far from it, it has had a profound impact on today's most demanding industrial production environment.

“

What are the obvious benefits of using AR technology?

The technology and products are mature and cost-effective

Reliable smart glasses have been around since early 2010. The most famous is the "Google glasses," which, while not ideal consumer-friendly technology, are quietly and radically changing the manufacturing industry by providing solutions for operators. The technology could also be extended to corporate asset management at prices comparable to handheld mobile devices. Binocular smart glasses, such as Microsoft's HoloLens and Epson's BT-350, can also take advantage of their relatively large screen size to provide an augmented reality experience.

Data integration has matured

There are several ways to provide data to AR devices that not only allow you to seamlessly integrate with current business process systems, but also manage your manufacturing execution systems (MES), material handling systems (WMS), inspection, maintenance, and operations systems (FSM), and provide plant and enterprise-level insight systems (e.g., ERP and PLM).

Support mainstream work scenario applications

Think about the biggest challenges facing your business, such as productivity, quality assurance, and knowledge transfer. All of these can be improved with AR. Simplify complex multi-step assembly tasks by providing instructions in the worker's sight. Helps workers achieve unprecedented productivity and reduces waste and inefficiency in paper processes and documentation. Improve quality and safety by providing frontline staff with an easy way to report problems to specialists in the office for immediate advice. Daily applications are large and do not require significant investment or training to deploy.

Greatly promote the improvement of production efficiency

The value of AR in the workplace is self-evident: it is proven through vertical data of actual deployment, with productivity improvements of nearly 50%; Reduce error rate and improve first quality by 30%; Also can reduce the training time and so on. In the case of a 1,000-person manufacturing plant, the AR solution was deployed to achieve a return on investment of $25 million per year.

Close the gap with the industrial giants

AR has been used in the production environments of top industrial companies, including Boeing, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, DHL, Telstra and many other internationally renowned companies. If you're still on the fence about this technology, you'll be far behind other leaders.

二 Mainstream function of AR technology

The foundation of augmented reality is mobile capabilities

Smartphones, tablets, sensors and HMI (human-machine interaction the Human Machine Interface) system is the foundation of AR application, also is the era of new technology in industry, even in dangerous sites, can be in danger Mainstream function of AR technology on almost every point in the continuous process visualization and control, also can realize the entire digital network integration of the factory.

The latest AR technology comes with magnetic gyroscopes that allow users to identify objects through an app on their tablet. The software provides all the underlying data directly on the display of the mobile device in real time; It can also be shared across the corporate network. Whether it's construction plans, maintenance information, or operational status, it can be enriched and expanded with virtual data already stored in the plant. Using mobile AR technology can solve a variety of challenges and tasks in the industry, such as fast commissioning of the plant, transparent processes and accurate maintenance, effective asset management, etc.

Can realize fast debugging and navigation

The commissioning of the plant shall be conducted as smoothly as possible without delay. Until now, maintainers have often gone to great lengths to record important data on paper and then manually input it into the system before further reaction or processing of the data, a time-consuming process. However, with the help of mobile devices and AR applications, valuable data can be accessed quickly and easily. No longer need for lengthy intermediate steps and handwritten notes, lists or consulting manuals: Mobile workers can use AR apps to receive and enter data and test results directly on their mobile devices, and can even add photos or voice memos.

Merging data sources greatly simplifies routine field work. Augmented reality can not only identify what users see, it can extend that information, it can also direct them to the location of the failure. Augmented reality-assisted navigation can effectively guide employees: both internally and externally, especially in complex factories. Even in an emergency, the app can scan the environment so workers can quickly find fire extinguishers, assembly points or safe escape routes.

Maintenance 4.0 era: real-time information about the device

During inspection and maintenance, mobile workers make extensive use not only of the factory's navigation capabilities, but also of the data associated with the objects to be inspected. AR technology consolidates all the important support data on mobile devices for them, including what the sensors are monitoring, and then the software displays all the relevant technical data.

As a result, remote workers who inspect the plant in potentially hazardous working conditions can record the results and repair any damage during maintenance or initiate the necessary repair measures immediately. If additional specialists are needed to provide professional support, it is also easy to connect to mobile devices in real time without having to visit the factory in person. This greatly facilitates and enhances remote diagnostic and maintenance capabilities in hazardous areas.

Efficient use of downtime for maintenance

Efficient management of key assets to minimize downtime and downtime costs is critical for manufacturing companies. Due to increasing price and cost pressures in global competition, no company can afford to lose production for a long time. Productivity, flexibility and factory safety can be improved through smartphones or tablets with AR applications.

The plant supervisor receives all data at a glance, which facilitates smooth workflow and planning. Fast complete, usable data and good data quality save time. This enables companies to respond more quickly and accurately to planned outages, or to ensure that plants are started as planned after planned outages.

三

The next step in AR technology

Speech recognition and speech interaction

Fortunately, a new mode of interaction has emerged -- sound. Yes, AR technology that understands and interacts with people.

At present, speech recognition technology has been very mature, voice auxiliary devices, such as Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, Google Home, iFlytek and other domestic and foreign giants are setting off the trend of the industry. Alexa may not be available on the shop floor, but the speech recognition and natural language processing (NLP) technologies that support it are maturing. Research and consulting firm Gartner predicts that natural language generation and artificial intelligence (AI) will become the standard for 90% of modern business intelligence platforms by 2020. According to Forrester, another research and consulting firm, the demand for developers who know how to build AR - and NLP-based experiences will increase.

In addition, voice recognition technology can quickly call an expert who can provide guidance directly from an AR device to initiate a live call. This can lead to faster problem resolution, helping new and inexperienced workers speed up repairs quickly and close the skills gap.

With more seamless interactions, voice will not only drive widespread adoption of AR, but also lay the foundation for other disruptive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and AI. Together, these solutions will best prepare the maintenance project and its employees for a better future.

With the right combination of NLP and sensors, AR driven wearable devices will not only be limited to tablets, phones, glasses and glass screens, but also more application cases will emerge.

Boeing and other aerospace manufacturing enterprises AR maintenance applications

It is reported that AR maintenance technology is the earliest and most mature in the field of aircraft maintenance. Boeing is an aerospace giant that has combined voice capabilities with AR. For example, using Upskill's AR platform, technicians who assemble complex wiring harnesses use voice commands to interact with software on smart glasses while remaining hands-free to perform tasks. The combination of voice and AR increases productivity by 25 percent and effectively reduces errors to zero.

Similarly, GE Aviation uses voice to interact with AR on a glass screen and integrate with a Wi-Fi-enabled torque wrench to instruct technicians to properly tighten B-nuts on jet engines. In one pilot program, GE Airlines improved efficiency by 8 to 12 percent. In addition, GE Aviation conducted a six-month virtual reality (VR) pilot project last year, using Google Glass and Upskill software from Google, and found that 60% of participants preferred AR technology to traditional methods of work.

Another recent investment by Boeing HorizonX is Pittsburgh-based C360 Technologies, which specializes in 360-degree video and AR /VR technology. Like Boeing, Honeywell is partnering with AR suppliers to push AR technology for industrial and aerospace applications. Honeywell is part of Realwear's Pioneer Program, and has been working with Microsoft to use its HoloLens mixed-reality glasses to train factory workers through its Connected Plant Skills Insight system. The Skills Insight system combines AR/ VR training with data analytics to enhance the effectiveness and duration of employee training. Honeywell says it is working to adapt such systems to pilot training and maintenance jobs, such as using AR headsets to read engine part number nameplates directly, or information about corroded or defaced parts.

Airbus said its partnership with Microsoft would enable it to better understand AR technology and to take full advantage of its potential. Much as Boeing uses Glass Enterprise for wiring, the Airbus electrical team is using HoloLens virtual reality goggles to see the status of parts surrounded by wiring harness at the top of the body. The company says the headset AR tool can speed up installation by 25 percent and make the operator's job easier and more comfortable.

Boeing sees potential for the future C360's AR video capabilities in a variety of scenarios, including immersive airborne entertainment, aerial surveys and "future factories."