Transforming Industrial Equipment Manufacturing with Augmented Experience

What are good examples of augmented reality in the workplace?

Innovative companies  are leveraging immersive technologies to revolutionize their operations. For instance, a leading aerospace firm uses smart glasses to guide technicians through complex wiring assemblies, reducing errors by 30%.

In automotive production, digital overlays assist quality inspectors, enhancing defect detection rates by 20%. A prominent electronics manufacturer employs visual aids for inventory management, cutting picking times in half.

Remote expert collaboration tools enable real-time guidance from specialists, slashing downtime by 40% in critical machinery repairs. These advancements not only boost efficiency but also improve workplace safety and employee satisfaction.

By integrating contextual data into daily tasks, businesses are witnessing significant improvements in productivity and precision across various sectors.

How is augmented reality used in manufacturing?

Here are some practical applications of DELMIA’s Augmented Experience. In part one of our series, we discussed the theoretical benefits of Augmented Experience (AX) for the industrial equipment sector. In this second part, we’ll explore real-world applications, showcasing how manufacturers have successfully integrated DELMIA’s Augmented Experience into their operations.

Industrial Equipment Challenges

Optimize assembly operations on tractors

Challenge: Agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and is thus complex to assemble. However, traditional assembly methods still depend on 2D, paper-based work instructions, which can be open to interpretation and lead to errors. Furthermore, these machines often undergo a lot of variants and configuration changes, posing significant challenges for manufacturers in ensuring the quality of their products.

Solution: : By implementing an augmented reality solution such as DELMIA’s Augmented Experience, manufacturers can enhance the quality of their assembly operations through AR-based guidance. Operators follow digital work instructions displayed in augmented reality directly on the parts they need to assemble, using AR glasses or a projection system. This approach minimizes the risk of errors and reduces the mental load on operators, helping them achieve first-time accuracy in production tasks. Additionally, it shortens preparation time by eliminating the need for paper templates and manual markings.

Improve inspection process of jigs and fixtures from suppliers

Challenge: For manufacturers of industrial equipment, it is essential to ensure that the tooling received from suppliers, especially jigs and fixtures, conforms to the original design before integrating these components into the assembly line. A non-conforming tool can significantly affect the quality of the produced parts and lead to considerable costs. However, the inspection process for such tooling is often quite complex, as each piece is typically unique.

Solution: The DELMIA Augmented Experience assists manufacturers with the incoming inspection of jigs and fixtures. Using a tablet, an industrial camera or AR glasses, a 3D model of the part is overlaid on the actual part, enabling easy verification of the conformity of the received equipment. The operator is guided through all inspection points, allowing for a step-by-step review of the various elements to ensure a thorough and reliable conformity check. Any detected errors are precisely referenced within the 3D model, and in an inspection report, supporting documentation needs for the discussions with the supplier.

Steps to Integrate Augmented Experience into your Operations

1. Assess your needs

Understand the specific areas where Augmented Experience can provide the most value. Whether it’s training, maintenance, or design, identify the key pain points in your operations.

2. Choose the right tool

Leverage DELMIA’s suite of AX tools tailored for industrial equipment manufacturing. Ensure that the tools align with your operational needs and can be seamlessly integrated into your existing systems.

3. Train your team and accompany change

Provide comprehensive training to your workforce on using AR technologies. The more familiar your team is with these tools, the more effectively they can utilize them to improve productivity. Include the operators from the beginning of the project to ensure a successful adoption of the technology.

4. Implement gradually

Start with a pilot project to test the waters. Gradually expand the use of AX tools across different departments, ensuring smooth integration and addressing any issues that arise.

5. Monitor and optimize

Continuously monitor the performance and impact of AX tools on your operations. Gather feedback from your team and make necessary adjustments to optimize the use of these technologies.

Conclusion

The future of industrial equipment manufacturing lies in the adoption of advanced technologies like Augmented Experience. DELMIA’s robust AX solutions offer manufacturers the tools they need to enhance training, streamline maintenance, and improve design processes.

By following the practical steps outlined above, you can seamlessly integrate AX into your operations, unlocking new levels of efficiency and innovation.

Are you ready to revolutionize your manufacturing processes with DELMIA’s Augmented Experience? Contact us today to discover how we can help you achieve your goals and stay ahead in the competitive industrial equipment industry.

In case you missed part 1, check it out here.