Why Use Augmented Reality Solutions?
The market size for Augmented Reality (AR) applications was estimated to be $15.2B in 2021 and growing to over $90B by 2028. This shows clearly that companies are investing heavily in this transformative technology but why is it such a key innovation and how can you make best use of it?
The manufacturing sector of today faces the growing predicament of an aging workforce. This means there is an urgency to entice a new generation of workers and train them quickly, without compromising the safety of the operation or the product quality.
The problem is compounded in industries with complex manufacturing and assembly and in highly regulated industries where exacting standards must be maintained consistently in operations. So, how can AR help with these challenges?
Real-time Guidance and Assistance with AR
Imagine having a coach and assistant with you at all times as you are performing your daily tasks. Someone who is constantly offering guidance on what you are doing; how to do it safely; what risks could occur; and then evaluating what you have done. It sounds like an impossible luxury but this is essential what Augmented Reality delivers for workers. AR provides guidance and assistance for any operation in real-time by taking best practices and marrying them with visualization of the real world.
For example, digital assembly instructions developed directly from 3D digital mock-ups (DMUs) are materialized in the field by being projected directly onto the equipment or displayed on a screen. This shows the worker precisely what operation to perform and how during the production process.
In addition to assembly assistance, you can see AR applications in manufacturing across many different use cases such as …
- Quality Control of Assemblies: Controlling and identifying instances of non-compliance reliably and accurately at each stage of the manufacturing process
- Inspection of Supplier Equipment on Receipt: Ensuring parts are compliant before integrating them into the assembly lines
- Assistance with maintenance operations: Checking inspection control points and automating reports and documentation
One benefit of these use cases is the dramatic reduction in preparation time required for operators to start their tasks. It also reduces the possibility of error rates as operators are given precise guidance for each task. Overall, this means that production rates are increased, meaning more work can be done in less time, which will reduce costs in general over time. What is more, and the operators themselves can attain higher skill levels faster as they are continuously being “trained” as they work.
Augmented Reality’s Proven Value
Across many different applications, AR has proven to be a valuable investment for many industries. Companies report immediate gains across key manufacturing metrics such as …
- Quality gains by reducing error risk by up to 90%
- Saving time by reducing cycle times from 20% to up to 80% in certain industries
In addition, there are other benefits benefits of augmented reality in manufacturing. These include creating safer working environments for employees in hazardous or heavy manufacturing situations, which can dramatically reduce claims of worker injury and insurance costs.
AR’s Place in the Future of Manufacturers
AR represents a key tool for manufacturers to upgrade their shop floor and provide modern tools to attract the next generation of workers, capture existing best practices and then replicate them across the workforce. If you would like to learn more about use cases and benefits of AR, we invite you to read our recently published article in the Journal of the Manufacturing Leadership Council.
The Manufacturing Leadership Council is a member-driven industry organization that focuses on innovation trends related to Manufacturing 4.0 and supply chain. Their journal contains many relevant and thought-provoking articles on new and innovative manufacturing technologies. We highly recommend you consider learning more about their purpose and the benefits they provide to their members.
DELMIA is proud to be joined by the team from DIOTA who bring years of experience and innovation in driving digital transformation in the manufacturing industry using Augmented Reality.