14 ways augmented reality is changing WCM 4.0

Relationship between Augmented Reality and WCM 4.0

Augmented Reality (AR) has emerged as a transformative force in manufacturing, heralding the fourth industrial revolution. This groundbreaking system seamlessly integrates real-world images with real-time digital information overlays, creating a synergy that significantly enhances user experiences, particularly in manufacturing settings. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the impact and relevance of AR across various facets of manufacturing, examining its applications, architecture, and transformative effects on World-Class Manufacturing (WCM) 4.0.

AR Applications in WCM 4.0: AR operates on three layers—real-world, digital information, and augmented world. Leveraging digital objects and systems, AR integrates them into the natural world view, offering users a dynamic and interactive experience. In WCM 4.0, AR manifests through glasses, tablets, wearables, cloud manufacturing, wireless communication, and the industrial Internet of Things (IoT). The overarching goal is to optimize equipment performance, improve operations, enhance product quality, and empower human resources, thereby facilitating vertical integration of manufacturing operations.

AR Architecture: AR development tools fall into two categories: AR-related software frameworks and Graphical User Interface (GUI) authoring tools. The WCM 4.0 AR software platform enables the creation and modification of virtual content, bridging the gap between virtual information and the physical world. This framework empowers users to view and create virtual content within the constraints of the real-world scenarios provided by the world-class manufacturing structure.

Impact of AR in Various Pillars of Manufacturing:

1. People Development: AR revolutionizes people development by introducing self-learning simulation programs. It transforms best practices study sessions, training in class, and on-the-job training, enabling efficient knowledge creation, capture, and dissemination.

2. Office and Administration: In the realm of office and administration, AR enhances communication, scheduling, administration, and bookkeeping. It introduces hands-free communication, redefines traditional communication models, and provides real-time access to information, thereby streamlining administrative processes.

3. Group Activities: AR transforms group dynamics by enabling remote participation, accelerating norming and performing stages, and fostering cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence within groups.

4. Cost Management, OEE, and OLE: AR streamlines production processes, reducing turnaround times and providing agile responses to changes. It significantly improves cost management, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and Overall Labor Effectiveness (OLE).

5. Equipment Management: AR enhances equipment management by facilitating real-time monitoring of alarms and failures through the industrial Internet of Things.

6. Product Management: In product development and production, AR brings heightened visualization, allowing designers to translate 2-D information into the 3-D world. It optimizes product performance by monitoring production parameters and conditions in real-time.

7. Six S: AR guides 6S teams through safety protocols, aids in sorting actions, establishes and ensures adherence to 6S standards, and keeps track of 6S events for sustainability.

8. Energy and Water Management: AR enhances energy and water management by offering digital overlays of smart meter readings and facilitating real-time auditing of systems.

9. Safety, Health, and Environment: AR plays a vital role in eliminating injuries related to lack of awareness, inadequate training, insufficient work experience, and work monotony in the safety, health, and environment pillar.

10. Visual Management: AR reduces cognitive load and mental effort in visual management by enhancing workplace information processing, found on posters, visual boards, and other signs and signals.

11. Autonomous Maintenance: AR visualizes autonomous maintenance routines, checklists, and set points, empowering operators to carry out routine maintenance effectively.

12. Planned Maintenance: AR provides step-by-step guidance in planned maintenance, integrating real-time 3-D work instructions to enhance speed and reduce error rates.

13. Focused Improvement: AR enables real-time tracking and data collection of equipment performance, human work efficiency, and production resource utilization, facilitating continuous improvement.

14. Quality Maintenance: AR introduces thermal and x-ray vision for quality inspections, reducing inspection times by superimposing final product models on real-world products to expose defects in real-time.

Augmented Reality is revolutionizing manufacturing in the fourth industrial era, offering unparalleled benefits across various facets of World-Class Manufacturing. As AR continues to evolve, its impact on optimizing processes, enhancing collaboration, and improving overall efficiency is set to redefine the manufacturing landscape for years to come.