Industry Forum

New Product IntroductionIn Digital Manufacturing I mentioned that the time for NPI is being reduced, thanks to the use of technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and 3D printing.

While these methods may have been considered too expensive, the development of the cloud and Internet of Things is making them readily accessible, even for SME’s.

Having recently seen these digital processes in action, I thought it would be good to show how they can be used to eliminate waste and reduce cost from our NPI projects.

I’ve used links to videos to show you these processes in action. Much better than words. You can Google more examples, watch out though it is addictive!

VR

A person using specialist electronic equipment interacts with a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment.

This technology is already used in immersive vehicle design and for creating plant layouts. Take a look at this video from Ford; it describes how VR enables real time collaboration from designers across the world.

AR

Computer generated virtual information is placed directly into our world. Unlike VR the user doesn’t require a portal to access the image.

Auto and aero manufacturers are already experimenting with AR as part of their design and development programmes. Tests show that errors and time to assemble are reduced, even for first time users.

To give you an idea of how AR works in an industrial setting, take 5 minutes to watch this clip on the Daqri Smart helmet, a piece of wearable tech.

And if that isn’t futuristic enough for you, try wearable holograms!

3D printing

Material is “printed” thin layer after thin layer in simple or complex shapes to create a fully functioning, 3D part. It is also known as additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping and free form fabrication.

New Product Introduction

 

It’s really not a gimmick! You can print strong, working, complex items. Look at this video of a working wrench being made.

If you want to know how it works, read this.

3D printing is widely used to make prototypes, but is also now being used for part production. And if you need to scale up your business – just use more printers!

The uses of 3D printing seem to be limited only by our imagination. In the future we could have 4D printing. Yes the 4th dimension is time!

Benefits

When used as part of a seamless digital manufacturing solution, these technologies help to reduce the time for design, prototyping, validation, training and ramp up to full production. And there are quality and cost benefits as well.

It becomes quicker to:

  • Retrieve information. You ask the system for what you want and it delivers it to your line of sight.
  • Transfer information from system to system (no longer manual).
  • Interpret the information you are given compared to a written Standard Operating Procedure.
  • Capture, store and distribute lessons learned (instant rather than weeks).
  • Create prototypes. There is no minimum batch size, no moulds or jigs to make and set ups are almost instant.

It becomes easier to:

  • Communicate results. Complex ideas can be shared visually with stakeholders at design reviews.
  • Visualise how the product will look and fit together before making a prototype. This allows designers to identify and resolve problems earlier in the process. It also minimises the number of physical iterations.
  • Simulate assembling the parts to eliminate operator motion waste later in the process.
  • “Immersively” train operators in advance of production.

Next weeks blog will look at other smart technologies and their impact on eliminating waste from our processes.

 

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