Virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality techniques are becoming essential to manufacturers in many sectors, from car design to architecture, which is why we have invested in the latest technology to design and engineer our processing equipment products and systems.
Virtual reality, for example, allows us to look at model simulations of our designs in an immersive way, equipping us with tangible knowledge that can’t be realised using more traditional engineering methods. It is a very powerful tool for us to develop our product range, especially if a bespoke solution is required.
Augmented Reality and Factory Acceptance Tests
Augmented reality offers an exciting new way to collaborate with our customers at the later stages of a project. We are now using augmented reality to remotely conduct factory acceptance tests (FATs).
Our international customers, in particular, can benefit from this service by giving them the opportunity to observe important final testing of their equipment live (or via augmented reality recording) prior to its delivery, without the usual requirement to travel to our manufacturing facility to observe the tests in person, saving time and travel costs.
Virtual Reality and Ergonomic Testing
Ergonomic testing is critical to the mechanical engineering process. For process equipment manufacturers, the traditional way of doing this is by commissioning a full-scale wooden mock-up of the equipment, which is costly and adds additional time to the project.
Though wooden mock-ups are sometimes necessary, we find that we are using virtual reality technology more often to ergonomically test our processing equipment. This could be making sure glove ports are in an acceptable position or internal door handles can be reached easily and safely.
Combining a 3D CAD model of the equipment with a simple test rig and virtual reality technology means we can accurately simulate the operator’s processes to create a lifelike ‘mixed reality’ version prior to manufacture.
The technology also allows us to collaborate with our customers in an entirely new way. We can now demonstrate equipment design changes remotely, rather than by multiple site visits, giving us the opportunity to engage and communicate with customers more efficiently and safely, as well as improve our lead times.
Digital Twinning – The Future of Equipment Design
Digital Twinning is a new technology borne out of the Industry 4.0 revolution in manufacturing and smart technology. We see this technology as being an important tool for our design service in the future, allowing us to utilise processing information provided by our customers to better-design new high-performance equipment and systems for them more quickly and economically.
As part of the development process, we’ll be able to edit a sophisticated digital/virtual prototype of the newly designed equipment or system to ensure its design and performance will meet and even exceed the customers’ expectations before we manufacture it. The benefits will be wide-ranging and tangible for their processes, efficiencies and profitability.
Hosokawa Micron’s Digital Engineering capabilities assist in the development of all Hosokawa Micron Ltd equipment and process system projects, including Front End Engineering and Design Studies. For further information, please click here
Want to find out more? Contact us…
To discover more about our Digital Engineering services, please get in touch with our expert Equipment Sales team by email. For immediate assistance or advice, feel free to give them a call on +44 (0)1928 755100
