Leybold, a German company of the Atlas Copco Group, is the first vacuum pump manufacturer to test the diverse application possibilities of Augmented Reality (AR).
While executing tasks, service technicians obtain useful additional information and graphical documentation, partly in 3D. Leybold plans to extend the scalable AR apps to other product areas such as training, repair and maintenance purposes.
Since 2016, Leybold has been using the real-time visualisations and context-related information concepts of Augmented Reality for the dry pumping system DRYVAC.
Ease of use
The technology can be used anywhere in the world where specific, interactive user support is useful in service processes. It also offers advantages in facilitating learning and educational training, by allowing insights into the pump interior.
The training effort for the technicians is minimised through this visual support and the insertion of interactive content with understandable instructions and checklists. Step-by-step instructions fed into the eyesight range of technicians enable a lower error rate.
In operation
High resolution 3D graphics are projected onto the pumps exactly where the tasks have to be carried out. The relevant photo and audio functions can easily be embedded in the respective application. If necessary, different evaluations can be generated.
The pilot applications show that there are realistic presentation possibilities of AR applications on smartphones and tablets.
The AR can be operated using Microsoft HoloLens glasses; with these, technicians can work and train without having to hold a device in their hands.
“We see a great potential for applications in the field of Augmented Reality, especially in industrial processes,” said Eckart Roettger, President of Industrial Vacuum Service. “Instead of taking the instructions from a manual, apprentices have the whole procedure on the object visulaised in the display.”
Once the software is fully installed, any number of AR applications can be created for training and service scenarios of all products.
In collaboration
Leybold is working on this project with REFLEKT ONE, a software for industrial applications from the Munich-based specialist for Augmented and Virtual Reality RE'FLEKT.
“Many customers know the benefits of Augmented Reality. The problem, however, is to create tailor-made applications for a variety of products,” said RE'FLEKT CEO, Wolfgang Stelzle.
“The scalability of our platform makes it easy for the customer to do it themselves.”
