HoloLens in Manufacturing: Use Cases of Speeding Up Manufacturing Through AR

The increased adoption of HoloLens, an AR-enabled wearable developed by Microsoft, has paved the way for augmented reality (AR) in manufacturing. HoloLens has already become a staple within the industry through increased efficiency and reduced costs.

• The global mixed reality market size is estimated at USD 5.87 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 38.08 billion by 2030. (Mordor Intelligence)
• HoloLens currently enjoys a 73.8% CAGR.
  

Manufacturing Sector Overview

The manufacturing sector had come to a standstill at the onset of the pandemic.

• The PMI slipped down to 57.5.
• Contribution to GDP shrunk to 13.8%.
  
  

It was at this low that the sector decided to adopt some changes such as digitization, flexible supply chains, and tripling the investment in technology. Another factor of consideration was the shrinking workforce and the reluctance of new blood to join the force.

All this was addressed through the adoption of industrial AR/VR and other cutting-edge tech.

Benefits of Augmented Reality in Manufacturing

Augmented reality in manufacturing can be used to enhance productivity, safety, and accuracy. AR VR can offer several benefits in manufacturing, including:

1. Better collaboration

By seamlessly integrating manufacturing with design processes through augmented reality, HoloLens fosters better collaboration across teams. Its advanced visualization tools enable real-time updates and interactive feedback, ensuring all stakeholders are synchronized.

This synergy not only minimizes errors but also accelerates decision-making, enhancing overall productivity and innovation in the manufacturing workflow.

2. Better training

Through AR and VR-powered safety training solutions, HoloLens enables workers to gain hands-on experience in a simulated environment, making learning more engaging and effective. Its advanced features reduce the time required to master complex tasks to just one-fourth of traditional training durations.

This efficiency not only accelerates workforce readiness but also minimizes costs and downtime for manufacturers, boosting overall productivity.

3. Better assembly

Complex assemblies and challenging maintenance tasks become significantly easier with HoloLens, as it enables teams to collaborate in real time, even from remote locations.

By leveraging AR overlays and precise instructions, workers can visualize intricate components and procedures, ensuring accuracy and reducing assembly errors.

This streamlined process not only improves efficiency but also fosters seamless teamwork across geographically dispersed teams.

4. Better visualization

HoloLens enables better data visualization and executive oversight. With a 100,000-foot view and the capacity to zoom in, live production capacity data and future manufacturing facilities can be explored.

Use Cases of HoloLens in the Manufacturing Industry

• ThyssenKrupp uses the tech for the design and construction of lifts. The area is measured through an AI integration to HoloLens, and the software designs a suitable lift or elevator. This reduces the time taken by one-fourth.

• The Starliner transport module by Boeing is designed using HoloLens.

• Apart from designing, HoloLens also helps in training. Boeing uses a voice-over-enabled visual representation of various aircraft parts to train its members. Boeing claims it has reduced the time by 75%.

• Besides training, the assembly can also be lubricated through HoloLens use. GE uses HoloLens to illustrate further steps to the personnel, thus increasing efficiency by 34%.

• At Toyota Japan, Koichi Kayano’s way of thinking about work changed the day he first put on a Microsoft HoloLens headset. “I was astounded because it lets us do the things we had never done before,” said the project manager at Toyota Motor Corp. in Japan.

He and his team now use the precise mixed reality technology (MR) capabilities of HoloLens to streamline tasks, improve quality, and solve problems – from inspecting the thickness of paint on vehicles to ensuring employee safety to installing factory equipment.

The Future of Manufacturing with HoloLens

A safe and efficient manufacturing process in the future across all industries. Manufacturers are reassessing risks after the pandemic and switching to more streamlined and efficient augmented reality tech is the first step.

• Digital transformation is seen by 48% of manufacturers.
• The AR headset market, including HoloLens, is estimated to reach $1.64 billion by 2025.

Using the HoloLens and digital twins in manufacturing allows manufacturers to have each step overlaid on the task at hand, enabling assembly workers to know exactly which stage of the process to do and how to do it.

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In a world of constantly shortened deadlines combined with the need to deliver top-notch quality products or suffer consequences by clients and customers on a short fuse, it is the need of the hour to reduce the margin of error.

The HoloLens not only lets manufacturers do that, but it also does it in an engaging interactive way.