Introduction to Virtual and Augmented Reality at BMW
The BMW Group has been increasingly specializing in the usage of virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications in its production process. These technologies have change into essential tools in various areas, including training, workstation planning, and quality control. With VR and AR, images have gotten more realistic, making it difficult to tell apart them from real pictures. The better part is that these applications are easy to make use of and do not require extensive IT expertise.
Workstation Planning with Virtual Reality
Planners on the BMW Group can now use VR to evaluate recent production areas and test recent processes in 3D. This is made possible by digitized factory data available in 3D, which is captured using special 3D scanners and high-resolution cameras. The data provides a three-dimensional image of production areas, eliminating the necessity for complex digital reconstruction of structures and manual on-site recording. By combining existing data with a virtual library of common operating resources, the corporate can plan future workstations and whole assembly halls more efficiently.
Training and Qualification with Augmented Reality
The BMW Group’s Production Academy uses AR goggles to coach managers, production planners, and quality specialists. The AR training sessions guide participants through all process steps, providing specific information and allowing them to work at their very own pace. The use of AR goggles has increased the variety of participants that may be trained at the identical time, from one to 3, without compromising the standard of the training. The company has also developed an authoring tool that makes it easy to establish recent training programs, which may be adapted to other screw joint processes.
Target/Actual Comparisons in Operations
The BMW Group uses AR applications to check the actual and goal states of complex parts, equivalent to press tools. This process, which was once time-consuming, can now be done quickly and efficiently using an ordinary tablet and an AR application. The application superimposes the image of the tool with its CAD construction data, allowing staff to envision for deviations and rework the tool on site if mandatory. This technology can be used to envision the maturity of construction concepts and the right installation position of components in pre-series vehicles.
Benefits of Virtual and Augmented Reality
The use of VR and AR applications has brought quite a few advantages to the BMW Group’s production process. It has improved the efficiency of workstation planning, training, and quality control. The technology has also reduced the effort and time required for these processes, allowing the corporate to deal with other areas of production. With the continued development of VR and AR applications, the BMW Group is poised to stay on the forefront of innovation within the automotive industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the BMW Group’s use of virtual and augmented reality applications has revolutionized its production process. From workstation planning to training and quality control, these technologies have improved efficiency, reduced effort and time, and enhanced the general quality of production. As the technology continues to evolve, it’ll be exciting to see how the BMW Group and other corporations within the automotive industry will leverage VR and AR to remain ahead of the curve. With its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, the BMW Group is bound to stay a frontrunner within the industry for years to come back.
