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SPECIAL REPORT: AUGMENTED/VIRTUAL/MIXED REALITY
AR Is Propelling Space Transformers

Manufacturing and Inductors

By George Leopold PICO small!
...think
o hear the purveyors and early The resulting workflows have been used
adopters of augmented reality to reduce touch labor for Orion spacecraft think...
platforms tell it, the technology is components, including fasteners and accel-
T emerging as the ultimate “mea- erometers with narrow tolerances. low profile
sure twice, cut once” reference check for The company estimates that AR tech- from
an increasing number of mission-critical nology has reduced touch labor for drilling
aerospace and military systems. by 45% and for torque applications by 50%. .18" ht.
Last fall, we reported on Lockheed The task of tightening Orion’s fasteners
Martin Corp.’s embrace of AR technology was reduced from six weeks to two weeks
as it builds NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The using AR.
world’s largest defense contractor is work- Peterson said that AR and MR tools Over 5000 Std.
ing with large and small AR developers to have also streamlined the translation and Ultra Miniature
speed the presentation of workflow data presentation of workflow data ranging from
spanning assembly, test, and maintenance. assembly and manufacturing to test and Surface Mount
Among the aerospace giant’s key AR maintenance steps. AR software can also be
suppliers are Microsoft, with its “mixed used to add part identifiers or color coding (and Plug-In) Models
reality” HoloLens platform, and Scope AR, a of components. Assembly steps can then be
animated. Audio / 400Hz / Pulse
Augmented reality tools In one example, Peterson said that Multiplex Data Bus /
are allowing companies technicians don virtual reality goggles that DC-DC Converter
display the precise spot where a space-
like Lockheed Martin craft component should be attached. For Transformers / Power
& EMI Inductors
volume parts like connectors, technicians
to complete production previously had to measure manually before
See Pico’s full Catalog immediately
activities in half the time. installing individual components. www.picoelectronics.com
Lockheed Martin, which pioneered the
use of disruptive technologies like quantum
software vendor specializing in AR training computing to help debug mission-critical
tools. Those companies are at the leading code, is among a growing list of manufac- PICO units manufactured
edge of efforts to push AR and MR tools turers embracing AR technologies. Others and tested to MIL-PRF-27
into the mainstream. include Boeing, Siemens, and Toyota. requirements. QPL units
In November, Scope AR announced Indeed, market watchers say that manu-
support for Microsoft HoloLens 2 on its facturers are embracing augmented reality are available. Delivery
flagship AR platform, called WorkLink. for a range of applications. In a recent AR stock to one week for
That combination is aimed directly at adoption survey, business consultancy
large enterprises like Lockheed Martin that PwC reported that product design and sample quantities.
can afford to invest in AR tools for huge development are the most popular AR
projects such as Orion while getting a return applications, followed closely by safety VISIT OUR EXCITING
on investment in the form of manufacturing and skills training along with maintenance NEW WEBSITE
efficiencies. The contractor is using AR tools and equipment operation. www.picoelectronics.com
to assemble various Orion components, “What we’re seeing, then, is [virtual
including the skeletal framework of the reality and] AR as an advanced manufac- PICO Electronics,Inc.
spacecraft’s titanium heat shield. turing technology tool — just like robotics, 143 Sparks Ave. Pelham, N.Y. 10803
Among the goals in adopting AR technol- 3D printing, and the internet of things,” the E Mail: info@picoelectronics.com
ogy for aerospace projects with the strictest PwC survey concluded. www.picoelectronics.com
of tolerances is what Scope AR’s Scott The bottom line for aerospace compa- Pico Representatives
Montgomerie calls “real-time knowledge nies applying AR, said Peterson, is a 50% England
Solid State Supplies/Ginsbury
transfer.” reduction in the time needed to complete E-mail: russell.bennett@sssltd.com
On the factory floor, the AR specialist is manufacturing tasks. Phone: 44 1634 298900
Fax: 44 1634 290904
working with Lockheed Martin to develop “Augmented reality is allowing us to Belgium/Luxemburg/France
training manuals that include animations complete space manufacturing activities Netherlands/Scandinavia
for assembling spacecraft components. in half the time,” she said. “It’s becoming a ELCOS/BVBA
Training time for Orion technicians was reality today.” ■ E-mail: info@elcos.be
Phone: 32 3 218 20 73
reduced by 85%, according to Shelley www.elcos.be
Peterson, Lockheed Martin’s augmented George Leopold is a contributing writer to Germany
technology project leader. EE Times Europe. ELBV/Electra Bauemente Vertrieb
E-mail: info@elbv.de
Phone: 49 089 460205442
Fax: 49 089 460205442
www.eetimes.eu | APRIL 2020