The Vision: Virtual to Support Real Operations
August 23, 2023 | Óscar Martins, Critical ManufacturingEstimated reading time: 1 minute
It’s time to make the ideal of digital transformation a reality. Everyone seems to agree that is the path to manufacturing business success. Yet, not everyone knows how to proceed toward this digital future right now.
Hint: Combine the new Industry 4.0 technologies such as digital twin and augmented reality (AR) with up-to-date versions of proven software systems, particularly manufacturing execution systems (MES). Or better yet, find systems that inherently do that for you. Then create ways to ensure these digital and virtual systems reflect and fully support your physical and real operations.
There are many new technology approaches to consider in Industry 4.0. Here, we will focus mainly on two: digital twin and augmented reality (AR) and point to a third, digital thread, which is more an ideal data flow and approach that ties other technologies together.
Digital twin is a digital replica of a physical entity. While common in product design, that is just one type of digital twin (Figure 1). In manufacturing, it’s the set of models and data about a product, asset, production line, or plant that is continually updated through its lifecycle. Using Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) data allows real-time updates to the virtual model based on what’s happening in the real system.
Augmented reality (AR), as defined by MESA International, is: “Adding a virtual layer of contextual information at the right time and in the right place (e.g., through devices such as Google Glass). Augmented reality is expected to help plant floor workers perform a variety of non-repetitive tasks faster, such as assembly, picking, maintenance, and others.” The virtuality-reality continuum is a way to understand the relationship between the virtual and real worlds (Figure 2). Notice that there are also various mixes of virtual and real, notably augmented reality.
Continue reading the rest of this article in the August 2023 issue of SMT007 Magazine.
Suggested Items
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Tools, Training, and Trends in Manufacturing Engineering
04/25/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Kelly Dack and Product Specialist Erik Bateham of Polar Instruments discuss Polar's latest technology, including their role in aiding manufacturing engineers. They highlight the advanced capabilities of Polar's tools and the critical role of signal integrity analysis, as well as the importance of accurate modeling in board manufacturing. Polar's unique training approach and demonstration contact details are also explored.
TTM Celebrates the Grand Opening of Its First Manufacturing Facility in Penang
04/25/2024 | TTM Technologies, Inc.TTM Technologies, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions including mission systems, radio frequency (RF) components and RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and quick-turn and technologically advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs), officially opened its first manufacturing plant in Penang, Malaysia with an investment of USD200 million (approximately RM958 million).
Listen Up! The Intricacies of PCB Drilling Detailed in New Podcast Episode
04/25/2024 | I-Connect007In episode 5 of the podcast series, On the Line With: Designing for Reality, Nolan Johnson and Matt Stevenson continue down the manufacturing process, this time focusing on the post-lamination drilling process for PCBs. Matt and Nolan delve into the intricacies of the PCB drilling process, highlighting the importance of hole quality, drill parameters, and design optimization to ensure smooth manufacturing. The conversation covers topics such as drill bit sizes, aspect ratios, vias, challenges in drilling, and ways to enhance efficiency in the drilling department.
Elevating PCB Design Engineering With IPC Programs
04/24/2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCIn a monumental stride for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC has successfully championed the recognition of the PCB Design Engineer as an official occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This pivotal achievement not only underscores the critical role of PCB design engineers within the technology landscape, but also marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward nurturing a robust, skilled workforce ready to propel our industry into the future.
Fujitsu, METRON Collaborate to Drive ESG Success
04/24/2024 | JCN NewswireFujitsu Limited and METRON SAS, a French cleantech company specializing in energy management solutions for industrial decarbonization, today announced a strategic initiative to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality in the manufacturing industry.