Towards a Cloud-based Architecture for Visualization and Augmented Reality to Support Collaboration in Manufacturing Automation

TL;DR

This paper presents a cloud-based architecture integrating visualization and augmented reality to enhance collaboration in manufacturing automation, demonstrated through two innovative prototypes using real equipment.

Contribution

It introduces two new demonstrators for distributed 3D environment viewing and real-time AR status display, leveraging cloud and web technologies in manufacturing.

Findings

Successful implementation of distributed 3D scan viewing

Real-time AR display of factory status achieved

Demonstrators applied to a mini-factory environment

Abstract

In this report, we present our work in visualization and augmented reality technologies supporting collaboration in manufacturing automation. Our approach is based on (i) analysis based on spatial models of automation environments, (ii) next-generation controllers based on single board computers, (iii) cloud-, service- and web-based technologies and (iv) an emphasis on experimental development using real automation equipment. The contribution of this paper is the documentation of two new demonstrators, one for distributed viewing of 3D scans of factory environments, and another for real time augmented reality display of the status of a manufacturing plant, each based on technologies under development in our lab and in particular applied to a mini-factory.