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Feature sponsored by


XR: AUGMENTED, MIXED AND VIRTUAL REALITY FEATURE Theorem Solutions


explains how Extended Reality (XR) is enabling engineers planning factory and plant layouts to create


fully immersive digital spaces that can be reviewed


be digitally


transported inside your design with xr


W


hen creating and planning factory and plant layouts, Extended Reality (XR) is helping to bridge the gap between the


digital and physical. XR enables engineers to visualise and interact with a combination of data formats (3D CAD, AEC data, PLM data, scanned data) in a single design layout, in real world and immersive environments, providing tangible benefits for existing and greenfield site design. The creation of fully immersive digital spaces


that can be reviewed collaboratively and updated in real time means an accurate overview of workspace requirements and important human factors around accessibility, visibility and space allocations, can be produced. Combining design assets and the latest


Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality devices (Microsoft HoloLens 2, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Magic Leap, Oculus Quest, or Android and IOS devices) with high quality streaming/rendering capabilities is the next step in large-scale design. But how accessible is this technology? Or rather, how disruptive is it?


easy viewing and navigation


Whether it’s just a section of an assembly line, or an entire facility, layouts are usually designed on a computer. However, on a 2D monitor you can never really grasp the scale – or the ergonomics – of a full design. While some companies go as far as to build a cardboard replica, today XR is revolutionising the way that these layout plans are produced and reviewed. But having gone from 2D to full scale 3D,


how do you then navigate your way around such a large-scale design? With the right tools, a simple ‘save as’ or drag


and drop procedure from within the native design applications, or an export directly from a PLM system, prepares and optimises data for use in


XR, digitally transporting the user directly inside their designs, whilst removing any barriers related to accessing data on a device. With Mixed and Virtual Reality, factory and


plant plans can be reviewed at full scale to give engineers a better idea of the size of a project. But, it can still be difficult to fully navigate around them – especially if building plans are for more than one storey. So the ability to use waypoints to teleport from one area to another area enables users to easily navigate through a planning review session.


reducing project time


Using your own library of data gives designers and planners the option to swap out and change fixtures and fittings in real-time and save the different iterations for future reference. Having a library full of digital assets that may be required for the layout means parts of the design can be edited; and variations on models of machinery, work benches, robot cells, storage units and others, means that options can be tried until the right combination fits. Carrying out this process digitally in advance


enables project time to be reduced when it comes to the actual build, further reducing costs. Furthermore, human centred operations can


be assessed in XR using mannequins that can be switched to match different characteristics. Design and operational aspects of a variety of human factors can be visualised to determine reachability, access, and injury risk situations to assist with determining compliance to safety and ergonomic standards.


global collaboration


A major benefit of using XR for factory and plant layouts are the collaboration capabilities. With a device and a Wi-Fi connection, teams located


collaboratively and updated in real time


globally are able remotely meet and review a proposed layout or change. At full scale it is possible to better understand technical challenges, quickly approve design amendments and make decisions, saving money on travel and reducing time to production. For those that can’t attend, it is possible to capture those decisions for later review. Staff members without an immersive device


can collaborate and visualise a live layout session from their desktop. If offline licensing is available, users can cache


a license to their device and access their data without a network connection – this is especially useful when visiting prospective greenfield sites.


the theorem-xr suite


At its core, Theorem-XR enables Engineering and Manufacturing companies to optimise, visualise and collaborate around their 3D design data at full scale and in context, supporting enhanced remote collaborative engineering focused XR use cases for Visualisation, Design Review, Training, Visual Digital Twin and Factory Layout. The Factory Layout Experience provides an


environment for defining, reviewing, editing and validating shop floor and plant layouts using XR technology. This can be done collaboratively with colleagues in different offices or countries, using libraries of existing plants, tools and equipment in a combination of data formats (3D CAD, AEC data, PLM data, scanned data), in a single design layout. Theorem-XR is underpinned by the


Visualisation Pipeline which provides fast, efficient and flexible automated data preparation for 3D CAD, AEC data, PLM data and scanned data. With the added benefit of only needing to prepare data once, Theorem-XR works for the individual and the enterprise, at all levels and all stages of the Extended Reality journey. By using XR to anticipate problems, make


better decisions, save time and identify design challenges, organisations can facilitate more creative discussions and solve real world problems quickly and collaboratively.


Theorem Solutions T: 01827 305350 www.theorem.com


DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 17


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