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Feature sponsored by


XR: AUGMENTED, MIXED AND VIRTUAL REALITY FEATURE merged reality! Suresh Rama, director, Business Intelligence and


Innovation, Raymond Slowik, senior R&D engineer and Jaee Jadhav, mechanical R&D engineer from Valiant TMS, examine their experience of working with Theorem’s XR concepts


V


aliant TMS is a full-service Industry 4.0 system integrator leading the way in digitalisation, process development, design


and technology integration. The company specialises in welding and joining, automated assembly and test, industrial parts washers and final assembly systems. Valiant TMS started using Theorem’s CAD


conversion solutions around ten years ago when it began looking for a partner to help develop a merged reality and IIOT concept. The direction Theorem had taken with its XR visualisation tools, with the use of 3D CAD content to create holographic models using the Microsoft HoloLens, made it the perfect partner.


the meRged RealIty concept


So let’s begin by talking about the Valiant TMS merged reality concept… Rama: I have a teenage son


at home who is really into virtual reality and video games and one day it struck me that his experience growing up must be so different from mine when I was his age. I assembled a team to


begin studying virtual technologies and how we can apply them to our process of designing and integrating industrial automation solutions. We knew we were on the brink of a major shift in how the industrial sector uses technology as we were already seeing it infiltrate this space in small ways. After comprehensive research, we selected


Microsoft HoloLens as our hardware platform and Theorem-XR as our software solution because of how well it worked with our existing 3D CAD data, and aligned with our ideas and concepts. Today, we have made significant progress.


Many of our teams have adopted this technology and use it every day – they rely on it to perform at a higher level. What started as an idea and concept within our


North American operation is now being used by our teams globally. Growth and adoption is still accelerating as more people are exposed to the benefits it brings. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a factor in increasing the rate of adoption because people need new ways to collaborate due to travel restrictions and health and safety concerns – the fact is that people still need to


there are two potential paths to implement a merged reality solution. One path is through the visualisation and


utilisation of our 3D CAD content to create holographic models that can be used and manipulated in space and in the real world through head gear or other forms of visualisation hardware. The other path, was the utilisation of information transfer, allowing individuals to quickly acquire knowledge based on directions provided through the visualization hardware. This is most often seen in instructional applications and many of the companies that we researched approached it from that direction. Our focus is on design, build and integration


of automation equipment and specialised manufacturing technologies. We wanted to empower the people on our manufacturing team with effective tools that would allow them to engage with the CAD design data as they assemble the actual equipment with the ability to validate that it’s been done right. We also needed a better way to perform


incoming material inspection, ensuring that it matches the approved design. Finally, we felt our


work in a team environment – they just need to do it from home instead of the office or plant.


meRged RealIty and IIot Slowik: I was tasked with developing a strategy and concepts to leverage and apply new technologies, such as merged reality and IIoT (industrial internet of things), for Valiant TMS. I spent a long time researching and examining


various hardware and software technologies from several companies to determine how our vision and what we needed differed from or aligned with what was currently available. We realised that


customers could benefit from an immersive review of our design proposals to ensure that our equipment will comply with their requirements, specifications, and expectations. Our vision aligned with what Theorem was


offering, so we decided to move forward with the solution.


RetuRn on Investment (RoI) Rama:We have several cases where traditionally it may have taken days to carry out a task, required travel time and related expenses and may have delayed our project timing. After adopting HoloLens with Theorem XR and applying them to our process we’ve been able to do many of these tasks in a matter of hours, without having to travel. It’s much more efficient. We have several specific use cases to show


some of the ways we have used the technology and realised its benefits.


upgRade to WIndsheIld InstallatIon RobotIc cell Jadhav: Theorem software on the HoloLens was used to verify clearances and detect interferences at our customers’ production plant. Valiant TMS used design models in the JT format which were virtually overlaid into the physical assembly line prior to building the tool kits.


• Robotic assembly cell was approximately 1,500ft2


in size


• Inspection occurred on a regular workday during 30 minute line stoppage at lunch


• Using HoloLens, the inspection was performed without the need to enter the cell and took approximately one hour in image collection and uploading for review


• Traditionally a laser scan can take upwards of five hours to carry out and requires the line to be stopped and emptied with a lock-out tag-out (LOTO) procedure carried out for safety – that’s why they are typically done off-shift or on a weekend


• Design engineers attended the on-site review and were able to visualise the tool changes from multiple angles in real time – this is not possible using the laser scan method


• Information was available to the engineers immediately after inspection – laser scan method would not be available for at least two days (one day scan, one day processing and delivery).


vIsualIzatIon Theorem’s Visualization Experience software has provided Valiant TMS with a unique opportunity to visualize 3D CAD models placed directly over real world equipment, tooling and components. Furthermore, TMS’ use of the software has improved their ability to quickly inspect tooling and components prior to acceptance from their vendors, ensuring that as-built components match as-designed plans, saving time and money at the assembly site.


Theorem Solutions T: 01827 305350


www.theorem.com NOVEMBER 2022 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 35


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