Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
the integration work takes place within the short downtime on weekends or company
holidays, while the production continues as usual and without incidents. But the
quality of the related CAD documentation at the beginning of every project can be
unreliable, creating a risk. If plans are based on incorrect data, significant issues will
appear during a new car model's integration. In worst case scenarios, production has
to be moved. To minimize this risk, data verification takes place in preparation of the
planning. The current status of a facility is analyzed and compared to existing virtual
information with the goal of verifying positions of equipment within the workspace.
The superimposition of images in the facility with the related CAD models enables a
visual comparison as depicted in the top left image in Fig.
7.7
. Based on the alignment
data, quality can be determined immediately. The biggest challenge is to find a
common coordinate system which is overcome in the following manner. A special
adapter is used to set the master marker in direct relation to a known coordinate
system of the analyzed facility. With the measurement the deviations between real
and virtual equipment are determined and transferred into the CAD software. This
eliminates the need for 3D scanning when evaluating the current status of facility.
In recent years, the complexity of maintenance and service operations in the
automotive industry has risen significantly. A wide variety of cars partly exist with
a small number of copies, which usually require specific maintenance processes
based on abstract and complex user manuals. One key to increase the efficiency of
service and maintenance procedures is to support the technicians effectively during
task performance. This requires an improvement of traditional repair instructions,
which guide the technician step-by-step through the maintenance task while provid-
ing all necessary information (e.g., description of task, tools to use). A use case of
air conditioner maintenance is shown in the bottom left image in Fig.
7.7
and for
car maintenance in the bottom right image in Fig.
7.8
. The “Window to the World”
application shown in the bottom right image in Fig.
7.7
combines the physical and
the virtual world in a very precise way. The system consists of a movable Augmented
Reality screen between the user and the object to be analyzed. Variants can be shown
or virtual parts not yet produced can be added to the physical prototype. The visu-
alization is even more realistic if the CAD model is enhanced using lighting effects
and reflections. In order to achieve very high and robust tracking, the system needs to
be based on the Infrared Tracking System, within flexible and high-volume working
spaces. A precisely calibrated camera is placed behind a monitor, in such a way that
the user literally looks through the monitor into the real-world.
Due to the need for shorter product life cycles and the rising complexity in
automotive construction and design, ease of comparison between actual prototypes
and CAD 3D models is key to reducing time and cost. Using AR as shown in the
top row of Fig.
7.8
, one can superimpose virtual 3D models directly onto the related
prototype. The camera system is calibrated optically and mounted directly to the
measuring arm. By knowing the position of the camera and aligning the measuring
arm with the prototype, an accurate superimposition of the CAD data and 3D model
can be created. Examples of AR in education are shown in Fig.
7.9
.
