How AR Solutions can get you close to your customers without leaving town
Burckhardt Compression develops, manufactures, and sells labyrinth piston compressors, process gas compressors, hyper compressors and high-pressure as well as high-speed compressors and diaphragm compressors and offers a wide range of services solutions for those. They are used in industry to compress, transport and store gases. Their very long service life of 40 to 60 years makes customer relations and service decisive factors for the company's success.
Though almost 180 years old, the global market leader in reciprocating compressor systems is anything but old school. As an early adopter of AR technology, Burckhardt Compression is a forerunner in the industry, developing high-tech remote service solutions based on PTC’s augmented reality (AR) portfolio Vuforia.
UP! Solutions allow compressors to be monitored and serviced in real time with the customer technician using a tablet or wearing a HoloLens headset. The compressor units are equipped with sensors that constantly collect data such as vibrations or temperature. This data is then analyzed and used, for example, to detect anomalies or schedule service work.
This process helps customers digitize their processes and reap the efficiency benefits. UP! Solutions from Burckhardt Compression enable experienced technicians to virtually look over the shoulder of the customer on site to give them instructions, detailed explanations and tips on how to perform repairs.
Burckhardt Compression is in realization of their work instruction projects and modules using Vuforia Expert Capture and the Instruct module. Vuforia is able to capture an expert performing a process and can be used to transfer this domain knowledge to less experienced employees and then monitor the process during the learning phase. The system reinforces standard practices on how to perform their tasks safely and accurately. In further developing this "wingman" process, PTC is working closely with Burckhardt Compression, for valuable input from the field.
The two companies are also collaborating on the development of a type of Metaverse AR solution where the customer's work environment can be mapped in a virtual representation, so that the Burckhardt technician sees not only a limited view of the customer site, but the entire environment. Putting both technicians in the same metaverse, almost eliminates the distance factor. In addition, Burckhardt will integrate the first compressors with the IIoT platform PTC ThingWorx this year.