Augmented Reality in Maintenance

How does augmented reality support maintenance?

Prolonged machine downtime can cost your company millions each year. Even after implementing predictive maintenance solutions, there is still a technician who needs to do the work. One who may be limited by lack of expertise, inadequate training, or unclear work instructions. Leveraging augmented reality ensures that your technicians have all the tools they need to be efficient and effective.

What are the benefits of using augmented reality for maintenance?

Augmented reality can be leveraged to improve technician training and provide them with clear instructions while out in the field. A better equipped technician can more effectively and efficiently diagnose and repair machines.

<p>Augmented reality can be leveraged to improve technician training and provide them with clear instructions while out in the field. A better equipped technician can more effectively and efficiently diagnose and repair machines. </p>

Reduce mean time to repair

As machines become more complex, the expertise needed to maintain them grows. Enabling your technicians with augmented reality work instructions gives them the guidance and context needed to repair machines faster.

Improve technician efficiency

Augmented reality work instructions can be easily updated and scaled across your organization, ensuring your technicians have access to the right information, where and when they need it, to get the job done.

Accelerate part identification

Identifying internal machine components can be difficult when using only 2D schematics. AR can offer an X-ray view of all internal parts, and technicians can select the part in need of repair to access instructions.

Enhance collaboration and remote support

AR remote support allows technicians to use their mobile devices to quickly share their view with experts. Unlike a traditional video call, experts can annotate through their touch screens on the physical world to provide clear guidance.

Boost training and development

Using AR for training allows technicians to follow in-context instructions, at their own pace, while working on actual machines. This decreases their time to productivity and improves knowledge retention.

Decrease errors and scrap

Using outdated or incomplete instructions can result in errors and rework. Augmented reality helps ensure technicians always have the most up-to-date instructions to complete repairs accurately.

Top AR use cases in equipment maintenance

Component locator

Augmented reality transforms schematics into 3D X-ray visualizations, which display detailed, accurate 3D content onto physical machines to show the inner components at scale. This allows technicians to quickly and easily locate parts in need of repair—improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Component Locator E-book

Guided 3D instructions

When compared to traditional methods, guided 3D augmented reality work instructions change the game. By leveraging existing CAD data, technicians are provided with clear, accurate step-by-step 3D instructions that are overlaid directly on the machine. This removes any ambiguity that paper-based documentation might have and improves maintenance efficiency.

Explore Work Instructions

Digital twin integration

Digital twins are virtual representations of physical products that are used to better understand their real-world counterparts. These 3D digital twins can be viewed in augmented reality, enabling technicians to get an in-depth view of how a machine works and all its related parts. This can be beneficial for training or used in preparation for a repair.

Explore Digital Twins

AR remote support

Augmented reality remote support combines interactive AR annotation technology with real-time video communications to connect your technicians to experts at different facilities or across the world. Users can draw digital annotations on mobile devices or desktops that stick to 3D physical objects in the real world, offering more enhanced guidance between workers.

Explore AR Remote Support

Automotive

Consumer demand for vehicles has never been greater, and prolonged downtime can cost automotive companies millions. AR work instructions can make all the difference.

Manufacturing

Manufacturers are facing the challenges that arise from retiring experts and fewer new hires. Leverage AR to capture knowledge and train your workers.

Life sciences

Pharmaceutical and medical device companies need to meet high levels of compliance. Discover how augmented reality can enable technicians to meet those strict standards.

Federal, aerospace, and defense

The FA&D industry is experiencing significant demand, while also combating workforce and part shortages. Make the most of your skilled technicians with augmented reality.

Automotive Consumer demand for vehicles has never been greater, and prolonged downtime can cost automotive companies millions. AR work instructions can make all the difference.

Manufacturing Manufacturers are facing the challenges that arise from retiring experts and fewer new hires. Leverage AR to capture knowledge and train your workers.

Life sciences Pharmaceutical and medical device companies need to meet high levels of compliance. Discover how augmented reality can enable technicians to meet those strict standards.

Federal, aerospace, and defense The FA&D industry is experiencing significant demand, while also combating workforce and part shortages. Make the most of your skilled technicians with augmented reality.

Case studies

Boosted training efficiency

Howden leverages Vuforia Studio to create step-by-step AR training procedures that can scale across their organization.

Read Howden’s Story

Increased service quality

Peterbilt enhances service quality and speed by enabling their technicians with AR 3D schematics.

Read Peterbilt’s Story

Improved customer experience

BID Group turns to Vuforia Chalk to improve their customer experience and service efficiency with collaborative AR remote assistance tools.

Read BID Group’s Story

Increased safety

Volvo improves the efficiency and safety of their first responders by providing AR-enabled X-ray views of critical components.

Read Volvo’s Story

Vuforia Studio is a flexible, efficient AR authoring solution that can leverage existing product data to create immersive 3D AR experiences.

Vuforia Expert Capture is a SaaS AR solution to improve worker efficiency with domain expertise captured on the job and AI-enhanced visual inspection.

Vuforia Chalk brings technicians and experts together for real-time problem-solving with clear AR annotations that stick to the physical world.