SME WOOD MANUFACTURERS LOOK TO SMART GLASSES
Made Smarter’s technology adoption programme is deploying smart glasses to SME wood manufacturers to virtually fast track their digital adoption strategies and navigate COVID-19 restrictions.
The wearable device enables technology specialists from Made Smarter to perform virtual end to end production line walks of factories with a business as part of the digital transformation workshop (DTW) process. These fully-funded, bespoke workshops are led by technology advisers who cut through the jargon to provide impartial advice to help a business identify the most effective technologies to overcome their operational challenges.
The virtual visit allows advisers to dial in to a conference call and watch each manufacturing operation being performed in order. This enables discussions around inputs, outputs, process control, and quality performance in order to provide a clear picture of each businesses’ bespoke operation. The introduction of smart glasses has enabled Made Smarter to overcome access restrictions and limitations caused by the pandemic to get the vital insights needed to support the manufacturer’s digital transformation. It also gives manufacturers a valuable opportunity to test how this emerging technology could be used in their business.
Will Kinghorn, Industrial Digital Technology Advisor for Made Smarter, said: “In the wake of the pandemic we redesigned our digital transformation workshops to continue delivery when in-person visits were not possible. This approach has helped 141 manufacturers engage in a streamlined process designed to accelerate manufacturing growth by identifying digital tools and technologies that can maximise operational processes.”
Made Smarter has different types of smart glasses to suit different requirements including: the Epson Moverio, Realwear HMT-, Vuzix Blade and Magic Leap. The glasses come with a 4G dongle to ensure connectivity if there are WiFi or network coverage challenges. They even work offline, which means manufacturers can record a video of the production line walk which can be reviewed later. The glasses are connected through Remote Eye software which enables a live stream video and the opportunity to take high-definition screenshots which can be tagged in a library for swift access. Viewers can also use a cursor to direct the wearer to any areas of interest and annotate the picture in real time.
