Digital support for production processes: The ARRANGE software package is a highly effective solution for the optimization of sorting processes. Operated in combination with augmented reality glasses, it displays related components in color directly in the employees’ field of vision. This minimizes susceptibility to errors during sorting, speeds up processes and consequently reduces costs.
Sorting processes still take place manually in many industries, for example in the stamping of sheet metal parts in the automotive sector. ARRANGE recognizes the real objects and automatically assigns them to different customers. Colored overlays aid the human workforce: for example, blue is destined for customer A, yellow for customer B. Equipped with AR glasses, the sorting line staff have the solution to the jigsaw puzzle right in front of their eyes.
The potential of the software becomes apparent in the case of sheets containing up to one hundred elements, where there is no longer any need to look at the external monitor in order to compare the punched-out elements with the images displayed there. This not only increases sorting speed, but also minimizes susceptibility to error, both of which help to reduce costs. If an item is incorrectly assigned, ARRANGE gives instant feedback in the employee’s field of vision. In this way, the error can be immediately corrected and does not bring the sorting process or further production to a halt.
The artificial intelligence-based software was trained exclusively with synthetic data. It therefore recognizes real objects solely on the basis of their three-dimensional CAD model equivalents. This solution considerably shortens the learning process for the artificial intelligence. Whereas a large set of real photographs from different angles was previously necessary, the object can now theoretically be detected in camera images even before it goes into production. The technology was developed in collaboration with a well-known tool manufacturer whose input was invaluable in meeting the actual needs of industry.
