Applications of Virtual Reality (VR) in Manufacturing

How VR Can be Used in Manufacturing

Due to its ability to recreate complex technological processes and visualize their operation, VR is widely used in manufacturing, within various use cases. Applying VR in manufacturing provides a flexible and immersive environment for better product design and employee training.

VR Prototyping

VR can be used to create virtual prototypes of products, tools, equipment, and production lines, recreating a variety of technological processes. Prototypes can be tested and refined before they are fully produced. VR prototyping is a computer-generated simulation of a 3D environment that can be interacted with using special VR headsets.

Using VR, manufacturers can create immersive simulations of their products and workflows to test new designs and processes before committing to expensive physical prototypes. Such interactive models allow engineers to see the product in the virtual environment and make all necessary adjustments before it is fully developed. This helps identify any potential issues in the early stages of production and allows for changes as needed.

VR prototyping allows companies to improve the quality of their products while reducing product development costs and time. It enables manufacturers to attract investments, boost innovation, and increase speed-to-market for their products. 

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VR Factory Floor Planning

Using a virtual environment, manufacturers can see the infrastructure of their future enterprise under construction and walk around an object modeled in 3D format. By loading a 3D model of a building or premises designed in VR, designers can see the project on a 1:1 scale. This helps to better assess the quality of the design as well as the ergonomic characteristics of the object, which cannot be done by just looking at a 3D model on a monitor screen. A 1:1 scale prototype lowers the cost and time required to prepare a mock-up commission.

Within the virtual environment, specialists from the logistics, security, and management departments can coordinate the location of equipment on the premises and the organization of production facilities. They can test scenarios for the plant’s future work and safety compliance before the building is put into operation.

VR Training

VR training makes it possible to train employees to operate new equipment or carry out procedures without the need for costly and time-consuming real-world training. Efficiency is attained by both the ability to master multiple tools and the capacity of VR to immerse users in real-world scenarios. In a safe VR environment, specialists can practice how to serve and maintain an enterprise, studying a proven algorithm of actions in different situations. This may involve synchronizing operations by several employees or rarely repeated but critical procedures. 

VR minimizes the risks related to an accident in production or the breakdown of expensive equipment. Trainees do not just formally memorize the procedure; they visually work it out at each stage of work. Virtual learning can be digitally scaled to a large number of employees, and it allows for unlimited practice before automating actions. It is possible to train remotely with minimal assistance from professional mentors. Because of its ability to effectively load balance, VR training in manufacturing reduces the cost of hiring specialists who teach staff.

VR Safety Training

With VR, you can simulate emergencies for training purposes. Often, it is either dangerous or impossible to reproduce emergency situations in real life. So, employees have only theoretical knowledge of how to respond to difficult situations. Leveraging VR for safety training can prepare employees for any challenge. Executing an evacuation plan and safety testing in an interactive environment allows employees to acquire better skills more quickly.

VR safety training eliminates the risk of financial damage to the company and harm to the trainee while learning. Safety directors can train employees more effectively by using virtual content to assess their performance. They are able to track data and report analytics on the effectiveness of the training, or use this information to create standards and guidelines for workplace safety. As a result, this can lower the possibility of penalties or claims.

VR Manufacturing Process Simulation

VR in the manufacturing industry is used for simulating manufacturing processes, testing, and research purposes. It can be used to design new processes, create 3D models, and develop a VR demonstrator for production line automation.

VR lets employees understand the value of production by allowing them to adapt processes rapidly in real-time without compromising on quality or safety standards.

As well, VR helps factories become more productive by automating processes and planning production activities. The virtual environment allows businesses to optimize their floor space, moving workers and shifting equipment as needed. It is also possible to test factory settings in VR. The speed and quality of production play an important role in the success of the enterprise, so it is possible to save time on processes that can run in parallel to each other.

VR Inspection and Quality Control

Industrial and equipment inspections are two examples of using VR in manufacturing. Safety inspectors and plant management can simultaneously monitor every aspect of the production and make any necessary improvements quickly and easily.

VR is an effective tool for obtaining remote assistance from safety control specialists who are unable to physically visit the enterprise. They can virtually attend required conferences and meetings. Industrial IoT devices connected with virtual reality can provide valuable data that will help with decision-making. This reduces travel costs and time for inspection approval.

VR Promoting

Manufacturers can use VR as a way of promoting their products. They use virtual reality to identify showcases, showrooms, and provide digital twin technology. They hold interactive shows where future customers can explore their products in detail without the necessity of building costly physical prototypes. Retailers are able to store products in a virtual environment like a real store and virtually display different models.

How VR Can be Used in Industries