An Augmented Reality-Based Simulation Guide for Apparel Assembly

Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR)-based technologies have revolutionized prototyping and manufacturing operations in many industries despite limited applications in the context of apparel. Currently, digital technologies are demanded in the process of apparel ‘design to manufacturing’ to improve efficiency while maintaining the product defects to a minimum level. This study proposes an AR-based tool to educate sample machinists to assemble even a complicated new product to meet the exact design specifications. Such guiding device overcomes product defects which occurs due to misinterpretations of design details. This study was carried out in two phases. During the first phase, qualitative research methods were utilized to analyze the impact of new product failures which occur due to misinterpretations of prototyping instructions. Also, this phase was utilized to analyze their perceptions of AR-based guiding tool, along with the suggestions to develop such system to support product assembly. The second phase proposes relevant guide to develop the new AR tool and presents the acceptance of such tool from the focus group consists of potential users. Future work will include creating relevant contents based on the proposed screen images. Then it will be useful tool to train sample developers to produce the prototypes right first time.