Concept of PLM Application Integration with VR and AR Techniques

Abstract

Nowadays, many industrial companies, including small and medium-sized ones, are adopting virtual manufacturing concepts to face global competition and major manufacturing challenges. The aim is to improve quality, shorten delivery time and reduce costs. However, most virtual manufacturing methodologies, tools and software are not integrated well enough to perform the required activities efficiently. Attention is usually focused on local and specific proficiency, thus jeopardising information exchange between departments, parallelism of work and communication along the product lifecycle. In these circumstances, the use of virtual production and digital representation of the production system and its processes becomes even more important to optimise production activities. Manufacturing industries are evolving towards digitisation, networking and globalisation. In the process of rapidly evolving information technology, digital tools and systems are being used in all industries, managing a variety of tasks throughout the product lifecycle with the use of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) applications. PLM class systems integrate a set of applications supporting product development. The paper presents the concept of the integration of PLM application with VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) techniques based on the example of the proprietary system integrating advanced PLM app with a mobile application in which AR technology has been implemented.