18 AUGMENTED REALITY IN ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING https://ecelectronics.com/ Issue 1 2025 Power Electronics Europe www.power-mag.com 5 Key Uses for Virtual and Augmented Reality in Electronics Manufacturing In the rapidly evolving world of electronics, staying ahead of the curve is imperative. That’s why many electronics and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are investing more and more in new technologies, particularly in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Far from being merely futuristic concepts, these technologies are transforming the industry today, enhancing efficiency, accuracy and productivity across various stages of the manufacturing process. In fact, the global AR and VR market in manufacturing is projected to reach $88.4 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.5% from 2023. This surge in adoption is driven by the benefits these technologies bring to the table — from improving quality control and maintenance to enhancing training, design and prototyping. Let’s delve into five significant applications of VR and AR in manufacturing, exploring their benefits and considerations… 1. Better prototyping and design AR and VR are transforming the design and prototyping stages by allowing engineers and designers to visualise products in 3D before they are built. VR can be used to create virtual prototypes that can be tested and modified in a virtual space, whereas AR can project design iterations onto physical objects — providing a hybrid view that combines the new designs with existing physical components. Benefits: Augmented and virtual reality technologies significantly reduce the time required to develop and refine prototypes. Cost savings. Electronics manufacturers and OEMs can cut down on the material costs associated with physical prototypes. These technologies facilitate better communication and collaboration amongst design teams, regardless of their location. Considerations: Technical skills. Before employees can start realising the full benefits of AR and VR for prototyping and design, they first need to be taught how to use these specialist design tools. Software integration. Ensuring compatibility with existing design and engineering software can be challenging. 2. Streamlined maintenance and repair Both augmented and virtual reality technologies can provide real-time, handsfree guidance for maintenance and repair tasks. Technicians can wear AR glasses that overlay instructions and diagrams directly onto themachinery they are working on. This can include step-by-step guides, realtime data from sensors and remote assistance from experts. Benefits: These technologies reduce human error by providing precise, real-time instructions.
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