New whitepaper: How Augmented Reality is redefining product development.

Augmented Reality (AR) is not just a tool; it's a transformative force that is reshaping many processes in business. Production companies, in particular, benefit from AR because they can leverage its benefits along their entire value chain, from product development to manufacturing, logistics, marketing, customer service, and employee training. 

In the recent white paper from HoloLight, 'AR as a Booster for Industry 4.0,' you can explore the ways in which AR can have a significant transformative impact. 

Key highlights of the whitepaper:

• Learn how companies can use AR to increase the quality and productivity of their entire process chain
• Understand what a consistent Augmented Reality strategy can look like and how to implement one.
• Discover how well-known companies are already successfully using AR through detailed case studies. 

Don't miss out on these valuable insights. Get your copy of the white paper now by filling out the simple form below. 

Embracing innovation

ENGIE Refrigeration, a global specialist in products, solutions and services for economic and energy efficient refrigeration and heat generation, uses Hololight Space to create efficient workflows and facilitate machine design.

ENGIE Refrigeration was looking for a way to better visualize and coordinate work steps in real time to reduce iterations in product development. The company needed a convenient and easy-to-use solution to visualize large and complex machines in detail and in 3D without time-consuming data preparation or conversion. 

To meet these challenges, Jörn Stiegelmeier, Head of Technology & Development, first came up with the idea of using AR glasses in 2017, at a time when AR in the refrigeration and heating industry was still a vision of the future. Today, the company is a global pioneer in the industry when it comes to AR.

AR headsets and the corresponding applications augment the real world with digital content ranging from information and animations to complex 3D models. They allow users to interact with this content using hand recognition sensors and to overlay it on the physical world – all while still perceiving their environment with all their senses. 

To get the right AR application for their needs, ENGIE Refrigeration partnered with XR expert Hololight and is now using the XR Engineering application Hololight Space. “The cooperation with Hololight is always constructive, friendly, and goal-oriented. My ideas are well received, and the team considers and implements them according to our individual requirements,” says Stiegelmeier.

Improving Workflows With Hololight Space

Hololight Space significantly improves complex work processes along the value chain, such as machine design. The application allows users to visualize models, such as prototypes, as 3D holograms that are seamlessly generated from the original CAD file without the need to modify the data. 

ENGIE Refrigeration is using Microsoft HoloLens 2 as the end device for the application. Hololight Space allows the models to be displayed at their actual size and with the same level of detail as the CAD file. Engineers, technicians, and anyone involved in the workflow can get a detailed 3D view of the external and internal structure of the object. They can extract individual components from the full-scale model, use X-ray mode and other features to gain greater insight, take measurements, and make annotations. In multi-user sessions, they can collaborate with others on the same model in real-time, regardless of location.

Visualization and collaboration via Hololight Space improve understanding of the object or machine, reveal new opportunities for optimization, and reduce development loops. Engineers can identify potential weaknesses early in the product development and design process and eliminate them faster.

Jörn Stiegelmeier is convinced of the benefits of the application: “Until now, we have only used AR glasses sporadically in development. Now we have reached the point where we are gradually integrating them into our daily work. ENGIE Refrigeration is a global pioneer in our industry when it comes to AR. And that’s something we’re proud of.”

Streaming for a Flawless and Secure AR Experience

In the case of ENGIE Refrigeration, as a company that works with detailed CAD data, data models are usually very large and complex due to the dimensions of the various plants.. In addition, data security cannot be neglected. Hololight Space helps ENGIE meet both challenges thanks to its integrated remote rendering solution. The application and the holograms are streamed from a local server to the end device.

The data never leaves ENGIE Refrigeration’s IT infrastructure, which guarantees absolute data security. In addition, streaming ensures that all users are using the latest version of the application.

AR can help optimize engineering workflows. (photo: Hololight)

Customer Value and Improved Sustainability

ENGIE Refrigeration customers benefit from machines that run more efficiently than ever before. AR glasses make it possible to identify potential weaknesses at an early stage of development and to eliminate them even faster. 

Moreover, AR is another step in transitioning to ‘zero carbon. “With AR glasses, we may be able to avoid service calls in the future. In addition, unnecessary development loops can be reduced. This saves valuable resources such as CO2 and electricity,” says Stiegelmeier.

Looking Ahead to an Even More Immersive Future

In addition to technology and development at ENGIE Refrigeration, Stiegelmeier points out that there are other areas where AR glasses could be used. “I am thinking of production, for example, to be able to project the first prototypes in advance. In my opinion, augmented reality will also facilitate service and logistics work. In addition, third-level support will be able to support our on-site service even better in the future with the help of AR technologies. From now on, we will be working more closely on such approaches. Also, we are currently working with Hololight on an intelligent solution for predictive maintenance to provide our customers with an even more efficient service in the future.” His plans are enthusiastic and determined: “There will be more to come from ENGIE Refrigeration in terms of Augmented Reality.”

Learn more about how AR can have a significant transformative impact on production, customer service and collaboration. Download the latest whitepaper from Hololight below.