Comparison of Augmented Reality Technologies Applied to Assembly Processes in Aerospace Industry

Abstract

The assembly of an aircraft is executed by performing a series of assembly operations, which are carried out following specific instructions called work instructions. In addition, the quality control of these operations is performed following verification instructions. Traditionally, these work and verification instructions were based on 2D documentation (on paper or digital screen), prepared by manufacturing engineering, and made available to operators by manufacturing engineering systems (MES) when required. Over the last decade, Airbus has made significant progress in ensuring the digital continuity of processes, exploiting information from the industrial digital mock-up (iDMU) downstream, favoring the preparation and use of assembly and quality instructions through new techniques, such as lightweight 3D viewers, or augmented reality. This paper describes experiences of implementation of augmented reality (based on laser or holographic technology) in the workshop, both for assembly and quality processes. Several use cases are analyzed, comparing both technologies, explaining their pros and cons, and justifying the use of each of them in each process.