Carnival of Quality Management Articles and Blogs – July, 2019

Welcome to July 2019 edition of Carnival of Quality Management Articles and Blogs.

Our core subject of Quality Management – Road Ahead to Digital Transformation during the year 2019, we have covered The Basics of Digitization, Digitalization and Digital Transformation, The foundation of the Digital Quality Management, Quality 4.0 and Industry 4.0 technologies Big Data Analytics, Cloud computing and Robotics.

We will now take up fourth of the nine disruptive technologies of Industry 4.0 – Augmented Reality (AR).

Augmented reality (AR)[1] is a type of interactive, reality-based display environment that takes the capabilities of computer-generated display, sound, text and effects to enhance the user’s real-world experience.

A view of the physical real-world environment with superimposed computer-generated images, thus changing the perception of reality, is the AR.[2]

AR apps typically connect digital animation to a special ‘marker’, or with the help of GPS in phones pinpoint the location. Augmentation is happening in real time and within the context of the environment, for example, overlaying scores to a live feed sport event.

There are 4 types of augmented reality today:

• Markerless AR – A.k.a. location-based or position-based augmented reality, that utilizes a GPS, a compass, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer to provide data based on user’s location. This data then determines what AR content you find or get in a certain area. With the availability of smartphones this type of AR typically produces maps and directions, nearby businesses info. Applications include events and information, business ads pop-ups, navigation support.

• Marker-based AR – Some also call it to image recognition, as it requires a special visual object and a camera to scan it. It may be anything, from a printed QR code to special signs. The AR device also calculates the position and orientation of a marker to position the content, in some cases. Thus, a marker initiates digital animations for users to view, and so images in a magazine may turn into 3D models.

• Projection-based AR – Projecting synthetic light to physical surfaces, and in some cases allows to interact with it. These are the holograms we have all seen in sci-fi movies like Star Wars. It detects user interaction with a projection by its alterations.

• Superimposition-based AR – Replaces the original view with an augmented, fully or partially. Object recognition plays a key role, without it the whole concept is simply impossible. We’ve all seen the example of superimposed augmented reality in IKEA Catalog app, that allows users to place virtual items of their furniture catalog in their rooms.

Some Industrial Applications[3]

• Introducing AR to industrial markets will likely change how many jobs are performed. Technicians in the field will be able to receive live support from remote staff, who can indicate markings, point out issues, superimpose models over items like vehicle engines and the like, and more..
• Industries in the design and creative spaces will likely be some of the markets most positively impacted by the introduction of augmented reality.
• AR allows companies to develop training that’s consistent for each employee and enables the employee to develop competence and confidence in their role.

Industry 4.0 by Immersion: Augmented Reality & Connected Factory for Sunna Design – Sunna Design, a company created in 2011, conceives and produces autonomous solar lighting solutions for emerging countries. Immersion, by providing an augmented reality tool with the collaborative solution Shariiing, allowed Sunna Design to reduce costs and generate value through its connected factory of the future.

Augmented Reality Training Demonstration – by Scope AR using the Epson Moverio BT-100 – Described by a visitor to Epson’s I/ITSEC 2012 booth as “…the most practical application of augmented reality that I’ve ever seen,” this video demonstrates how Epson partner ScopeAR (scopeAR.com) modified the Epson Moverio BT-100 to be used for self-guided training. By adding a camera to the Moverio platform and taking advantage of its transparent display, trainees are allowed hands-free opportunities to learn.

The following articles provide a detailed view of applications of AR in the fields of quality assurance and inspection:

How Augmented Reality is Improving Quality Assurance Measures for Manufacturers briefly describes a couple of applications developed by Light Guided Systems, designed to streamline and simplify complex manual assembly, inspection, part kitting, sequencing and training processes, while establishing a new baseline for quality.

Accelerate the quality assurance process with Augmented Reality – Ypsomed is the leading developer and manufacturer of pens, auto-injectors and pump systems for administration of liquid medication. Ypsomed was the first industry partner of Swisscom to test the new 5G mobile communications generation in ongoing production. ..As part of the pilot project, Ypsomed has digitalised its production processes for injection pens across the entire value chain. Open Web Technology was approached to support Ypsomed to reach the targeted digitisation with the help of Augmented Reality (AR).

These two videos provide the visual summary for what AR can do for quality-related functions:

Augmented Reality Software System for Quality Inspection – CAQ AG – The augmented reality technology permits the real-time supplementation of the user’s field of vision with additional computer-generated information and superimposed virtual objects.

Augmented Reality for Quality Inspection – ESA – This is a prototype demo for an Augmented Reality application for tablet that was developed in collaboration between the European Space Agency (PA&S Division), The Open University and Perey Consulting, in the context of ARPASS Research Project. The object under inspection is an IoT-enabled satellite mockup that communicates with the AR application using standard a IoT Protocol (MQTT). The demo app simulates circuit boards and wire harness configuration control as well as step-by-step guidance for maintenance and repair operations.

We will now turn to our regular sections:

For the present episode we have picked up article,  Help people understand “why” before you tell them “what” or “how” , by Kepler Knott on Competitive Strategy column of Management Matters Network …. If you believe that ideas rule the world and that stories – your story for your company, product or service, for example – are the best way to convey those ideas, then it pays to really think about your story and how you tell it. You’ve got to make it matter to your audience… Learn to tell the story behind your work and why it involves and impacts all the people involved….

We now watch ASQ TV, wherein we look at a few recent videos:

• Augmented and Virtual Reality in the Workplace – This episode dives into augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)—what they are, how they’re used on shop floors, and some organizations implementing these advanced technologies.

Additional reading : Sunil Kaushik’s full case study

Jim L. Smith’s Jim’s Gems posting for June 2019 is:

• Trust – In any situation, your influence is enormous if you are trusted. But if you are not trusted, it doesn’t matter what your title is or how much authority you are supposed to have, your influence is virtually zero….You build trust by keeping your word, doing what you say you will do, when you say you will do it…If you make a mistake, you don’t cover it up or try to make it look like someone else’s fault, even if it’s going to make you look bad. And when you make decisions, you make them after thoughtfully considering alternatives and consequences… When you are worthy of that trust, you feel accountable to use your influence responsibly.
• Metamorphosis – All meaningful and lasting change starts on the inside and then works its way out. In other words, a total transformation….Essentially, what you think and truly believe turns into behavior. The late Lou Tice, founder of the Pacific Institute, stressed the use of affirmations and visualizations as an excellent way to change your internal pictures and make sure that your new behavior lasts to make your transformation complete. They help you create your reality from the inside out, which is the absolute best way (maybe the only way) to do it.

I look forward to receive your inputs / suggestions that can further enrich our discussions on the subject of Digitalization in the Quality Management

Note: The images depicted here above are through courtesy of respective websites who have the copyrights for the respective images.

[1]  Augmented Reality (AR)

[2] What is Augmented Reality (AR) and How does it work

[3] Augmented Reality In Business: How AR May Change The Way We Work