Although virtual and augmented reality are well-known terms in the gaming industry, they have also found their place in the industrial sector. Silac embraced digitalization early on, a move that has proven to be a wise one. Today, the company is considered a pioneer in the plastics industry and is reaping the benefits of its investments in various areas.
What exactly is virtual reality?
The hype surrounding virtual reality began as early as 2012, when the Oculus Rift was unveiled behind closed doors. The new technology captivated many gamers right from the start. But virtual reality is much more than just gaming. This artificial world, which skillfully connects people, materials, and machines, offers countless possibilities for industry and business as well.
Virtual Reality, or VR for short, makes it possible to create computer-generated three-dimensional, interactive spaces and entire worlds. A virtual tour of a planned home, a virtual visit to a museum, or even a virtual flight around the world—all of this is possible! Using a VR headset or VR glasses, the user immerses themselves in new virtual dimensions, whether at home, in a VR arcade, at an exhibition, or right at their workplace.
Full immersion transports the user into an experience that feels real, completely blocking out the real world. In this new virtual world, the user can interact with objects, trigger reactions, or even change the environment—they become part of the action!
What does “augmented reality” mean?
Unlike virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) allows the real world to remain visible. In AR, digital or virtual elements—such as images, videos, or text—are simply superimposed on the real world via a smartphone, tablet, or AR glasses. It is a clever combination and overlay of real and virtual reality that provides the user with additional information or assistance.
Some well-known AR applications for personal use include, for example, Nintendo’s game “Pokémon Go,” which in the summer of 2016 invited players to go on a virtual monster hunt using their smartphones. Another example is the IKEA interior design tool, which allows customers to redesign their homes using a laptop or smartphone. With the help of AR, furniture selected from the catalog can be placed directly in their own living spaces, providing extremely helpful visual guidance.
Digital twin with all work instructions
Silac addressed the issue of digitalization early on. In 2018, the company had its entire facility captured in an impressive 3D tour, which allows customers to explore Silac’s premises from the comfort of their own computers. This virtual showroom serves to spark the interest of potential customers while saving time and money by eliminating the need for in-person visits.
The digital twin was further developed by Akrotonx in 2022. Now, all work instructions—such as user manuals, videos, and machine documentation—have been compiled for training, troubleshooting, and service purposes. All information is available in a single system—no longer in disorganized folders, but directly at the virtual workstation, exactly where it is located in the real-world company. Employees can now intuitively and effortlessly access the information they need during their 3D tour, which makes their work significantly easier. Give it a try!
Great Potential in Education and Training
Managing Director Peter Birchler sees significant advantages in the use of VR, particularly in the area of training and continuing education: “Especially in times of a skilled labor shortage, we must seek new solutions in recruitment and also consider candidates from other fields. “Although our operations involve complex systems that require explanation, the use of VR enables even newcomers to get up to speed quickly.” New employees can acquire the necessary knowledge on their own using virtual simulations, either on a computer or directly at the machine in the production hall. These interactive experiences are not only enjoyable but also help new employees understand complex technical concepts more quickly.
-> Read more: Faster & More Efficient Onboarding Thanks to Digitalization
How Simulation Software Has Revolutionized Product Development
Digitalization has brought about a profound transformation in product development at Silac. While the use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has long been standard practice in the toolmaking department for creating 2D and 3D models, the field of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) has advanced significantly in recent years. CAE encompasses computer-aided mathematical analysis and simulation techniques that are used in the product development process to investigate the behavior of plastic parts or materials under various conditions.
In the field of plastic injection molding in particular, numerous factors are of crucial importance, including the moisture content of the plastic pellets, machine parameters, injection speed, and temperature. There are countless settings, all of which must be tested to achieve the optimal result.
By using modern simulation software that virtually tests various combinations, Silac can identify design and functional flaws early on and select the right materials without first having to create a large number of physical prototypes for testing purposes. This has led to a significant improvement in quality and efficiency throughout the entire development process, while at the same time substantially reducing costs and time.
-> Read more: Product Development in the Age of Digitalization
Digital manuals created by apprentices
Silac plans to increasingly use augmented reality in production and maintenance in the future to create digital manuals and streamline day-to-day workflows. Printed manuals are considered outdated, unappealing, and often confusing, which is why people are reluctant to use them. The opposite is true for interactive instructions, which can be accessed directly at the machine using a smartphone or tablet via QR codes.
Master craftsman Tobias Grünenfelder and his apprentices are in charge of this innovative project. Together, they develop the procedures and create instructions for machine operation and various troubleshooting steps. They do all of this using their mobile devices. The young employees are enthusiastic about VR technology and its potential, and they appreciate being in charge of this exciting project. Working with state-of-the-art technology is not only enjoyable, but also teaches these young people how to plan and coordinate tasks and work independently.
-> Read more: Interview with Master Instructor Tobias Grünenfelder
Countless applications
Modernizing operations undoubtedly requires a significant amount of effort, time, and money. Nevertheless, VR and AR offer enormous potential, and the benefits are clear:
- Shorter onboarding period for new employees and career changers
- Time Savings in Continuing Education Thanks to a Unique Learning Experience
- Efficient In-House Training in the Face of a Skilled Labor Shortage
- Error Reduction & Quality Assurance in Production
- Realistic Product Development and Visualization
- Enthusiasm among young employees
- Increasing an Employer’s Appeal to Apprentices
- Image of a Modern Business
Nevertheless, the adoption of VR and AR in Swiss industry—particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises—has been rather slow. As is often the case with innovative technologies, it takes time and pioneers like Silac AG to drive progress forward.
