What does it mean the augmented reality in production?
(video: Cama)

CAMA is a part of this ongoing process of renewal. Its Research and Development division, led by Massimo Monguzzi, enhance production processes by continuously improving the machines used. CAMA is thus prepared not only to “ride the wave” of Industry 4.0, but also for future technological evolutions. Simulation, augmented reality, and data collection for design, production, and maintenance.

by Industrial Meeting

“At first, working with interconnected machines and systems, rich in data, new functions, and different ways of visualizing and managing production processes can cause disorientation. However, if we are discussing Industry 4.0, which is now a pillar of industrial production, it is because we are increasing the potential of the new technologies available. Using machines based on industry 4.0 principles means taking a step forward into new production and business models, solutions that do not require years of development because the technologies to make them are now mature. One of these is augmented reality in packaging, as well as simulation and data analysis, both of which are critical in industrial production.”

What are the advantages of design simulation?

Packaging digitalization — **Massimo Monguzzi: “Augmented reality is used for a variety of solutions, including format changes and direct requests for spare parts from the machine.” (photo: Cama)**

“Mechatronic system simulation is used to design machines before they are built. The use of these techniques has led to the reduction in time to market as well as the cost of customizing the offer. We anticipate the final solutions in the design phase with simulation, and you can do it virtually with the customer by analyzing which improvements will be required even remotely. This is a significant benefit of the simulation. After building the machine, other virtual tools such as remote maintenance with augmented reality tools are available,” Massimo Monguzzi continues.

Massimo Monguzzi. (photo: Cama)
“I’d like to share an application case of an American customer for whom we automated his frozen pizza production and packaging system.” In this particular case, we used simulation to design the machine and create the control SW with our virtual systems, consequently reducing the time required for realization and setup”.

Augmented reality in the packaging digitalization industry: from maintenance to format change

Digital technologies used in industrial production improve plant efficiency. “We created an augmented reality application that has the unique ability to reduce the time required to find information. It is no longer necessary to utilize traditional paper manuals or documentation of various kinds, or to visit the websites of various manufacturers. We concentrated all the information for using the machine in a single, simple application,” explains Massimo Monguzzi. “Augmented reality is used for a variety of solutions, including format changes and direct requests for spare parts from the machine.”

How do Cama machines use augmented reality? One device that combines documentation, maintenance, and spare parts

“The system is very simple: we can use a tablet or other device in addition to a smartphone. To access the App, we capture the two-dimensional code present on the machine’s chassis. We select the operation we want to carry out, for example maintenance: we frame the two-dimensional code present in the part of the machine that interests us and we automatically obtain the information relating to the parts where necessary intervene,” remarks Massimo Monguzzi, who goes on to say that “this procedure incredibly shortens the maintenance and intervention times on the machine and even a non-technical operator can handle out the operations. Regarding the replacement parts, a direct link to the step-by-step instructions allows you to obtain replacement parts instantly by creating an email with the identifiers of the required new parts. To provide the best and quickest answer possible, Cama help steps in at that point and, depending on the nation where the machine is located, consults the technician who sent the request. There are several Cama depots with spare parts available for clients on request in the various continents, and Cama assistance is available everywhere in the world and is now accessible in several different ways”.

Four data-related questions: do you have the answers?

It is critical to manage and distribute data correctly in the various company systems in order to best integrate information technologies (IT) with operational technologies (OT). According to Filippo Aspesi, Cama’s Software Automation Manager, “it is easy to succumb to the temptation to monitor and archive a large mass of data that in fact is not made available to the interconnected systems, nor is any interpretation given to them, rendering them useless data.” Digital data that utilize memory space and use energy Instead of correctly implementing all of the potential of the stored data, it is best to first ask yourself some questions that will guide the system’s design:

• What are the goals of data collection?
• What useful information do you want to highlight?
• Who are the recipients of this information?
• Through what tools will the recipients receive the information?

The answers to these questions may differ depending on the context of production. CAMA has set up the collection and management of information on its machines for maintenance purposes above all, with the goal of detecting the degradation of system performance in good time and providing all the information and signals useful to intervene with sufficient notice on the machine itself through different graphic interface systems ranging from simple reporting on HMI to more advanced augmented reality systems. All machine data of interest can be made available to our customers’ information systems, which can then build a centralized and comprehensive data collection, management, and analysis system by integrating these data with those from all the machines on the various lines.“

From data analysis to predictive maintenance: R&D is the future of manufacturing

“With modern manufacturing facilities, it is possible to anticipate what needs to be replaced prior to a breakdown or plant downtime. It is especially important to have simple but effective tools when there is a high staff turnover. This is another reason why many customers like this solution,” says Filippo Aspesi of Cama. “This occurs not only for preventive analysis in system maintenance, but also for internal staff training. The tools used for these purposes are all digital, interactive, and simple to use. This eliminates the need for a highly specialized technician to work on the machine. The more intelligent machines are more difficult to use, but our challenge is to make this simple in everyday use. To simplify their use, the machines must be supported by an excellent man-machine interface, starting with maintenance and format change. The most modern machines employ a mix of technologies: robotics, mechatronics, electronics, information technology, and so on, and it is not always easy to have specialized personnel on board the machine for the various technical disciplines involved,” Filippo Aspesi continues. “The majority of these needs are met by Cama solutions, releasing our customers to focus on their production in the best way possible.”