Russian UEC, part of Rostec Group, is striving to digitalize and accelerate the assembly processes of aircraft engine components and assemblies. Augmented reality technologies are now used in the assembly of gas turbine engines at the UEC-Saturn plant in Rybinsk. The project is currently a pilot and operates only at one enterprise, but it has significant prospects.
The system is powered by the Russian software platform "IKSAR", which is combined with augmented reality glasses and other types of mobile devices.
The aircraft engine assembler puts on glasses and performs work operations according to step-by-step instructions on the screen. When one block of work is completed, it will be possible to switch to a new block only upon confirmation from the controller in the information system. "IKSAR" allows you to take photos and videos of the fact of completed operations, structuring the digital trace of the assembly process. This not only controls employees, but also helps to automatically generate a map of the product assembly.
The system keeps track of the time spent on each operation. It can track the workload of employees and analyze their work on each manufactured product. If an assembler needs advice from colleagues or experts, the system will help him get in touch with him without leaving his workplace.
According to the press service of "Rostec", "UEC-Saturn" considers the experiment successful and intends to develop it. In 2024, they intend to customize the interface for simultaneous joint work of assemblers and develop integration with the enterprise's information systems.
Earlier it became known that UEC planned to introduce AI to check for defects in polished aircraft engine blades. The first such robotic complex is ready to be launched at the stage of preliminary quality control of parts also at the Rybinsk enterprise "UEC-Saturn".
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