Baker Furnace, Yorba Linda, Calif., a division of Thermal Product Solutions, has developed an augmented reality (AR) platform for its furnace lines, allowing operators, maintenance personnel, and engineers to interact with the furnace through a tablet. Three levels are available on the furnaces with a PLC: Augmented Operator, Augmented Maintenance, and Augmented Engineering.
The AR will have step-by-step procedures, component manuals, mechanical drawings, electrical drawings, and real-time data at the component level. It is no longer necessary to open electrical panels and put on ARC flash attire; with the tablet camera, it is only necessary to point and click, giving a view of the inside of the panel with all its components and live data.
The Augmented Operator level will provide systematic procedures on how to run the furnace. The system logs when the procedure starts and when it ends. This will provide helpful data for timework studies by providing data on typical loads. It will also increase productivity with training new operators, and will serve as a refresher for standard operating procedures.
The Augmented Maintenance level will provide all electrical, mechanical drawings, component manuals, and step-by-step procedures for maintenance on critical components Maintenance personnel will have the ability to be on the machine and use the tablet to pull up manuals, troubleshooting tips, and maintenance intervals for each component.
The Augmented Engineering level will provide real, live data of components on the tablet. It is as simple as pointing the tablet camera towards the control panel. Clicking on the image of the panel will allow the operator to open up the panel on the screen. Both maintenance and engineering personnel will have the ability to be on the machine and use the tablet to pull up manuals, troubleshooting tips, maintenance intervals, and real-time data of components in the cabinet.
