PBC Linear is a company that has developed an extensive portfolio of linear motion products. While we have continued to remain strong in all areas of design and production, there is a human element that has come into shorter supply of late--a reality that effects the entirety of manufacturing in the United States. Our number one asset, the experienced machine operator, has been part of a shrinking talent pool. Much of this results from lack of educations programs and the general stigmatization of the manufacturing field.
As we move into the third decade of this century, manufacturing is beginning to experience signs of a manufacturing renaissance. These signs are revealed in the use of precision-based automation, collaborative robots, and digital spaces that implement augmented reality (AR). This article focuses on augmented reality, and how training software like Manifest, developed by Taqtile, is changing how we shape our workforce to be more productive, flexible, and most of all, more rewarding.
Some of the earliest applications for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) emerged from the gaming industry, with popular tools such as Facebook’s Oculus or Microsoft’s Hololens headsets. Those entertainment applications, while prolific and profitable, were just one part of the full scope of possibilities of AR/VR. This business-side value has always been in the crosshairs with regards to AR applications, especially those applied to guided equipment installation, repair, and maintenance. That focus is evident with Seattle-based AR developer, Taqtile.
The role of Taqtile was pivotal from the beginning and exemplified by its involvement in Microsoft’s initial Hololens Agency Readiness Program. As one of this program’s seven original members, Taqtile began meeting with teams at Microsoft to address the needs of frontline workers in manufacturing. From there, they investigated the supporting software possibilities that could be accomplished using Hololens technology. Out of that incubator came Manifest, the platform developed by Taqtile to be used with AR goggles. This would address a need for more consistent and user-friendly training programs that improved safety and upscaled skillsets.
As Taqtile has applied their original vision into other manufacturing areas, they have continued to utilize the Hololens and Hololens 2 as part of their solution packages while incorporating other AR technologies into the mix like Magic Leap, iPad, and Android mobile phones. Its content platform Manifest allows manufacturers to capture knowledge from operators, engineers, and managers and then distill that knowledge down into instructional content that can be reused at the learner’s convenience. In this way, Manifest acts as a tool to define procedures that contain instructions, photos, videos, pointers, and contact experts in real time.
The overall benefit from Manifest is its ability to replace the slower and less consistent knowledge transfer between trainee and subject matter experts. Using Manifest, a field-based expert can initially capture knowledge and then have an engineer refine it. Additional SME’s could then build on that foundation, creating more specific content or additional visual aides to help clarify the process. This presents the trainee with a well-rounded learning aid. See the fuller story behind Taqtile by clicking on the graphic to the left or the logo above.
PBC Linear is one of Northern Illinois’ largest machine shops, with roughly 120 machinists. However, finding talented machinists has become a much more difficult process in recent years. Traditionally, we would hire apprentices straight from high school, and then train them for four years before designating them as journeymen toolmakers or machinists. Now, many high school vocational programs have disappeared, and older workers are retiring before passing down their valuable knowledge and skillsets. With the workforce already maxed out with their time, it was difficult to effectively train new hires, leaving a large talent gap.
PBC Linear realized that there was a critical need for a new training process. As part of a response, our Factory of the Future Program was developed to address some of those concerns. Beau Wileman manages the program, whose aim is to advance manufacturing processes through enhancements such as collaborative robots, 3D printing, and AR-based training. After corresponding with Taqtile, Beau and his team invited their consultants to work with PBC Linear to help create some templates, and eventually begin building content within the Manifest platform.
The process of capturing knowledge and building out a program allows operators at PBC Linear to essentially go through the training process only once. This capture process typically includes 30 to 40 steps, which takes roughly six hours to complete. Once the instructions are laid out in Manifest, approval can be made by the appropriate manager, and we have all the necessary pieces to effectively train our new employees.
This infographic highlights the differences in training benefits between the more traditional mentorship track versus the use of training programs using augmented reality.
Within the last year, PBC Linear has created roughly 70 new templates, all with positive results. As previously stated, many of these templates include many procedural steps, which can be intimidating for new machinists who might find it difficult to remember tasks and their correct order. Taqtile software provides ready answers for the new hire without having to disrupt a mentor from their critical workflow. If the trainee forgets, they simply revisit the appropriate part of the program, and thus relieve stress and ultimately speed up the learning process. In addition, since many younger potential hires have experience in the gaming culture, the idea of using augmented reality is a great draw for recruiting younger talent.
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