technology and crafts

JD Irving, Limited’s sawmilling division has always been on the cutting edge of technology – from laser scanners and automatic wrappers to software to reduce log waste. Factories have now added augmented reality to their arsenal.

Microsoft Hololens is deployed across all publisher sites, providing the maintenance team with a tool that allows them to project analyzes and reports in the operations space.

“With Hololens, we save time and resources in the event of a failure by being able to take photos, brochures and drawings directly in the field in no time at all,” says Neil Mercer, sawmill electrical supervisor from Sussex.

Most units in the factory send their information to a computer located in the control room. In the past, when the unit was maintained, the team had to cycle between it and the control room to measure progress. Using Hololens technology, scans follow the maintenance team around the plant as they work on different parts.

Hololens technology allows multiple people to participate or provide assistance without crowding a small space. As a Microsoft technology, wireless glasses work great with Microsoft Teams. The camera on the front of the headset not only allows participants in a Teams meeting to see what’s going on through the user’s eyes, but built-in microphones and speakers allow for chatting.

This game-changing feature allows for projects to be contributed without being present, a major issue given recent travel restrictions. Augmented reality has helped reduce downtime for sawmills, allowing production to resume faster than in the past.

Learn more about the Manasher section of jdirvinglumber.com.

Source : J.D. Irving