Augmented Reality for virtual user manual

The present work proposes a new approach for defining an interactive user manual in complex assemblies, using a new enabling technology of Industry 4.0, i.e. Augmented Reality. The AR environment supports the user in step-by-step assembly on-the-fly. The study of this method, suitable for the assembly of parts, is a stimulating engineering mission, which takes advantage of the latest innovations in imaging technologies and computer graphics. In the present paper, a proposal for an innovative method based on Augmented Reality used to support the components’ assembly is suggested. The methodology is based on a four steps process: (1) the designer performs the assembly structure through a CAD system; (2) an inexperienced user assembles the same parts without any suggestion, and the differences between the two assembly sequences are documented and broken down in order to distinguish critical points in the assembly; (3) a virtual user manual is shaped in an Augmented Reality environment; and (4) the assembly is then performed by the same inexperienced user, guided by the AR tool. When the end-user employs the instrument, the location of the item to assemble is perceived by tracking the finger position of the user itself. In order to help the end-user in the assembly procedure, a series of symbols and texts is added to the external scene. In this paper, a case study based on the assembly of a scale model has been developed to evaluate the methodology. After an evaluation process, the procedure seems to be feasible and presents some advantages over the state-of-the-art methodologies proposed by literature.