SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING THROUGH AUGMENTED REALITY (AR): THE ROLE OF AR TECHNOLOGIES IN INDUSTRIAL WORKFLOWS USING VISUAL ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR) in visual assembly instructions is enhancing accuracy and efficiency in manufacturing, assembly tasks and contributes to sustainability in many ways, supported by different software. Sustainability benefits are amplified when AR is integrated into broader digital and eco-friendly initiatives within an organization, such as lean manufacturing or a circular supply chain and by integrating methodologies like poka-yoke, Six Sigma, Kanban, and TQM with AR technologies. This study examined sustainability benefits of implementing AR technologies in industrial workflows, particularly in visual assembly instructions. The primary aim was to determine how AR could improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce sustainability impacts through decreased waste, optimized training, and enhanced product quality. Related publications on AR's role in assembly, sustainability, and interface optimization in manufacturing were reviewed. Research methods also included testing AR-guided instructions on ergonomically designed hardware, such as 3D printed tablet-mounted device, to evaluate usability, assembly time, and error rates. For our prototype we developed visual instructions using Autodesk Maya and Substance Painter to create and animate 3D models, mapped and textured for realistic AR scenes in Adobe Aero. AR tools will advance sustainable industrial applications. Future developments in AR include enhanced real-time data integration and adaptive learning models, which support sustainable practices by dynamically adjusting or simulating assembly instructions based on individual performance and product life cycles.