Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are also known colloquially as drones or copters. At IPH, we research and develop all aspects of UAS with the aim of expanding the range of applications and advancing autonomous drone flight. We use drones for layout recording in factory planning projects for our customers.
Research drone
Our research drone is an in-house design and is constantly being improved and modified. Including battery, camera and laser scanner, the drone weighs around 4.5 kg. It can also carry additional equipment weighing up to 3 kg, such as additional cameras.
This UAS was developed as part of the Autodrone research project and is capable of flying semi-autonomously in enclosed spaces. Because GPS does not work during indoor flight, the drone uses a camera pointed at the ground and a laser range finder for orientation.
Drones for layout capture
We use two drones from the manufacturer DJI for layout recording in factory planning projects:
- DJI Phantom (see photo)
- DJI RS2
Both drones can be equipped with 3D cameras and laser scanners and are therefore able to measure entire factory halls in flight. The data is then processed into a three-dimensional model that can be edited directly, for example using a CAD program.
Factory planning table
Collaboratively plan and optimize factory layouts in the shortest possible time: This is made possible by IPH's digital factory planning table. It is used in IPH factory planning projects, especially in layout planning workshops, which the factory planning experts at IPH have created, planned and optimized together with specialists and managers from the client company.
The layout elements can be moved on the touch screen of the planning table using drag and drop. Machines, assembly workstations, storage areas or offices can be relocated in just a few simple steps. Because the software on the factory planning table can analyze and evaluate the layout in real time, the planning team can see directly how their changes affect the length of the material flow, for example.
We usually work with the Vistable Touch factory planning software on the factory planning table. Alternatively, CAD programs such as the Autodesk product Inventor are used.
Digital layout planning is much more efficient and much more accessible for non-experts than working with drawn floor plans. In addition, a three-dimensional model can be created from the digital layout - for a virtual factory tour using VR glasses.
Software for modeling AR and VR environments
In order to be able to view CAD models with AR or VR glasses, the data must first be prepared. We use the following software solutions for this:
- Unity for creating AR/VR environments
- Unreal Engine (photo) for creating AR/VR environments
- Evoassist to create assembly instructions for AR glasses
Virtual Reality (VR)
Viewing a new factory building before the foundation stone is laid or looking at products from all sides before they are manufactured - this is what we use virtual reality (VR) for at IPH.
VR glasses make it possible to move around in a virtual environment. In factory planning projects, we create 3D models of factory layouts for our customers in which they can move freely with the help of VR glasses. The three-dimensional, virtual environment provides a much more realistic impression than a two-dimensional floor plan. This means that even people who were not involved in the planning can get an impression of the rooms, the light and size ratios and much more.
But we don't just use virtual reality in factory planning projects. At IPH, we also develop products and machines for our customers, which they can view from all sides using VR glasses.
Our equipment currently includes
- two Oculus Quest 1 mobile virtual reality headsets
- one Oculus Quest 2 mobile virtual reality headset
- one stationary virtual reality headset HTC Vive
