Mixed Reality Experience at Smart Manufacturing Experience

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Mixed reality is fueling a transformative manufacturing revolution, from enhanced sales and service opportunities, to more efficient production, and improved staff safety and productivity. Manufacturing professionals will immerse in technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) at the Mixed Reality Experience, a special pavilion of the inaugural Smart Manufacturing Experience event, April 30 through May 2, at the Boston Convention Center.

Hosted by SME and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the Smart Manufacturing Experience allows attendees to see both current breakthroughs and emerging advances in the industry.

Attendees visiting the Mixed Reality Experience can engage with virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies to see the integration of machines, systems, and data that drives Smart Manufacturing. Virtual and augmented reality demonstrations will bring technology to life in an immersive learning setting.

At the VR Experience, sponsored by Mechdyne Corporation, attendees will participate in interactive 3D demonstrations of a virtual manufacturing line using a large-scale, interactive VR screen. During these demonstrations attendees will see live factory analytics, virtual machine demonstrations, modeling, and simulation in a factory environment. Use cases for VR have expanded into plant floor design, assembly, safety training, and much more. Mechdyne technology experts will be available to answer any questions and help attendees understand the potential value of this technology for business applications.

The AR Experience, sponsored by PTC, will feature the richness of 3D coupled with insights gained from Internet of Things, and will show why every organization needs an AR strategy. PTC's Mixed Reality area will showcase scalable experiences that enhance sales efforts through virtual product demonstrations, improve service and maintenance with hands-free work instruction, and enable seamless knowledge transfer for more effective training. Attendees can explore ways that AR can help their organizations gain insight into processes, from manufacturing, assembly and operations, to service and training. Additionally, PTC will showcase a combination of AR and VR, and the four resulting capabilities: visualize, instruct, interact and simulate.

"The Internet of Things, augmented reality and additive manufacturing are among the top forces driving the digital transformation of manufacturing. These digital strategies enable manufacturers to achieve breakthrough levels of efficiency and outpace their competitors," said Howard Heppelmann, divisional vice president, manufacturing solutions, PTC. "PTC is proud to offer award-winning solutions today, that help companies embrace these strategies and realize new levels of productivity and efficiency."

Mike Festa, Boston chapter president of the VR/AR Association, the global industry association for Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality, connecting leading solution providers with brands and customers, will be on site to share educational materials, ways to get involved with mixed reality technologies, and a list of OEMs bringing mixed reality into the mainstream. Experiences will include demonstration of Google's cutting-edge Lightfield 360 Immersive Imagery, and how online retailer Wayfair is leveraging VR/AR technology to revolutionize the customer experience of visualizing products and designing their dream home.

"The Mixed Reality Experience will be like a playground for manufacturing industry professionals, showing the power of this innovative technology alongside actual implementations of it today," said Kimberly Farrugia, senior event manager, SME. "From the most advanced VR headset to innovations from Google and Wayfair, everyone who visits will learn or experience something groundbreaking."

About SME

SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. With more than 85 years of experience and expertise in events, media, membership, training and development, and also through an education foundation, SME is committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing.

About AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology 

AMT represents U.S.-based builders and distributors of manufacturing technology – the advanced machinery, devices, and digital equipment that U.S. manufacturing relies on to be productive, innovative, and competitive. Located in McLean, VA, near the nation's capital, AMT acts as the industry's voice to speed the pace of innovation, increase global competitiveness and develop manufacturing's advanced workforce of tomorrow. With extensive expertise in industry data and intelligence, as well as a full complement of international business operations, AMT offers its members an unparalleled level of support. AMT also produces IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology show, the premier manufacturing technology event in North America.