Design and evaluation of an augmented reality welding helmet

Abstract

The article describes the development and ergonomic evaluation of an augmented reality (AR) welding helmet. The system provides an augmented user interface with supporting information relevant to the welding process. The experimental studies focused on hand-eye coordination of welders and nonwelders with two prototypes of the augmented reality welding helmet. The first prototype operated at 16 frames per second, whereas the second, improved version had 20 frames per second. In addition, the hand-eye coordination while wearing the welding helmet with video see-through head-mounted display was compared to a performance with natural vision, without any helmet. Experimental results showed significant influence of helmet and occupation on handeye coordination. Subjective assessment revealed better rating for stereo perception for the system with the higher frame rate, whereas no significant difference in performance was found between the two frame rates.

Mobile Augmented Reality in industrial applications: Approaches for solution of user-related issues

“…The second domain focuses on application of AR technology in diverse scenarios, for example in industry [7,3,6]. A third domain examining user related aspects including psychological and medical questions is the most important for this paper.…”

A Comparative Study of Head‐Mounted and Table‐Mounted Augmented Vision Systems for Assembly Error Detection

“…An improvement in time for welding processes was reported by Echtler et al (2004) when an AVS was used versus a traditional welding helmet. However, Park et al (2007) reported contrary effects like a longer time‐on‐task when comparing an AVS attached to the welding helmet with traditional welding performed by both skilled welders and untrained participants.…”

“…Except for the study by Park et al (2007), all aforementioned studies of AVS for the shop floor indicated either a decrease in time‐on‐task (Echtler et al, 2004; Wiedenmaier, 2004; Wiedenmaier et al, 2003) or an increase in accuracy of task processing (Meyer Steil, & Müller, 2005; Tang et al, 2004). However, these studies were carried out with either monocular or biocular HMDs, presenting two‐dimensional virtual objects within the field of view.…”

Using Augmented Reality to Cognitively Facilitate Product Assembly Process

“…One is integrating AR with manual gas-metal-arc welding technology. Since in the traditional manual gas-metal-arc welding, the welder has a very limited field of view through the dark cartridge used to protect welders' eyes from dangerous UV radiation, Park (2007) applied the AR registration technology to welding helmet to aid welding process by virtually presenting the outline of to-be-welded objects. Based on it, they developed an AR-based welding helmet system ---TEREBES (Tragbares Erweiter tes Realitäts-System zur Beobachtung von Schweißprozessen System), a wearable Augmented Reality System for observation of welding processes.…”