Part 6: Advanced Assembly Alignment (HoloLens)

A HoloLens 🕶️ guide!

0.1 Now you can try to use a complex assembly such as set of stairs, truss, frame etc.

Examples:

Welcome to your FabStation HoloLens guide! Here is your learning plan for today:

Step 1: Prepare the model for alignment with 3D viewer

Step 2: Prepare the assembly and HoloLens for alignment

Step 3: Scan QR target and Map the area

Step 4: Align an assembly

Step 5: 3D viewer tips

Step 1: Prepare the model for alignment with 3D viewer

1.2 Select a different part of the assembly if the default one is not what you need.

For instance, if you are working with the complex assembly - the default part may be not the one you want to start with. In this case, you can change it.

If you need help with this step, please refer to the Part 5: Part Selector and Advanced Controls.

1.3 Fix rotation if needed.

Within Select Part tool make sure that the rotation of the model correspond to the rotation of the actual assembly - top view. If it's different - rotate it 90 degrees using Center controls, and make sure that you are looking at the correct angle.

You can learn more about it within Part Selector video in Part 5: Part Selector and Advanced Controls.

IMPORTANT: When you are looking at the actual assembly from the top, you need to adjust the 3d viewer model to match the rotation within the real assembly.

Step 2: Prepare the assembly and HoloLens for alignment

2.1 Place artificial feature magnets every ~ 3'-0.

The camera investigates the environment to be able to make the tracking accurate. It looks for the unique features to track, but a steel shop doesn't have enough features that are unique.

That's why we ask you to place the magnets throughout the assembly to artificially create a rich environment for the camera.

IMPORTANT: After mapping, the magnets cannot be adjusted or moved because they have been recorded and serve as tracking points to recognize the rest of the environment.

You can remove the magnets, but you risk that the accuracy will be affected.

All connected? Then, let's check what to do next 👉🏾

Step 3: Scan QR target and Map the area

3.1 Place a QR code on the assembly.

In the Part 4 we have told you about the basic rules for the QR code. In general, the important thing with placing it is not your position, but the relation between the assembly and the QR code marker/target.

When the camera looks at the QR code, it's looking at the orientation and placing the model at the same orientation:

If this explanation is too hard to implement into work, feel free to stick to the basic one:

Please still follow these 2 rules:

- Always put a QR target in a horizontal position, it should always be on the top of the assembly.

- The Yellow arrow ᐱ or ᐯ should be placed exactly as on the picture above, depending on your position.

3.2 Scan the QR target following the instructions from the HoloLens screen.

3.3 Map the area.

To Sum Up:

- Follow the mapped range is 30 feet by 6 feet;

- Map and work only on 3 sides of the assembly. Technically, you can map and use all 4 sides, but there are chances that the result will be much less accurate.

Here are examples of your possible 3 sides working area:

Step 4: Aligning an assembly

Please remember that you are working with the perfect model and imperfect material, so the small discrepancies with the alignment are fine.

What you should aim for, using FabStation is to look for the mistakes that can easily skip an eye, such us thickness of the material, its misplacement, wrong holes placement etc. For this, there is no need to align the model perfectly - as you would rather want to do it as per the guide and then start fabrication or inspection.

Step 5: 3D viewer tips

5.1 Minimize button.

While working with the assembly on Auto-Fab, you can still access the 2D or 3D viewer and use it to assist you with your work.

For this, click on the Minimize button. You will see an option to click on the 3D viewer and enter it.

In the case where you are not sure where a specific details go/should be attached or what are the specifics of that certain part, you can open Visuals while checking or fabricating an assembly, and see that part with visuals.

So, since 3D viewer is a great too to use with the Auto-Fab, here are a couple of advanced features.

Currently, the feature is only available for Auto-Fab and Auto-QC.

5.2 Advanced Visuals.

As you can enter the 3D viewer while Auto-Fab or Auto-QC is on, visuals can be quite useful.

In the case where you are not sure where a specific details go/should be attached or what are the specifics of that certain part, you can open Visuals while checking or fabricating an assembly, and see that part with visuals.

5.2 Project/Assembly view

You already had this information within the basic 3D viewer, but it may be quite useful now while you are working with Auto-Fab or Auto-QC.

If Visuals allows you to see specific details of the model assembly, then the Project view helps to understand the role the whole assembly plays in the whole project, which enable a more strategic and holistic approach to your work.

Time to test your knowledge and put it into practice!

Perfect! That was your ultimate guide to the FabStation, and now you can work with any type of the assembly! 🎉🎉🎉

Would you like to go through the advanced Tablet Alignment guide as well? (Please mind that it will have the same information as in this guide, except for the slight differences that are related to the alignment with the tablet only).