Background
IKN is an advanced engineering company with more than 4 decades of experience designing and implementing clinker coolers as well as pyro lines. IKN is also an international organization with more than 700 installations worldwide, and is rooted in the history of German engineering.
Cement plants require vast resources to maintain their machinery and production constructs. The process of quoting and acquiring spare parts is critical to this maintenance.
IKN’s global customer base relies on their ability to accurately identify and order spare parts, which has historically been a challenging process. The previous process made it difficult to confidently identify the correct part.
Minimal visual context, similar-looking components, and manual entry of part numbers were aspects of the process that introduced confusion or delays. Using JigSpace and spatial computing, IKN has now transformed their spare parts ordering system in order to improve the customer experience.
Enter JigSpace: A Spatial Solution
To resolve the challenges around spare parts identification, IKN turned to JigSpace, adopting a spatial computing solution to replace traditional documentation methods. JigSpace enabled IKN to create fully interactive 3D digital twin models of their equipment from CAD files. The Roller Crusher model displays the new capability for pinpoint and exact identification of the necessary spare parts.
JigSpace provides customers like IKN the ability to see realistic and detailed 3D visualizations of each machine, giving clear and intuitive guidance when identifying spare parts. Like having a digital twin side by side with the physical machine, or overlaid using augmented reality.
Instead of scrolling endlessly through PDFs of parts, cement plant managers can directly interact with the matching digital model from IKN, clicking individual components to reveal part numbers, specifications, and ordering information.
This approach significantly reduces guesswork and virtually eliminates the risk of selecting incorrect or incompatible parts by being able to seamlessly add them to their orders directly from the correct context.
Streamlined Workflow and Immediate Integration
Implementing JigSpace provided IKN with immediate improvements to their workflow efficiency. When customers complete an order within the Jig platform, automatic notifications are sent instantly to both the customer and IKN’s post-sales team. This integration initiates internal processes promptly, accelerating the generation of quotes and speeding up order fulfilment.
The process can be broken down into 4 stages:
- Load Jig: Customer scans a QR code to load the Jig on their mobile device, or they join a multiplayer session on their Apple Vision Pro
- Identify parts: going through each step in the Jig highlights different interior parts and components of the IKN equipment. The customer taps on the cart icon for each part as they go.
- Order list: parts are automatically collated in an order form on the IKN website directly from the JigSpace links and buttons
- Order sent: Customer completes an order request, which sends the complete list of matching part numbers and quantities to the IKN after sales team.
Tangible Benefits: Reduced Errors, Faster Fulfillment
The adoption of JigSpace by IKN for spare part identification and ordering delivered measurable benefits, including:
“With JigSpace, IKN has reduced part identification errors, accelerated quoting, and created a far more efficient workflow.” - Steve Dorn, Manager After Sales and Services, IKN GmbH
Enhancing Customer Support with Apple Vision Pro
IKN further enhanced their post sale customer support by leveraging JigSpace’s integration with Apple Vision Pro. Through this new capability, customers can explore equipment in immersive 3D, collaboratively selecting and discussing parts in real-time with remote support from IKN’s after sales team.
This immersive and realistic experience reduces the necessity of site visits, giving IKN the ability to bring their equipment and ordering experience to the customer, resulting in substantial time and cost savings.
“It delivers richer context, high-touch remote support, and reduces the need for onsite visits.” - Steve Dorn, Manager After Sales and Services, IKN GmbH
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Manufacturing Post-Sales
IKN GmbH’s collaboration with JigSpace showcases how spatial computing can profoundly transform the way after sales teams in manufacturing work with their customers. Transitioning from static PDFs to dynamic, interactive 3D models has notably improved IKN’s accuracy, speed, and overall customer experience. This success story emphasizes the importance of embracing digital innovation to maintain competitiveness and efficiency in modern manufacturing.
