Success Story: GSN

Matterport is a key part of our augmented reality and IoT offering, an increasingly important technology solution for GSN and our industrial customers.”

- Agustín Barrera, Managing Director at GSN

• 350+ virtual tours of Universities taken 

• 20% increase in web enquiries as a result of new online virtual tour

• 30% increase in engagement at exhibitions

Summary

Manufacturing automation and systems specialist GSN uses Matterport 3D cameras to create digital twins of its spaces and machinery. The digital twin of the showroom offers customers a new way to interact with the business. The machine digital twins are used for training purposes – helping both customers and the next generation of young engineers to develop their skills and maintain GSN’s advanced manufacturing systems.

Challenge

On a mission to empower its customers to achieve their manufacturing ambitions by developing, installing and supporting tailored, creative CNC machine solutions and manufacturing systems since 2007, GSN partners with leading brands including Knoll, Kasto, Benz Tooling, Silberhorn, Stoba, Air Turbine Tools, Weiss, SHL, JW Froehlich, and PTC. 

Headquartered in Querétaro, and office locations in Monterrey, Poland, and Germany, the company specialises in supporting customers in the automotive, aerospace, and Steel Industry across Mexico. For GSN and its customers, GSN’s augmented reality (AR) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions are an increasingly important element of business. 

Agustín Barrera, Managing Director at GSN, explains, “We support customers across Mexico, Germany, Spain, the UK, and the USA. Our AR and IoT business area is of increasing importance to our customers for training, education and maintenance. We expect it to account for twelve percent of company revenues within the next three years.”

Solution

To develop augmented reality solutions, GSN relies on Matterport digital twin technologies. “We originally decided to use the Matterport cameras and platform because they seamlessly integrate with the Vuforia platform we use to develop apps. The comprehensive, scalable, enterprise AR platform is compatible with the Matterport ecosystem, and this saves our software engineers considerable time and effort,” explains Agustín Barrera.

“Once we began using the Matterport platform, we were impressed with its ease of use and the high-quality, accurate results,” Agustín Barrera added. “It offers us a cost-effective and compelling way to distinguish ourselves from our competitors.”

To further accelerate the development of its digital twin and augmented reality solutions, GSN partnered with CAPTUR3D. Agustín Barrera explains, “We have been very impressed with the support and expertise of CAPTUR3D. It offers a fast and easy way to enhance the capabilities of the Matterport solution. We particularly value the 3D virtual staging, media embed and custom matter tags because this enables us to save time integrating CNC machinery, robots, and industrial equipment in the digital twin for demonstration, training, and maintenance purposes.

Results

GSN customers are already benefiting from 3D models of GSN manufacturing system solutions for training. “Training is an important use case for our Matterport digital twins,” explains Agustín Barrera. “Digital twins help to speed up training, shortening the learning curve and reducing training costs. Importantly, they also make learning safer, reducing the risk to people and equipment.”

Now, GSN is working on an application that will facilitate the remote support of its CNC machinery and production lines. New employees will have easy access to the digital twins, where they have a standard learning path to follow. This way, they will learn all the necessary steps to measure complicated parts in a big CMM Machine. All information related to the process, quality controls, manuals, and instructions are saved in the digital twin, so employees can quickly and easily solve problems that may arise. This reduces errors such as collisions, incorrect program loading, misalignment of parts, and incorrect fixtures or mounting devices.

At the same time, the GSN team has been working with the Creativity and Innovation Center (CIC 4.0) at UTEQ University, using Matterport technologies to enhance the student experience. “Through the Matterport cameras and platform, we are creating a Metaverse for students,” explains Agustín Barrera. “It includes learning routes enriched with 3D assets, exams, videos, and embedded simulators.”

“By connecting digital twins from different industrial applications, we can enable the students to explore and learn specific learning pathways and real-world applications related to their chosen field of study,” Agustín Barrera continues. “In this way, our collaboration is helping to bridge the worlds of industry and education. Students are more engaged and better prepared for the world of work. The university boosts its capabilities. This industry will have its need for suitably trained personnel met more effectively.”

GSN is also leveraging its investment in the Matterport platform as part of its own sales and marketing processes. Using Matterport cameras, the GSN team created a digital twin of its Querétaro showroom and the machinery within it. 

“Customers can now visit our showroom virtually,” explains Agustín Barrera “They have the option to explore on the screen of their tablet or other device or using a HoloLens AR headset for the full 3D experience. They can explore our manufacturing systems and digital solutions in comfort, without the need to travel or to attend our site.”

Customers can find the virtual tours on the home page of GSN’s website, where they can self-serve a showroom tour and explore different GSN systems. 

“We’ve also found the Matterport-enabled augmented reality experience of our machines to be a huge asset when attending trade fairs,” Agustín Barrera continues. “We no longer need to transport and install demonstration machines onsite. Instead, interested customers who attend our stand can see the solutions through the AR glasses and digital displays we have on the stand. This saves a lot of time and effort for our team. Even better, customers love it! It generates a lot of buzz and interest at the exhibitions.”

Agustín Barrera concludes, “AR is of increasing interest to our customers. The applications in an industrial setting are compelling, especially when considered in terms of safety, time savings, faster time to market, and reduced risk. Being able to walk the walk on AR through our use of Matterport digital twins helps to set us apart in the industry.”