The next best thing to being there

Advanced Composites Training turns to augmented reality to deliver its globally recognized composites technology programs

Photo: Advanced Composites Training founder, Wilson Boynton

THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC has forced many businesses to find new ways of delivering their goods and services. For London’s Advanced Composites Training (ACT), that meant developing new digital technology to provide the top-quality instruction that has made the company a global leader in composites training since 1996.

A division of Renaissance Aeronautics Associates (RAA) Inc., ACT provides instruction, repair services and consulting in composites technologies used in the aviation, aerospace, marine, automotive, industrial fibreglass reinforced plastic and wind energy industries. It is the only privately-owned Canadian composites training institute to meet both Transport Canada and FAA (American Federal Aviation Administration) standards, and the company works with civilian and military technicians from more than 39 countries world-wide.

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ACT’s recently launched augmented reality training uses the Microsoft HoloLens2 and software developed by New Brunswick’s Kognitiv Spark to offer live courses to students anywhere in the world.

ACT founder, Wilson Boynton, believes his company is the first to use augmented reality to deliver intensive composites technology training for the aerospace, aviation, automotive, marine and renewable energy industries.

“This is a huge benefit to our clients who are considered essential workers worldwide, but who may not be able to come to London due to travel and quarantine restrictions,” says Boynton. “It also allows us to increase our class sizes, since physical distancing is not a factor.”

ACT offers 17 courses covering all aspects of composites manufacturing and structural repair technologies. Technicians typically travel to London for intense on-site training, which combines a mix of theory and hands-on instruction.

Demand for composites training has remained strong since the beginning of the pandemic, says Boynton, prompting the decision to explore virtual training options. “Augmented reality allows us to project holograms that the instructor sees through the HoloLens,” he says. Students tune in from their laptop or other digital device. “They see exactly what the instructor sees. It’s like having someone looking through your eyes while you are doing the work,” he explains.

Reaction to Advanced Composites Training’s augmented reality training has been positive. “Clients are very satisfied,” says Boynton. “Students get the experience of being here, without having to travel.”

The launch of augmented reality training is the latest in a number of milestones for ACT.

This past February, Boynton enjoyed the thrill of watching NASA’s Perseverance rover land on Mars. Less than two years ago, he was invited to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to provide training in the composite materials used in its construction. “Composites made the whole thing possible,” he notes.

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And in April, ACT will mark 25 years in business. The company plans to celebrate with a 25th Anniversary Virtual Open House on May 11. “People can take a virtual tour of our facility through the use of the HoloLens and learn more about our training options,” Boynton says.

While augmented reality training will continue to allow technicians from around the world to strengthen their composites knowledge without the inconvenience of travel ― long after the global pandemic is over ― Boynton believes it will never completely replace the in-class experience.

“Technicians are tactile learners,” he says. “Augmented reality training is an effective way to deliver the vast majority of the knowledge people need to be comfortable working with composites, but it will never completely replace hands-on learning.”