Blog & guides
Guides: Work Instructions, SOPs and AR on the Shop Floor
Practical guides on work instructions, SOPs, SMED, maintenance, onboarding, skills matrices, AR and smart glasses for manufacturing and service teams.
In short
The Actarion guides help operations, maintenance, quality and HR leaders standardize work, onboard faster and pass audits with less stress. Each guide gives a definition, steps, an example and common mistakes, plus a free template where it helps. Written by the Actarion team, implementation partner for SOP → AI → AR work instructions.
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How to Write Work Instructions Operators Actually Follow
Seven steps to clear, visual instructions.
Digital work instructionsupdated 3 Nov - Guide
What Is an SOP? Definition, Structure and Example
An SOP (standard operating procedure) is a written, approved description of how a recurring process must be carried out, by whom and to which standard. SOPs make work consistent, safe and auditable. Actarion converts existing SOPs with AI into step-by-step digital instructions that operators follow with AR guidance, with every execution logged.
Digital work instructionsupdated 3 Nov - Guide
SMED: How to Cut Changeover Time Step by Step
SMED (single-minute exchange of die) is a lean method to cut changeover time by moving as much work as possible to while the machine is still running. The goal is a changeover in single-digit minutes. Actarion makes the new standard stick: every changeover step is guided on a tablet or AR glasses, and the time per step is logged.
Maintenance and operationsupdated 3 Nov - Guide
What Is a Connected Worker? Definition, Building Blocks, Use Cases
A connected worker is a frontline employee who uses digital tools, such as a tablet, smartphone or AR glasses, to get the right instructions, data and expert help at the moment of work, while their actions are logged. Actarion builds connected worker solutions around your SOPs: AI-generated instructions, AR guidance, skills data and an audit trail.
Training and knowledge retentionupdated 3 Nov - Guide
HoloLens 2 Alternatives: What to Use Now for Industrial AR
Microsoft ended HoloLens 2 production in October 2024 and will provide security updates until the end of 2027. Main HoloLens 2 alternatives are tablets, mixed reality headsets such as Apple Vision Pro and Android XR devices, and lightweight smart glasses. The best choice depends on the task. Actarion keeps your AR instructions device-independent, so you can switch without rewriting content.
Hardware and implementationupdated 3 Nov - Guide
Skills Matrix: How to Build One for Your Production Team
A skills matrix is a grid that shows which employee is qualified for which task, and at what level. It helps you plan shifts, spot single points of failure and target training. Actarion keeps the skills matrix current automatically, because every guided execution of a digital work instruction counts as evidence of competence.
Training and knowledge retentionupdated 3 Nov - Guide
Visual Work Instructions: How to Show Instead of Tell
Visual work instructions are work instructions that use photos, drawings, video or AR overlays instead of long text to show each step. They are faster to understand, work across languages and reduce interpretation errors. Actarion creates visual instructions from your existing SOPs with AI and shows them on a tablet or AR glasses, right on the part.
Digital work instructionsupdated 3 Nov - Guide
AI SOP Generator: How to Create SOPs with AI, Safely
An AI SOP generator uses a language model to turn source material, such as old procedures, manuals, notes or video, into a structured SOP or step-by-step work instruction. It saves writing time, but the output is a draft that an expert must review. Actarion uses AI authoring to convert your SOPs into digital instructions that operators execute with AR guidance.
Digital work instructionsupdated 3 Nov - Guide
Preventive Maintenance: How to Build a Plan That Gets Done
Preventive maintenance is maintenance carried out on a fixed schedule or usage interval, before equipment fails. It reduces unplanned downtime and extends asset life. The plan only works if every task is done the same way and recorded. Actarion guides technicians through each PM task on a tablet or AR glasses and logs every check automatically.
Maintenance and operationsupdated 3 Nov - Guide
Operator Onboarding: From First Day to Qualified, Faster
Operator onboarding is the structured process that takes a new production employee from first day to working independently and safely. A good onboarding plan defines tasks, levels, a buddy and checkpoints. Actarion shortens onboarding with digital work instructions and AR guidance, so new operators learn on the job while every step is recorded.
Training and knowledge retentionupdated 3 Nov - Guide
AR in Manufacturing: Use Cases That Pay Off and How to Start
AR in manufacturing means projecting digital information, such as work steps, arrows or checks, onto the real machine or product through a tablet or smart glasses. It helps operators find the right part, follow the right sequence and record what they did. Actarion uses AR to execute your SOPs as guided digital work instructions with an audit trail.
Hardware and implementationupdated 3 Nov - Guide
Smart Glasses for Manufacturing: Types, Use Cases and How to Choose
Smart glasses for manufacturing are wearable displays that show work instructions, checklists or a remote expert's view in the operator's field of vision, leaving both hands free. They range from simple monocular displays to full mixed reality headsets. Actarion runs your digital work instructions on smart glasses and tablets alike, so you pick the device per task.
Hardware and implementationupdated 3 Nov - Guide
Knowledge Capture in Manufacturing: Secure Expertise Before It Leaves
Knowledge capture is the systematic recording of the know-how of experienced employees, especially the unwritten tricks, so others can perform the work to the same standard. In manufacturing it is urgent because experienced operators and technicians retire. Actarion captures expert work on video, turns it into digital work instructions with AI and lets new people follow it with AR guidance.
Training and knowledge retentionupdated 3 Nov
Work instructions and SOPs
Operations and maintenance
Connected worker and AR
Free templates
Prefer to start right away? Download a work instruction template or an SOP template.
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