ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
APAC accounted for the largest share of AI in manufacturing markets
APAC accounted for the largest share of AI in manufacturing markets . The high adoption of industrial robots is expected to play a vital role in the growth of this market .
Artificial Intelligence of Things
One approach enabling a holistic optimisation of production is the combination of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things to form an “ Artificial Intelligence of Things ” ( AIoT ), as created by KUKA subsidiary Device Insight and AI specialist , Sentian . Here , the aim is to continuously reduce deviations from the optimum within a manufacturing process and to automate improvements .
“ As initial applications of AIoT show , it is precisely the fine adjustments of industrial production that can exploit enormous potential to increase the quality of goods produced and overall yield . According to McKinsey , this will enable an increase in efficiency of up to 30- per cent . The key is therefore to synchronise AI and IoT technologies ,” explained robotics specialist , KUKA .
“ If you think of AI as the brain of Industry- 4.0 , the Internet of Things functions like the nervous system in the body of a factory . Only when both systems work together , i . e ., when well-prepared data is applied in large quantities to the latest machine learning methods , can the full potential of AIoT be exploited ,” commented Martin Dimmler , Business Development and Solutions Lead Cloud & AI , Device Insight .
“ In 10 to 15 years , Artificial Intelligence will be in every production process ,” added Martin Rugfelt , CEO of Sentian . “ In fact , AI is already important for many industrial companies . It can reduce energy consumption in the chemical industry , cut waste in the pharmaceutical industry , handle variation in paper production or optimise production lines in discrete manufacturing .”
AI and Industry 4.0
“ If the first industrial revolution was set in motion by steam , then Industry 4.0 is being powered by Artificial Intelligence . With its ability to automate , digitise and optimise ,
AI is the perfect fit for manufacturing operations , from product development to quality control . A computer vision system , for example , allowed GM to detect 72 instances of component failure , preventing massive downtime ( a single of minute of which can cost a company of that size up to US $ 20,000 ) while a machine learning system significantly improved Danone ’ s demand forecast accuracy ( reducing forecast error by 20 %, lost sales by 30 % product obsolescence by 30 % and demand planner ’ s workload by 50 %),” said analyst , CapGemini .
The latest report from the Capgemini Research Institute – ‘ Scaling AI in Manufacturing Operations ’ – shows that intelligent maintenance , together with product quality inspection and demand planning , constitute a good starting point for manufacturers to focus their efforts .
Big Data and AI give Industry 4.0 a huge boost . Intelligent software solutions can use the high volumes of data generated by a factory to identify trends and patterns that can then be used to make manufacturing processes more efficient and reduce their energy consumption . This is how plants are constantly adapting to new circumstances and undergoing optimisation processes with no need for operator input .
“ As the level of networking increases , AI software can learn to ‘ read between the lines ’, which can lead to the discovery of many complex connections in systems that aren ’ t yet or are no longer evident to the human eye . Intelligent software with sufficiently intelligent analytical technology is already available .
Intelligent software solutions can use the high volumes of data generated by a factory to identify trends and patterns that can then be used to make manufacturing processes more efficient and reduce their energy consumption
16 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR February 2021