FACE TO FACE
The Trumatic 5000 punch laser machine at INTECH . TRUMPF demonstrated the power of its AI solutions at INTECH 2024 .
Metal parts designed using AI .
TRUMPF already offers its customers solutions that work with AI . In machine tools , for example , its AI solutions support users in sorting cut components or improving the design of assemblies . In laser technology , TRUMPF ’ s AI solutions help with process control . This reduces disruptive influences such as contamination or scratches on a component . On the hardware side , TRUMPF already supplies key components for expanding the computing capacity for AI developments with EUV and TRUMPF Photonic Components .
TRUMPF is already working with AI to make its own processes more efficient . One example is the pilot project for an AIbased language model for technical service , which works in a similar way to Chat GPT . If a machine malfunctions , the service engineer can ask the AI how to solve the problem . To do this , he enters all the details of the fault , such as the error message , into the software ’ s user interface . Within a few seconds , he receives possible solutions . As the software continuously learns from TRUMPF ’ s service reports , the quality of the answers is also continuously improving . This reduces the
The new TruLaser 8000 Coil Edition on display at INTECH .
In five years ’ time , we want to be the leading user and leading provider of AI solutions in our industry
workload on service staff and machine errors can be rectified more quickly .
“ Around 90 TRUMPF employees worldwide focus on AI , primarily in product development . A significantly larger number come into contact with AI in their daily work ,” confirmed the company .
New AI software and solutions
At this year ’ s in-house INTECH exhibition , TRUMPF unveiled an initial version of a solution that provides designers with support based on artificial intelligence ( AI ). Its iAssist software analyses improvements to assemblies and suggests ways of realizing this design potential . Designers can upload the STEP file for the assembly . In a couple of seconds , the AI-based software analyses the data and generates a result .
“ With iAssist , designers can achieve very good results much quicker ,” explained Jörg Heusel , R & D manager for sheet metal design at TRUMPF . “ Instead of improving the parts using trial and error , the software automatically shows where the greatest potential for optimisation lies . This generates better results and helps companies become more efficient .”
During analysis , iAssist also takes economic factors into account and shows , for example , how material can be saved or production steps eliminated . On this project , Heusel ’ s team is working with Optimate , a start-up company spun off from TRUMPF , and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology ( KIT ). The iAssist solution uses AI algorithms from Optimate to improve individual components and an algorithm trained by TRUMPF to optimise the assembly as a whole . For this purpose , Heusel and his team have classified over 2,000 assemblies in terms of their potential for optimisation . In parallel , KIT students are using iAssist to improve the design of assemblies . TRUMPF then uses this data to further train the AI .
“ Working with the KIT students has demonstrated the advantages of iAssist ,” said Heusel . “ After just two or three passes with iAssist , most students ( even beginners ) were starting to achieve very good results .”
At present , TRUMPF is making iAssist available free of charge to all interested users .
“ Customers can use the software to optimise their components ,” Heusel explained . “ We , in turn , can then use their data to further train the AI and continuously improve the quality of its analysis .”
TRUMPF has further plans for the software : to connect the design data for components with production data from the machines used to manufacture them .
“ If , for example , there ’ s a problem with
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