The Role of AI in Manufacturing has Many Faces
The role of AI in manufacturing has been something business owners have questioned since the proliferation of Industry 4.0 throughout the industry. However, it would be naive to assume there is just one role for AI in manufacturing considering the countless applications it has today.
For example, AI offers real-time alerts for wear, tear, fault or breakdown. AI also can be used to accurately predict time to live for assets like machinery, improving the overall life. Manufacturers using AI also can make more informed asset maintenance schedules, triggering a focused repair and MRO schedule optimizing overall effort, cost and quality across assets.
AI also can enhance the use of robots through better task handling. Enhanced effectiveness of robots in the form of powerful software can enable robots to take on complex tasks. The role of AI in better human-robot interaction to enable more effective utilization of robots also is key.
Within the manufacturing supply chain, AI combined with the IoT has tremendous potential. For example, real-time tracking of supply vehicles helps in better utilization of logistics fleet, thereby optimizing overall production schedules. A better data-drive, AI-based approach to analyzing inventory and using it to lower inventory costs can be a great cost saver for manufacturers, as well.
For quality process improvement, AI can enable understand limitations, shortcomings, or deficiencies of current as manufacturing quality processes, and using AI applied on quality data several improvement opportunities can be harnessed.
For AI to be used effectively, it’s important that the strategy around it feeds into your larger business strategy, always taking into account the convergence of people, process and technology. 2W Tech is a full service IT consulting firm that specializes in manufacturing technology solutions. Give us a call today and we can help evaluate your IT business plan and how AI can play a role within your organization.
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