How Is Artificial Intelligence Making an Impact in Manufacturing?
Published on : Wednesday 03-01-2024
Industrial Automation explores the transformative power of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.
Artificial Intelligence is ushering in a new era for the manufacturing industry. It has transformed traditional processes and redefined the way products are designed, produced, and delivered. From smart factories to predictive maintenance, the applications of AI in manufacturing are diverse and impactful.
According to MarketsAndMarkets, the global AI market in manufacturing is predicted to make a great stride. It is growing at a CAGR of 45.6%, from UD$3.2 billion in 2023 to US$20.8 billion by 2028. As AI and industrial automation have become a necessity for all types of businesses, read on to know more about how you, as an industry leader, can get your hands on high-value, low-cost AI solutions for your business.
AI-powered innovation: What is AI in manufacturing?
Artificial Intelligence is one of the most revolutionary technologies, shaping the field of manufacturing. This technology is playing a crucial role in helping industry leaders better assess data and make decisions. The integration of artificial intelligence and industrial automation into manufacturing can bring unprecedented changes to improve efficiency, productivity, and overall performance.
AI mimics the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of humans by utilising computers and machines. It enables systems to identify objects and make predictions with accuracy and speed. Integrated with conventional computer vision, AI can expedite anomaly detection in factories, for example, by inspecting cereal boxes for defects on the production floor. This can significantly enhance manufacturing efficiency and minimise production costs.
How is AI used in the manufacturing sector?
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the manufacturing industry with its wide range of applications. It streamlines processes and enhances efficiency while creating room for a more advanced and adaptive manufacturing ecosystem. We have discussed below some of the ways in which AI is used in the manufacturing industry.
Predictive maintenance
Using AI algorithms can help evaluate historical and real-time data from sensors and equipment to envisage when machinery is likely to fail. This will improve predictive maintenance and help in scheduling repairs or replacements before a breakdown occurs, lowering downtime and maintenance costs. By optimising maintenance schedules, manufacturers and industry leaders can extend the lifespan of equipment and improve overall operational efficiency.
Quality control and defect detection
With AI-enabled computer vision systems, manufacturers can inspect and assess products for defects with high precision. Using ML algorithms, visual inspection ensures that products meet quality standards, minimising the likelihood of defective items reaching customers. The speed and accuracy which AI offers can significantly improve defect detection, enhancing overall product quality and customer satisfaction.
Collaborative robots (cobots)
Equipped with AI capabilities, cobots work alongside human operators, assisting in various manufacturing tasks. They enhance productivity, automate repetitive tasks, and improve worker safety.
Autonomous vehicles and drones
Driven by AI, autonomous vehicles like automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can help navigate within manufacturing facilities to transport materials. Drones, equipped with AI, are also used for inventory management, monitoring, and even delivering materials within a manufacturing environment. These technologies can significantly improve logistics, lessen manual labour, and improve the efficiency of material handling processes.
Supply chain management
By assessing data, AI optimises supply chain processes to provide insights for better decision-making. Its demand forecasting algorithms can help manufacturers anticipate market trends and adjust production accordingly. AI algorithms can also help in inventory management, ensuring optimal stock levels, reducing carrying costs, and preventing stockouts.
Data analytics for decision-making
Manufacturers can use artificial intelligence for decision-making as it processes large amounts of data. It can be used to optimise production planning, resource allocation, and overall operational efficiency. The analysis of data generated across the manufacturing ecosystem allows for continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.
Energy management
AI can be helpful in monitoring and optimising energy consumption in manufacturing processes. As AI leads to a smart factory ecosystem, it can adjust energy usage based on real-time demand, lowering overall energy costs and environmental impact. Equipped with AI, energy management systems can contribute to sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing practices.
Customisation and Personalisation
The use of artificial intelligence helps in assessing customer preferences and market trends to enable highly customised manufacturing processes. Using AI, manufacturers can customise products to individual needs and preferences and improve customer satisfaction and competitiveness in the market.
Sustainable manufacturing
With AI, manufacturers can contribute to sustainable practices by optimising resource utilisation and reducing waste. Smart factories equipped with AI can monitor and control environmental factors, minimising the ecological footprint of manufacturing processes. Guided by AI, sustainable practices align with global efforts to lead to environmentally friendly manufacturing.
Process optimisation and continuous improvement
Using artificial intelligence, manufacturers can continuously assess data to identify areas for improvement in manufacturing processes. This enables manufacturers to optimise production flows, lower inefficiencies, and improve overall operational performance. The iterative nature of AI-led optimisation drives continuous improvement and increased competitiveness.
The integration of AI and industrial automation will become even more prevalent and drive further innovation and advancements in the manufacturing sector as technology continues to evolve.
Why is AI critical to the future of manufacturing?
Survival in today’s competitive marketplace and ensuring sustainable manufacturing are more important. This is where fourth industrial (Industry 4.0) technologies, particularly AI and ML-powered innovations, play a pivotal role. Large amounts of production floor data can be processed and interpreted by AI tools to identify patterns, study and forecast customer behavior, identify anomalies in real-time production processes, and more.
With the aid of these tools, manufacturers can obtain complete visibility over all manufacturing processes in locations worldwide. AI-powered systems are also continuously able to learn, adapt, and improve because of machine learning algorithms.
Crafting Tomorrow: What is ahead for artificial intelligence in manufacturing?
AI in manufacturing has various potential uses, apart from improving demand forecasting, inspection, quality assurance, and warehouse automation. It can play a crucial role in Industry 4.0, the trend toward greater automation in manufacturing. AI will bring fully interconnected and intelligent manufacturing ecosystems driven by IoT and automation.
AI in manufacturing will also present a range of opportunities, which are as follows:
· The development of more innovative and efficient products
· Evolution in human-robot collaboration, where Cobots will become more adaptable and intuitive
· AI-driven supply chain management with more sophisticated algorithms for demand forecasting
· Energy-efficient sustainable manufacturing
· Advancement in training, maintenance, and design processes through the integration of AI with AR and VR technologies
· Advanced AI-enabled cybersecurity measures to tackle potential security breaches
· Continuous improvement through machine learning
· Transparency and traceability in the supply chain through the integration of AI and blockchain technologies
· Improved problem-solving abilities and adaptability with Cognitive Robotics, and
· Adherence to complex regulatory requirements and quality standards
The Final Thought
AI in manufacturing is not just about the intelligent processing of data or the automation of tasks. It is about the transformation of a whole industry. So, as we peer into the future, Industrial Automation believes that the opportunities presented by AI for the manufacturing industry are as boundless as our imagination.
