How AI Can Improve Your Manufacturing Process?
Manufacturers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence, or AI, to automate manufacturing processes and equipment. Part of AI’s appeal stems from its ability to determine the condition of in-service equipment, which allows it to estimate when maintenance should be performed on the machinery - predictive maintenance. Artificial Intelligence for Predictive Maintenance helps companies save money by tailoring maintenance routines to each piece of equipment’s needs, rather than having them conform to a set schedule.
Using AI in manufacturing comes with many advantages that will make your processes more efficient and cost-effective.
Some businesses use AI to visually inspect parts in factories. An AI system can recognize patterns of imperfections after being trained with just a few images. Inspection systems that don’t use AI often need datasets of roughly one million images before they’re able to notice these same patterns, so the AI system is a big improvement. Currently, many factories employ hundreds of people to try to find such imperfections, which can be more efficiently managed through the effective use of AI.
AI systems can also read and follow CAD instructions, which gives them the ability to build parts without hours of preprogramming. For example, dual-armed AI robots divide tasks between their arms as needed, analogous to how humans do similar work. The robot can use its AI to decide which arm to use on a given task, eliminating the need for exhaustive preprogramming that anticipates every possible contingency.
AI for predictive maintenance can also adapt to a rapidly changing market by using algorithms that optimize supply chains. This helps companies anticipate changes in the market, allowing management to move from a reactionary mindset to a strategic one.
These are just some of the common uses of AI in predictive maintenance in manufacturing. Now, with recent technological improvements making these systems smarter than ever, manufacturers are increasingly turning to AI maintenance as a means to dodge facility downtimes by anticipating when their equipment will need repairs.
Predicting Machine Failure with Artificial Intelligence
What Is Predictive Maintenance?
Predictive maintenance helps companies evaluate the condition of their in-service equipment to figure out when maintenance is needed. Doing so improves cost efficiency by only performing maintenance when required, rather than on a set schedule. Predictive maintenance also helps prevent unexpected equipment failures by ensuring that management has the correct information about the equipment at all times.
For example, in milling facilities, Artificial Intelligence predictive maintenance or AI maintenance programs can monitor the equipment’s spindles. Because these spindles tend to break easily, they typically incur a great deal of repair costs. However, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based predictive maintenance solution can detect anomalies and perform a root cause analysis that may prevent production delays and equipment failure.
Predictive Maintenance vs. Preventive Maintenance
Although AI can handle both procedures, it’s important to not confuse predictive maintenance with preventive maintenance. Predictive maintenance has equipment undergo maintenance when it is needed, whereas preventive maintenance has the work performed on a set schedule, whether it’s needed or not.
Preventive maintenance causes the company to spend more money by performing maintenance even if it is not necessary. Preventive maintenance is often performed on a schedule that is determined by typical breakdown rates of similar parts.
Quality Artificial Intelligence For Predictive Maintenance Software and Solutions from IndustLabs
The use of AI maintenance in manufacturing can help improve efficiency and reduce costs for companies. Among the advantages of AI is that it allows facilities to perform AI predictive maintenance rather than preventive maintenance—not to mention that it reduces labor costs by allowing robots to perform a greater share of tasks within your facility.
IndustLabs uses AI for predictive maintenance in our industrial IOT platform to predict motor failure, allowing firms to manage problems before they happen. If you would like to learn more about our Industrial IoT platform, be sure to contact us today!