Manufacturing is a fast-paced industry, where every stoppage or accident can cost businesses massively. This is where technology is key – helping businesses to gain a competitive advantage by driving efficiency, increased safety and quality. AI has evolved past being a gimmick and now plays a starring role in helping manufacturers to boost business results and maximise ROI.
In this guide, we delve into five crucial aspects of AI you should consider as part of your manufacturing strategy
1. Predictive Maintenance
Downtime can spell disaster for any facility and this is one area where AI can support businesses. Manufacturers can ensure their operations are running at peak performance by employing AI, such as computer vision, which can monitor machinery. When the system identifies wear from use, or damage, it can notify you that maintenance is required – enabling repairs to be scheduled, and for parts to be ordered before an immediate need for them. This drastically reduces the potential for any stoppages, and the delays associated with them.
2. Worker Safety
The use of AI in manufacturing isn’t exclusively for driving technological progress and for driving efficiency. It can also be used to safeguard the health of employees and anyone in a facility. By understanding where people are at any one time in a facility, systems can be used to understand crucial guardrails; such as whether PPE is being effectively used by all people on-site, or if an accident has occurred in near proximity to machinery so it can be turned off immediately. This helps protect staff, and in the possible scenario of an accident, help them as quickly as possible.
3. Tracking Production
Reducing flaws, optimising quality and driving optimal performance are all key in production, but some important information about a product can’t be discovered until it’s actually made. That’s where digital twins come in. These are simulations of a physical product which can help manufacturers to better predict how the final product will turn out. This process can help flag any issues with materials earlier on, and help institute better consistency. AI can also empower manufacturers to gain a better picture of their production process in real-time. By analysing data, it can provide crucial insights into problems such as bottlenecks, obstructions, and other problems that may be impacting performance, efficiency and quality.
4. Inventory and Logistics Optimisation
Using smart integrated technologies, managers can more easily and effectively monitor inventory levels, enabling real-time alerts of low stock levels. This clearer, more accurate picture drives down waste and enables for highly-tuned, optimised inventory. AI can also be used to monitor and track the movement of inventory, such as on forklifts, to discover where materials, machinery and products are. This opens up the door to further automation; powering a better flow of goods – which drives improved levels of efficiency in an environment where running like clockwork is a must.
5. Energy Management
Reducing energy consumption where possible has a dual benefit in both driving down costs and also making manufacturing a more sustainable practice. Technology can aid this through the use of various devices, cameras and sensors that can act as smart monitoring devices to measure facility usage – giving you a better understanding of occupancy. These can also be used to detect when particular machinery is not in use, or a certain area of a building, and intelligently conserve energy by turning these off until needed.
How Monstarlab can help
Monstarlab is a global digital consultancy experienced in industry-tailored AI-solutions. We can help you transform your manufacturing operations by understanding your problems and implementing innovative solutions that future-proof your business.
For more information, please contact:
Frank Juengst, Client Growth Director Monstarlab DACH, frank.juengst@monstar-lab.com
