AI, NLG, and Machine Learning

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing

With constant shifts in consumer needs and expectations, many industries are turning to artificial intelligence to increase efficiency to better meet customer demands. Learn more about the benefits of AI in manufacturing.

By Adam Westin
August 31, 2020

Benefits of AI in Manufacturing

There’s no doubt that artificial intelligence has revolutionized the way we operate. From healthcare to advertising to your Netflix recommendations, AI directly enhances our day to day lives by providing a fast, efficient, and customized experience. But how does AI impact our lives in ways that we may not be aware of? Look around you at the products that fill your home that you use every single day. AI technology has become more developed and advanced, leading to lower costs and making the technology more accessible across various industries. This shift has made a massive impact in the way that products are manufactured and has led to more efficiency, less human error, and greater output overall. Let’s explore the role of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.

Generative Design

AI technology in robotics allows us to achieve collaboration between human minds and bot technical capabilities. Generative design demonstrates this principle by receiving human inputs that tell the machine the input elements, specifications, tolerances, etc., that are then considered in building a complex algorithm. Using this algorithm, artificial intelligence runs simulations of all possible combinations of the design inputs to create the optimum product design.

Quality Assurance Inspections

Companies like BMW and Canon have found valuable use of artificial intelligence using advanced imaging comparison technology to identify discrepancies and deviations from product design specifications and catch errors that may be undetectable to the human eye. This creates more consistent quality, which is beneficial for business on many levels, from a customer satisfaction perspective to a time and cost savings standpoint.

Preventative Maintenance

Many industries use artificial intelligence to predict when mechanical parts may require replacing. Machine learning combined with historical data creates an algorithm that identifies potential problems before they arise, allowing operational employees to take the necessary measures to prevent issues that may slow or even halt production.

Predictive Forecasting

In today’s ever-changing climate, businesses must be attentive to subtle shifts in consumer patterns that indicate major demand fluctuations in the near future, as this can create serious issues upstream for production. AI algorithms can help manage all elements of the supply chain to prepare for market shifts that may otherwise hurt production and distribution. Anticipating these market fluctuations allows businesses to become extremely resilient and focus time and resources to the most critical points, adopting a proactive versus reactive strategy.

Real-time Monitoring

Real-time monitoring is one of the most significant benefits of AI in manufacturing, as it provides a more detailed picture of where in the manufacturing process any inefficiencies are occurring and what is causing the bottleneck. The ability to pinpoint the exact process that requires improvement allows businesses to promptly address the issue, resulting in time and cost savings.

The benefits of AI in manufacturing cannot be overstated. From predicting when a machine on the assembly line will require maintenance to predicting production volumes based on consumer patterns and data, artificial intelligence has proven numerous ways that it is revolutionizing production on both tactical and strategic levels. While we have already taken massive strides in implementing AI in manufacturing applications, there is still much work to be done. Businesses continue to research how they can improve and enhance their operations by replacing or supplementing human labor to complete menial production tasks, freeing up opportunities for workers to think more strategically and creatively. To learn more about how bots are used to help business operations, check out How Can Bots Help Your Business? For additional resources on Bots in Business, check out our curation of helpful articles here!