Why Invest in AI?
While artificial intelligence technology is not ideal for every application, many manufacturing engineers are intrigued by the potential.
“Manufacturers are always looking for ways to improve efficiency and productivity, at reduced costs, with a dependable output of high-quality products while satisfying greenhouse gas emission requirements,” says Doug Lawson, CEO of ThinkIQ. “Artificial Intelligence is opening greater possibilities for more optimized manufacturing processes to these ends.
“Stricter standards and regulations today require manufacturers to produce consistently high-quality products, often a challenge when also handling consumer demand and short market deadlines,” explains Lawson. “One particularly promising development is the pairing of AI with continuous monitoring to prevent potential incidents.
“Machine vision powered by AI can now analyze video images captured from cameras throughout an assembly line, and use data analytics to analyze parameters and detect anomalies in materials and products to reveal the source of the issue in real-time,” Lawson points out. “Cameras and machine vision give operators and managers real-time reporting on critical activities and events. This way, issues can quickly be addressed and resolved, avoiding costly recalls and damage to brand reputation.”
