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Many popular brands credit their success to manufacturing automation. It helps to enhance overall equipment efficiency and boost production. With time, the manufacturers can experience many other benefits. The transformation process includes the digitization of many procedures and components, which can be overwhelming.

A few companies prefer taking back foot while implementing artificial intelligence in manufacturing, as they are confused about the correct technique. Many failed cases also discourage them. One should understand that the right strategies and trained personnel can make the transition smooth, ignoring a few hiccups in the initial stage.

This blog provides a few simple ideas/tips to include artificial intelligence and turn a unit into a factory that is a live example of manufacturing industry 4.0. It can convince the reader to take the plunge and adopt the technology with both hands.

What is the Urgency to Opt for Manufacturing Automation?

The present market trend has put pressure on manufacturers. They are continuously looking for

• Find cost-saving techniques
• High revenue volatility
• Shorter production procedures
• Enhancing manufacturing capacity to meet supply demands
• Methods to produce customized goods

Manufacturing automation can help in every aspect and can further aid in maintaining regulations and accommodate new techniques with ease. It allows manufacturers to stay ahead of the competitors and withstand the cutthroat competition.

Application Of Artificial Intelligence In The Manufacturing Industry

It may be hard to believe, but applying artificial intelligence in manufacturing field can do wonders. The prime applications of this technology include:

• Detection of defects

The present system does not include any technology to detect defects across the production line. If they are present, they would be minimal but require a special team to maintain the system. Further, these systems cannot integrate new information, which results in sub-standard quality products. Such situations call for manual checking by an on-site employee.

Artificial intelligence in manufacturing sector help manufacturers saves countless hours, as the technology eliminates faulty products and the need for quality checks. The manufacturer would also not need personnel for the purpose.

• Quality assurance

Manufacturing requires attention to detail. In the past, quality assurance was the task of trained personnel. The trained staff members ensure that quality is maintained. They would also check the configuration of every circuit.  

Manufacturing automation includes processing algorithms that validate if the item is manufactured as per the given guidelines. The transformation involves installing a camera in vital areas throughout the floor. Validating of the products is done in real-time, thus saving time and money.

• Assembly line integration

The present production equipment sends a large amount of data to the cloud. Only an expert can understand and put them together, resulting in meaningful output.

Equipment and machines that are part of manufacturing industry 4.0 can be connected to an integrated app. The software is capable of collecting the data and connects all the equipment through IoT. It would provide the manufacturers and experts with a good view of the operations.

• Supply-chain management

The use of artificial intelligence in supply-chain management is happening rapidly. Technologies like machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing and speech recognition have made various operations simple. Artificial intelligence can be put to use in areas such as 

• Establishing strong communication channels among department
• Warehouse management and logistics
• Development of autonomous vehicles
• Forecasting of product demand

• Inventory management

Artificial intelligence in manufacturing simplifies managing order records and deleting or adding new inventories. Machine learning technology helps in managing supply, demand and inventory.

• Robotics in manufacturing

Robotics plays a crucial role in the manufacturing industry 4.0. It provides more flexibility to humans, as they perform monotonous tasks without any error or boredom. Hence, the technology is termed to be a boon for manufacturers.

Artificial intelligence applications are not limited to manufacturing, but it has spread its wings across various sectors. Designing is one field that provides the manufactures with a lucrative option. In this case, the designer inputs design goals to the design algorithms (set of programs). These programs would explore all the possible combinations and provide a sustainable factory 4.0 solution, along with a few alternatives. The technology would use machine learning techniques to check on each option and provide ways to improve each option.

Introducing artificial intelligence into the manufacturing unit would be a guarantee numerous benefits. It also proves to be a great factory 4.0 solution, as manufacturers can increase their production and reduce the production cost. Hence, manufacturers should look towards this form of digital transformation at the earliest.