AI in manufacturing is revolutionizing the way factories around the world make and do things.
According to Olivier Scalabre, Senior Partner & Managing Director of the Boston Consulting Group,“this is the fourth manufacturing revolution, and it’s happening right now.”
AI technology is eliminating many jobs in manufacturing; experts predict that up to 20 million factory roles will be replaced by AI-controlled robots by 2030. Although it is bad for the workers, implementing AI in manufacturing typically results in a 50% reduction in production time.
AI is indeed radically transforming manufacturing, but what remains to be seen is how AI will reshape our job market and industries moving forward.
AI in Manufacturing Statistics
- According to the manufacturers, implementing AI reduces production time by 50%.
- On a global scale, 64% of manufacturers use AI in their operations.
- The Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market was valued at USD 1.82 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.2% to USD 9.89 billion by 2027.
- 23 percent of manufacturers polled believe they lack the talent to properly leverage AI.
- AI technologies are anticipated to increase production by at least 40% by 2035.
- A survey on AI adoption in manufacturing by Deloitte found that 93% of businesses think AI will be a key technology to spur growth and innovation in the industry.
- Quality control is cited as the most significant application of artificial intelligence (59 percent).
Sources:(Fortune Business Insights, Deloitte, MIT Technology Review Insights, Google).
Future Of AI In Manufacturing
The amazing development of AI in manufacturing is predicted to progress further and make an even larger impact by 2027, as it will be valued at a whopping USD 9.89 Billion.
And that’s not all, by 2035 AI technologies are estimated to significantly elevate production output by 40% or more reported by Plant Automation Technology.
Companies have come to appreciate the continuously increasing potential of AI in improving their global competitive positions, in areas such as the ability to predict issues and react to them instantly, creating rapid data driven decisions, and enhancing real-time equipment maintenance and virtual design.
It is clear that AI technologies will revolutionize the production industry for many years to come.
AI Impact On Manufacturing
The application of Artificial Intelligence in the manufacturing industry has paved the way for a more efficient, cost-effective and safe production process.
Predictive maintenance helps manufacturers reduce downtime and maintenance costs to ensure higher profits. AI can also enhance product quality by inspecting products for defects, thus avoiding wastage or poor customer satisfaction.
Moreover, process optimization through AI-based technologies enables increased efficiency while avoiding manual labor, thereby minimizing costs.
Not only that, robotics makes it possible to carry out complex tasks with greater precision compared to a manual worker; plus, creating a smart factory real-time monitoring capability lets businesses respond immediately to any changes in production processes.
In nutshell, AI is essential for manufacturers to remain competitive in the dynamic market landscape – it helps them stay ahead of their competitors through its numerous advantages.
How AI Is Used In Manufacturing
AI is quickly taking over many aspects of industrial production, and manufacturing is no exception. AI software utilizes powerful algorithms to collect and analyze data from manufacturing processes, such as inventory levels or production times.
This data can be used to fine-tune processes for maximum efficiency or even help predict when equipment will fail and need maintenance.
Leveraging the power of AI in manufacturing has proved to be a game changer for companies that use it, since making decisions based on data rather than instinct lets them run faster and smoother according to Katie Rapp editor for NIST’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
AI is being used by businesses to substantially improve their manufacturing methods and get more done while decreasing waste and cost.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing
AI has the potential to improve manufacturing efficiency and quality by providing insights that humans cannot discover. Let’s explore the applications of AI in manufacturing according to
Irish Manufacturing Research Snr Technologist, Carlos Garcia.
#1. Improve Quality Control
One of the primary applications of AI in manufacturing is its ability to improve quality control. Automated visual inspection is a critical application that employs machine vision and deep learning to detect product flaws.
This technology can identify small flaws that humans cannot detect, improving accuracy and speed. Bridgestone, a Japanese tire manufacturer, uses an examination system to control the quality of its products. The system employs 480 different variables to check the quality of the tires, resulting in a 15% improvement in uniformity compared to conventional manufacturing processes.
#2. Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance is another important application of AI in manufacturing. It involves using machine learning to predict when components are likely to fail, preventing unplanned downtime. The technology analyzes millions of events to identify patterns that could indicate a component failure.
Volvo uses this technology to assess the impact of temperature and pressure on its production line. They can predict when an air compressor is likely to fail, allowing them to take preventative measures before the failure occurs.
General Motors employs a different approach that use cameras installed on the tops of assembly robots to identify indicators of deteriorating robotic components before they fail.
#3. Design Stage
AI also helps manufacturers in the design stage. Generative design automated prototyping is an application that uses AI to help manufacturers design new products.
The technology generates multiple options and selects the most promising ones.
Google’s DeepMind developed an AI that learned to play Go, an ancient Chinese game, by itself.
The AI developed tactics that no human had ever seen before. This demonstrates AI’s ability to select optimal solutions to problems that humans cannot discover.
