5 Benefits of AI in Manufacturing

Enhance product inspection and quality control

Many facilities have automated optical inspection (AOI) machines to perform quality checks. Such technology can help leaders identify and address trends that might negatively affect sales and reputation. Such applications depend on the nature of the plant and its product line. For instance, BMW Group leverages AI to study component images from its production line, helping plant managers intervene so that minor issues don’t devolve into larger ones.

Help teams do more with less

Contrary to popular belief, the point of automation isn’t to replace people. Instead, it’s to help workers and processes become more efficient. By joining forces, the collaboration of people, hardware, and software can help produce a consistently good product with less time and effort.

For example, a typical welding job requires a lot of programming and engineering for a robot to accomplish the task. And it takes people to program those robots. With robotic training, however, workers can move away from monotonous and potentially dangerous labor to focus on tasks that require critical thinking and creativity.

Facilitate preventative maintenance

According to a report from the Capgemini Research Institute, it’s estimated that about a third of use cases of AI in manufacturing are related to maintenance. This technology can be relevant in determining the point when the useful life of machinery could be diminished. Second, machine learning can mean the difference between a few minutes or hours of downtime vs. a complete shutdown.

Predictive maintenance sheds light on the historical performance data of machines to help managers forecast issues, limit downtime, and identify the root cause of the problem. Waiting too long on maintenance items can cause extensive wear and tear. Such an issue can also expose workers to safety hazards.

Forecast demand

Certain AI systems can detect buying patterns that can give manufacturers a competitive edge. For example, specific machine learning algorithms can trigger manufacturers to scale back or up the ante on the production of certain products. This ability to pivot on demand ensures that manufacturers have the goods already made so they can meet the demand.

Boost supply chain management

Large manufacturers must track large amounts of raw materials, supplies, orders, and vendors on any given day. Keeping tabs on everything requires a great deal of time and resources. That’s why more companies have looked to AI to help bolster their supply chain management. For example, a car manufacturer might rely on two suppliers’ nuts and bolts. If one vendor delivers a faulty batch of nuts and bolts, the car manufacturer must know which vehicles were affected. An AI system can help zero in on these details, making it easier for manufacturers to track inventory and issue recalls. This is another case in which automation could save lives. Process automation is what separates forward-thinking manufacturers from those stuck in the past. A critical competitive advantage is that it can increase the bottom line and widen market share. Manufacturers who adapt to the changing climate by adopting automation stand to gain operations efficiency and significantly increase sales, customer satisfaction, and referrals. Investing in Salesforce CRM process automation is critical to revolutionizing manufacturing operations and meeting business objectives. Manufacturers cannot afford to sit on the sidelines or risk falling short while the competition laps them.