Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in production processes. For example, work instructions for assembly can be created on the basis of 3D CAD models.
This has the potential to make industrial processes more efficient, safer and less error-prone. At the “AI in production” experience exchange at the host company HOMAG Kantentechnik GmbH in Lemgo, the participants were able to get an idea of AI applications in production based on various presentations and a tour of the company. They also gained an impression of the latest research findings on AI applications in production processes.
Machine learning expert Dr. Gesa Benndorf from Fraunhofer IOSB-INA in Lemgo spoke about active learning and generative AI in automation and machine maintenance. Dr. Benndorf heads the Machine Learning group there, which develops and implements AI solutions for industrial applications. Dr. Benndorf presented AI-supported processes and their application in practice. COMETH, for example, is an active learning method for detecting anomalies in processes and systems that only requires a small amount of data and learns during use. COMETH has been successfully used, for example, to monitor a laundry separation system at Kannegiesser.
Prof. Sven Hinrichsen, Department of Production and Wood Technology at Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences, spoke about the “Potential of using robotic process automation and generative AI for work preparation”. In his presentation, he pointed out that the proportion of information-based work is also increasing in production areas such as manual assembly. He emphasized that those companies that succeed in deriving suitable complexity management strategies and thus reducing costs are particularly successful. Robotic process automation and retrieval augmented generation offer approaches for making complexity manageable and optimizing work processes in work preparation, according to Prof. Hinrichsen. Using the example of creating assembly instructions, he showed how AI can help to increase productivity in work preparation.
On behalf of the host company HOMAG Kantentechnik, Managing Director Ernst Voß and Industrial Engineer Florian Wigowski reported on the design and introduction of an intelligent assistance system at the Lemgo-based edging technology company.
The intensive discussion in the final Q&A session once again underlined the high relevance of AI in manufacturing processes.
Organizer
The event was organized by ProduktionNRW. ProduktionNRW is the cluster for mechanical engineering and production technology in North Rhine-Westphalia and is organized by VDMA NRW. ProduktionNRW sees itself as a platform for networking, informing and marketing companies, institutions and networks with each other and along the value chain. Significant parts of the services provided by ProduktionNRW are funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.