The manufacturing sector has plenty of reasons to be excited about AI. Here are some of the most common opportunities it presents:
Exponential growth
In manufacturing, change often comes incrementally while the power of computing doubles every 18-24 months, bringing rapid changes to AI. Industry must be prepared to meet the technological challenges associated with using AI efficiency and cost-effectively.
Predictive Maintenance
AI-powered predictive maintenance systems are transforming equipment upkeep in manufacturing facilities. These intelligent systems continuously monitor machinery through sensors that track vibrations, temperature, and performance patterns. By analyzing this data alongside historical performance records, AI can identify subtle signs of wear or potential failures long before they become critical.
“Predictive maintenance is an area where you can put sensors on a lot of your equipment, aggregate that data and monitor that system in your machinery,” said Ingrid Tighe, president of MMTC. “You can see a specific point in your plant and identify when a piece of equipment is about to go down. It can also detect parts out of tolerance, helping you be more efficient and get more out of equipment.”
AI’s effectiveness in this area is widely recognized. According to Capgemini, maintenance projects account for 32% of AI implementation efforts. This proactive approach allows maintenance teams to schedule repairs during planned downtimes, significantly reducing unexpected breakdowns and extending the equipment’s lifespan.
