10 Top AI Manufacturing Products

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a greater tool in the manufacturing industry. For years, the pieces of manufacturing — robots, processes, quality control and the supply chain — have been coming online, connecting to the cloud, the internet of things (IoT) and bringing vast stores of data with them. AI helps manufacturers make sense of their production data, use it to make intelligent decisions and feed those decisions back to the robots and humans working the plant, including for maintenance, product inspection and efficiencies. Here, we look at some of the top AI-enabled products in manufacturing.

1. IBM Maximo

The IBM Maximo suite — including computerized maintenance management (CMMS), enterprise asset management (EAM), application performance monitoring (APM) and revenue cycle management (RCM) — is an integrated cloud-based AI platform that helps companies optimize their asset management and maintenance processes. It collects data from connected devices, analyzes the information it gets from sensors, devices and systems in operation. The platform uses the data to reduce downtime by monitoring and planning equipment maintenance as well as boost safety and compliance and increase a plant’s efficiency and productivity.

2. Siemens Insights Hub

Insights Hub by Siemens is a cloud-based industrial internet of things (IIoT)-as-a-service solution that connects machines, products, plants and physical infrastructure to digital tools. By supporting multiple protocols, it allows manufacturers to connect physical, web and enterprise systems to capture real-time operational data from across the enterprise. This allows companies to increase productivity and optimize efficiency while staying flexible and competitive. The platform offers features such as predictive maintenance, energy management, fleet management and product performance optimization across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and health care. With its open architecture, Insights Hub can integrate data from both Siemens and third-party solutions, enabling companies to create their own industrial IoT applications and solutions.

3. ABB Ability

ABB Ability is an industrial analytics and AI suite that gives manufacturers unique insights into complex operations, allowing them to tap vast stores of data in real-time. It quickly analyzes the data to help them make smarter and faster operational decisions. This portfolio of tools gathers data from connected machines across the enterprise and uses AI to analyze the data, so decision makers can optimize everything from robots to facilities and control systems to the supply chain. With an open architecture, ABB Ability can integrate data from both ABB and third-party products and systems, allowing manufacturers to create custom digital solutions tailored to their specific needs.

4. Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Analytics

FactoryTalk Analytics by Rockwell Automation uses artificial intelligence to turn manufacturing data into decisions. The platform collects and analyzes data from machines, sensors, systems and databases and delivers relevant and timely information to operators, engineers and managers, so they can know — within minutes — when something needs their attention. They’re also able to gather all the parameters and data they need to make those decisions. FactoryTalk Analytics can help improve quality, efficiency, productivity and sustainability in many manufacturing applications. It allows decision makers to see the data they need, without having to walk through the plant to gather it. This means they can monitor performance, diagnose problems, optimize processes to improve production, and predict outcomes in near real-time.

5. Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform

Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform is a cloud-based solution that helps connect and automate a manufacturing operation, from the “shop floor to the top floor.” It allows manufacturers to connect existing ERP solutions to its manufacturing execution system (MES) or to deploy Plex’s entire set of ERP, MES and supply chain management (SCM) tools to capture and analyze data from every aspect of the business, use AI to analyze that data and make data-informed decisions on the fly. It taps into data from machines, sensors, systems, materials, suppliers and customers and delivers it all to the decision maker, while using AI to offer insights and recommendations to improve the quality, efficiency, productivity and profitability of the plant. This data collection and decision-making support improves control over processes, reduces waste and downtime and increases agility and innovation.

See more: 10 Top AI Manufacturing Companies

6. KUKA Industrial Robots

KUKA is a German robotics company that is advancing the way AI can enhance the abilities of its industrial robots line to perform tasks that are as different as picking parts from a bin to picking apples. The machines use computer vision, machine learning (ML) and AI to work autonomously and learn from data to automate fine improvements in industrial production. The robots can sense their environment, communicate with each other and adjust their actions accordingly. They can also perform complex tasks that require precision, dexterity and flexibility, such as assembling intricate components and handling delicate materials. KUKA’s AI-powered robots aim to enhance human-robot collaboration, improve product quality and increase efficiency and productivity on the factory floor.

7. SparkCognition Industrial AI Suite

SparkCognition Industrial AI Suite is an AI-powered predictive maintenance solution that uses machine learning to analyze sensor data and identify potential equipment failures before they happen. Instead of the slow and inaccurate process of following a maintenance schedule and inspecting equipment, it gathers data in real-time from deployed assets and their environment and makes intelligent suggestions about when to perform maintenance and expect failures. This can reduce machine downtime by as much as 50% and increase the life expectancy of machines by up to 40%, according to the company.

8. Cognex In-Sight

Cognex's In-Sight is a line of vision systems and sensors that capture and analyze images of various products, parts and materials. By using deep learning techniques, In-Sight can look for anomalies on parts and in processes and use AI to automate decision making and quality control. It can then provide accurate and reliable results for tasks, such as inspection, defect detection, measurement and guidance. In-Sight helps manufacturers reduce waste and increase productivity.

9. Oden Technologies Process AI

Oden Technologies’ Process AI uses industrial IoT combined with machine learning to optimize manufacturing processes and improve quality. It collects data from sensors, machines and ERP systems and analyzes the data to identify the root causes of defects, predict failures and recommend actions. It can also help new line process operators make fast decisions and optimize processes intelligently, as if they had years of experience on the job. Oden Technologies’ Process AI helps manufacturers to reduce scrap, increase yield and achieve operational excellence.

10. FANUC iRVision Robots

FANUC is a leading provider of robots, including cobots, for industrial applications. The robots are used for everything from assembly to welding, painting, picking and inspection. They work in various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, food and beverage and electronics. They are able to see using FANUC iRVision and use artificial intelligence and machine learning to inform the performance, flexibility and efficiency of the robot’s actions. Fanuc's robots learn from their own experience, adapt to changing conditions and collaborate with humans and other robots.

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