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FEATURE


intelligence tool for customer facing applications, which enables engineers to use machine learning algorithms to achieve high added value from the data produced by their systems. It was initially designed to address three key areas: preventative maintenance, energy efficiency and quality optimisation, so customers can ultimately increase productivity and reduce costs. Early developers of AI looked to the Cloud


A


for data storage and processing, but today’s developments are focused on more localised applications – on Edge or embedded within Smart products. These include new additional Festo AX applications in areas such as Grip AI, a robot vision aid and Cylinder AI, a stand- alone actuator package. Artificial Intelligence is a form of Machine Learning – the system improves and develops through use. Festo AX keeps humans ‘in the loop’ by integrating the users’ valuable application knowledge alongside our algorithms in what is called Reinforcement Learning software. User inputs help Festo AX to ‘learn’ more about the state of the assets, providing continuous learning and thereby improving the algorithm predictions. This means anomalies are more reliably defined, with finer classifications and alerts raised more appropriately. Human feedback on anomalies detected within the data trains the software, translating raw data into systemised models where patterns are established, and the causes and solutions are correctly categorised and communicated. Having learned what is important, or not,


notifications and alerts are raised to the appropriate people at the best time and in the preferred way. This can be via high level reports, maintenance interventions, text messages or direct input to smart maintenance tools.


SIMPLIFYING THE DESIGN PROCESS Away from the machine control environment there are many other applications in machine design and operation utilising AI. In my view, the future of Machine Learning and Industrial Automation are intrinsically linked. We will soon see more powerful software tools that support designers and programmers with AI optimised machine designs. These will be programmed more intuitively than today using plain speech or text, making them easier to use than ever. AI will also enable us to create complex machine models more rapidly and accurately from standardised and structured data models. Digital Twins will play an intrinsic role by incorporating all the information about components and sub-systems: their physical attributes, performance dynamics and operation. A standardised and structured format enables digital reading and means the user doesn’t need to ‘hard program’ all this data. The system ‘reads’ its constituent parts and ‘understands’ their operation, interpreting anomalies in their performance and supplying valuable information in plain text to improve predictive maintenance, energy consumption, etc. This means the digital system configuration is always up to date and isn’t reliant on updating documentation or programs during the machine lifecycle.


IIOT & SMART MANUFACTURING


I has been a focus for a long time within Festo. We have, for example, developed the Festo Automation Experience [AX] artificial


REALISING THE POTENTIAL OF AI


In light of negative press stories, the engineering community needs to play a crucial role in understanding and communicating the true


benefits of AI technology, and highlighting the practical industrial applications that are already massively improving productivity, reducing energy


consumption and increasing competitiveness. Steve Sands, technical consultant at Festo GB, comments Engineers can already see exactly how much


CO2 it takes to manufacture a machine and its individual components, and how much CO2 is consumed during its lifetime. This has huge


benefits in terms of sustainability, giving engineers visibility of each machine’s complete carbon footprint from conception to end of life, even before anything has physically been built. Combining this with individual machines’ Digital Twins will allow complete plant operations to be mapped, monitored and optimised. I anticipate that designing machines using AI will work in a similar way to creative AI programmes like Stable Diffusion Art, whereby the user defines what they want to achieve, and AI APIs suggest alternative solutions. The engineer can either directly review the solutions or use a secondary AI package to challenge the designs and ensure they are feasible (as Chat GPT already does). We can already see AI tools being used for software programming based on the clear text definition of the task, the proposed machine design and any constraints and frameworks, such as safety. Another great example from Festo is in the


maintenance and repair stage of a machine’s lifecycle. Our technical support specialists have a reoccurring task to identify photographs sent to them of Festo components on their machines. These sometimes include the labels or parts of labels if they have been damaged, or sometimes


40 DESIGN SOLUTIONS JULY/AUGUST 2023


just the product. Very recently, an AI supported service has been introduced that helps customers identify their product images – whether it is of the data matrix, the product label, or the product image. The systems recognition capability is constantly improving, and its scope is being expanded from its initial launch across a few product families to eventually the whole range. Once a product is identified, the specific Spare Parts catalogue information and complete product data is immediately accessible.


AN AI-ENABLED FUTURE There are clearly wider risks and challenges as we move towards an AI-enabled future. Factors like IP ownership and in-built bias need to be monitored and carefully addressed and, as AI solutions become ever more convincing, we need to be careful that logic errors aren’t built-in, reinforced, or repeated. The responsibility remains with humans to verify and check automated outputs. For engineers, staying up to date with the latest


AI developments is essential if we are to realise its full potential and enable society to increase confidence in the technology. We are positively embracing the new era of AI at Festo and look forward to our customers reaping the rewards.


Festo www.festo.com/gb/en


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