FEATURE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
gdid for EOS. ‘We built a custom architecture, designed to allow for occurring physical effects to be modelled,’ said Trifterer. The architecture makes use of convolution and recurrent processing and, as Trifterer explained, it was ‘designed to be able to capture the observed physical effects in principle’. Following weeks of testing and evaluation,
it became apparent that the trial had been a success. Revealed Trifterer: ‘EOS experts agree that the model is able to faithfully predict complex, non-local properties of the optical tomography image. In essence, this means that the inner workings of the network are able to mimic relevant aspects of the physical process. Therefore, it is appropriate to call it a digital twin of the additive manufacturing process.’
Time is money Returning to AI for laser cutting, MC Machinery, a Mitsubishi subsidiary, has recently released a series of AI-enabled fibre lasers. AI technology is used to monitor the cutting process in real time, with audio and light sensors automatically adjusting parameters to help optimise the machine’s performance. If an incorrect cut is detected, the machine is designed to make the required adjustments to improve or regain the cut. It is also able to optimise the cutting speed in all plates, regardless of plate quality. The new series, known as the GX-F
Advanced series, was designed by Mitsubishi engineers with major Mitsubishi components. The firm says it is one of the only laser
“The AI technology means that the machine is easy to use for operators of all skill levels”
systems in the industry with a single source for service and support. To reduce setup time, the zoom head
delivers flexibility by automatically changing the beam size, shape and focal point for each material, with the ability to process plates with a wide range of thicknesses. Piercing time is reduced by as much as 60 per cent, making it possible to pierce 25mm-thick mild steel in 0.8 seconds. The AI nozzle monitor uses a camera
AI-POWERED LASERS TO REMOVE WEEDS FROM FIELDS
AI-powered laser technology is also being used in industrial agriculture, with a recent project combining partners from eight EU countries to develop technology to damage weed growth, with the goal of replacing chemical and mechanical weed removal methods. The WeLaser project, funded by Horizon 2020, features research institutions, companies, and non- governmental agricultural organisations. They are developing a movable, high-power, thulium-doped fibre laser and scanner, and testing their effectiveness on selected crops over the next three years. The idea is to damage
the growth centre of weeds in a sustainable way, as an alternative to heavy chemicals or manual/mechanical weeding. In order to selectively
target the weeds, scientists at the Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH) are developing an image processing system that uses AI to distinguish them from crops while recognising the position of their growth centre. Target co-ordinates will
then be used to control a robust, multi-row scanner system that directs a laser beam at the growth centre of
10 LASER SYSTEMS EUROPE SUMMER 21
system to monitor nozzle life, and the nozzle changer automatically replaces defective nozzles to support continuous processing. An additional and particularly timely benefit to increased efficiency for the end-user, is the reduced need for operator input. Shane Herendeen, North American sales manager for fabrication at the company, said: ‘Power lies in what a fibre laser can do, not the kilowatt it has. With the manufacturing industry suffering from a shortage of experienced workers, the new fibre lasers were designed to help minimise the need for operator input while maximising quality and productivity. The AI technology means that the machine is easy to use for operators of all skill levels.’ By integrating advanced gas reduction
Carbon Robotics’ autonomous weed elimination robot combines AI and laser technology to identify, target and eliminate weeds
the weeds. For the field, the systems will be installed on an autonomous vehicle. They will be co-ordinated via a smart controller that uses the Internet of Things and cloud computing techniques to manage and deploy agricultural data. The LZH is also
developing concepts to ensure laser safety for everyone involved, such as farmers and machine operators. The partners want to
test the prototype on sugar beet, corn, and winter cereal crops. It is forecasted to be available
at the end of the project in 2023, and then be further developed for commercialisation. Seattle-based Carbon
Robotics has recently unveiled an autonomous weed elimination robot similar to that under development by WeLaser. One of its robots is capable of weeding 15 to 20 acres per day using AI-assisted laser technology, and could replace the need to deploy several hand-weeding crews.
The firm has already sold out of the new systems for 2021.
technology, the new fibre lasers are able to offer more power but use 77 per cent less nitrogen. What’s more, it incorporates augmented reality technology, which allows the display of overhead 3D images of the system without distortion. This, in turn, allows the user to easily
place and nest parts to reduce setup time. Herendeen said: ‘Not only does the GX-F Advanced Series require much less operator input because of its AI technology, it uses less nitrogen to lower operating costs and maximise profitability. This is truly a game-changer for metalworking companies of all sizes.’ The GX-F Advanced series is designed
to be easily integrated with a wide range of automation systems, including material storage, loading, removal and part sorting. Additional features include user-friendly, smartphone-like controls; real-time tracking of electric and assist gas consumption; real time on-site and remote monitoring of the cutting process and remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance. l
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Carbon Robotics
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