At the virtual Hannover Messe in Germany in April, Bosch celebrated “10 years of Industry 4.0” by presenting its experimental implementation of a new universal AI solution for manufacturing. This new AI-based system was developed from the Bosch Center of Artificial Intelligence for anomalies and malfunction detection in production lines at an early stage.This is a data-driven approach that aims to improve the quality of production.
For the data collection, processing, and analysis, Bosch uses Nexeed Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The collected data comes from various machine sensors and cameras, and after being preprocessed, it is used as an input to AI algorithms for anomaly and malfunction detection. Nexeed Industry 4.0 software can also be used for data visualization and for the recommendation of the necessary actionsto the maintenance staff in order toensure the industrial system’s proper operation.This can be achieved by custom-configured dashboards that present relevant data to human managers and operators. With this AI solution, one of Bosch’s plants was able to save up to €2 million/yr by identifying and eliminating disruptions.
In addition, the company introduced the first commercial AI product called the “Balancing Energy Network,” where it is an energy-management system that employs intelligent software to control and optimize energy flows in factories.This product is on testing proceedings on 10 Bosch plants worldwide.
Another newly presented products were Rexroth’s connected hydraulic pumps, drivers, and valves. This new industrial equipment offers open interfaces for Bluetooth and IO-Link, so plant personnel (equipped with a suitable app) can access components and change parameters using a smartphone—independent of the machine controller.
The aforementioned Industry 4.0-related products can be the “quiver” of every industry in this new generation of manufacturing.