CanadianInnovator 19
A Continuous Cycle of Improvement Eigen Innovations’ AI-driven systems optimize quality control and cycle times for automotive, paper manufacturers. By Treena Hein
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ince the advent of manufacturing automation, machine operators and plant managers have dreamed of pinpointing the optimal settings that consistently produced quality end products at the fastest rate. Although better ways of examining end product quality have come along over the years, it’s been a long and frustrating shot in the dark, for the most part. That’s partly due to the increasing complexity of manufacturing processes. Additional factors affecting product end quality have come into play; subtle differences in raw materials, more sophisticated levels of automation and even ambient plant temperature can all throw
quality off optimum. But it’s mostly because there’s been no way to collectively analyze all the factors that affect quality and then tie them meaningfully back to machine settings. According to Scott Everett, CEO of Eigen Innovations, those days of shooting in the dark are over. His New Brunswick-based automation firm specializes in designing AI-driven quality control systems for two key sectors: Paper manufacturing and injection molding for Tier 1 automotive parts manufacturers. Eigen also serves customers in plastics joining and welding, die casting, sheet metal production and adhesive dispensing.
While all very different sectors, each of those customers’ manufacturing processes can be optimized through a combination of high-resolution imaging, thermographic data and AI algorithms to reduce waste, increase cycle speeds and magnify efficiencies. “We adapt our platform, working closely with each customer, so that it is configured to enable continuous improvement,” Everett explains. “The first step is to identify all the data that affects end quality. We then put Eigen hardware in place for continuous realtime data collection and ongoing analysis of the manufacturing process, which always uncovers brand new insights. Patented AI Prediction Model Eigen accessible through multiple devices Eigen Cameras (Thermal and Optical)
Multiple stakeholders exploring and sharing insights from Eigen
Eigen Smart Module (ESM)
Eigen HMI (Human Machine Interface)
Factory Operator monitoring Real Time data
PLC and Sensor Data Eigen Camera Data Eigen ESM to Cloud Communication Channel Eigen Insights to User
Eigen’s patented AI prediction model, running on the Eigen Smart Module edge device, processes data from PLCs, robotics and sensors, including optical and thermal cameras, to analyze and suggest optimal machine settings for maximal quality and cycle times. www.design-engineering.com March/April | 2020
