Automation and AI application in SME

Introduction and Background: The current industrial landscape grapples with inflexible processes, limited innovation, and declining profit margins, necessitating a transformative shift. Industry 4.0 emerges as a beacon of change, offering advanced solutions such as big data analysis, autonomous robots, and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, the widespread adoption of these technologies, especially among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), faces hurdles like technical expertise gaps and organizational complexities. Purpose of the Project: In response to the challenges faced by SMEs, this project is dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize automation and manufacturing processes.

Start date: 2023-06-15

End date: 2025-06-15

The goal is twofold:

to comprehend the unique challenges and opportunities for AI-enabled solutions in automation, sourcing, and product development within SMEs, and to design, test, and validate tailored AI solutions in collaboration with consortium companies.

Special Industry Challenges (SIC):

The project zeroes in on three high-level challenges crucial to SMEs:

Automation (SIC1):

a. Predictive Maintenance and Quality Control: Exploring how AI can be employed for predictive maintenance and quality control, enhancing efficiency.

b. Optimized Implementation: Investigating AI's role in optimizing production unit utilization, specifically focusing on computer numerical control (CNC) through load balancing.

Sourcing (SIC2):

a. Supply and Demand Predictions: Utilizing AI to predict variations in supply and demand, contributing to a more resilient sourcing strategy.

b. Supply Chain Optimization: Investigating AI applications for planning, routing, shipment size determination, and network analysis to predict lead times for a sustainable supply chain.

Product Development (SIC3):

a. Enhancing Products: Examining how AI can be utilized to enhance and streamline the product development processes.

b. Incorporating AI in Products and Services: Exploring strategies for SMEs to integrate AI applications effectively into their products and services.