Manufacturers are beginning to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to support plant optimization. IoT sensors send data on the vibrations and temperature of machines to the cloud where AI algorithms compare the data to a growing database of Machine signatures. Each machine has its own vibration and temperature signature. Based on this, the system can predict if a machine is going to break before it does. The system can make recommendations on what maintenance is required to prevent unplanned downtime.
Augury is a company that utilizes AI to analyze data from IoT sensors. “Our job is to make production lines more reliable. We offer a full turnkey system for machine health. That includes the connectivity and the data algorithms,” Saar Yoskovitz, CEO of Augury, told Design News.“We use one type of sensor with different technologies, including vibration and temperature. It’s a holistic system for mechanical and electrical equipment such as drives and motors. It examines the health of the hardware using artificial intelligence software. The system covers 80% of the machines in the process industries.”
Part of the value of the system is its ability to communicate with plant personnel. “More than just diagnosing and sending the alert, the system makes sure you act on the alerts. The people on the production line receive plain English descriptions of the problem,” said Yoskovitz. “The alert explains what they need to do to fix the equipment. It also explains how much time the hardware has before it fails. For the more experienced technician, we provide a greater degree of analysis.”
The challenge for data analytics is its ability to manage the complexity of multiple machines. Each machine needs to perform optimally for the production line to run efficiently. “On the production lines, these machines are complex. You may have a motor that is dying, and you need to replace a bearing or add more oil. You may need to align the machine or open or close a valve. With the more complex machines, you need operational context,” said Yoskovitz. “This is where the AI is going. Maybe the equipment is vibrating because the viscosity is too high. Or maybe the raw material is different. The analytical tool helps the advanced engineer pinpoint where the issue is.”
For data analytics to function well is has to connect and share data from disparate systems. “The AI software analyzes the performance of each machine. The humidity outside may change the machine’s behavior.
