Product lifecycle management becomes a learning system
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into product lifecycle management (PLM) marks a turning point: while PLM systems were previously primarily used for structured data linking and management, AI gives them proactive and collaborative capabilities. The "digital thread" - the digital thread that runs through all processes - is thus becoming the heart of modern product development and manufacturing.
"PLM and AI form a symbiotic partnership in which both technologies reinforce each other. PLM provides the data and links it together. It is therefore essentially the basis for the use of AI. This is then able to evaluate and interpret the data," says Jens Rollenmüller, Regional Vice President at Aras. According to the digitalization expert, the potential of AI in the industrial environment can only be fully exploited by networking the most diverse areas along the product life cycle.
As a constantly updated digital image of the physical product, the 'digital thread' provides the necessary information for analysis and forms the basis for decisions. This development influences the entire production process - from manufacturing and design through to recycling. Rollenmüller: "With the help of innovative AI technologies, a new generation of adaptive, self-learning and proactive PLM systems is being created that will enable companies to act more flexibly and efficiently."
The digital twin becomes an active advisor
The continuous input of data is important for a learning PLM system. This includes analyzing production data, checking supplier status, evaluating customer feedback and even comments on social media platforms can provide important information. The results flow into development or production processes as well as into precise sales forecasts. From the sum of the analyzed data, the software makes intelligent optimization suggestions and helps to place new products on the market in a targeted manner.
The digital twin accompanies the real product throughout its entire life cycle. It continuously collects data from both production and use by the customer and forwards the information to the underlying PLM or AI for analysis. The insights gained are automatically incorporated into new product generations. The result: faster development, lower costs, higher quality and better adaptation to customer requirements.
"With the Digital Thread, AI can track customer needs in real time and adapt product development accordingly. This makes hyper-personalization possible. Products adapt to individual needs almost in real time," says digitalization expert Rollenmüller.
The AI knows what makes the company tick
One example of the wide range of applications for AI-supported application systems is their use at marine specialist thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). There, internal processes are analyzed with software support with the aim of creating a digital image of the entire company. Dr. Kira Giesecke, Head of Value Chain Strategy at TKMS: "The possibilities we now have with Aras Innovator enable us to network information. Among other things, this allows us to teach AI what makes our company tick."
Source: www.aras.com
