JDSC Develops AI to Support Maintenance at LIXIL Plants

JDSC Corporation  is pleased to announce that it has received an order from LIXIL Corporation’s interior manufacturing base, Fukushima LIXIL Manufacturing Co., Ltd. to develop an equipment maintenance support AI algorithm to realize an efficient maintenance plan for factory equipment, and has completed implementation at the LIXIL Sukagawa Factory. This initiative will be carried out using the LIXIL Sukagawa Factory as a model, with consideration given to introducing it to all factories in the future.

JDSC will support LIXIL’s data-driven smart factory transformation.

In the manufacturing industry, the stable operation of factory equipment is extremely important from the perspective of maintaining quality and ensuring the safety of employees, and regular maintenance is essential to achieve this. However, regular maintenance can result in equipment suspension, increased work hours, and a certain amount of work and costs even when there are no abnormalities.

JDSC utilized its AI and data science knowledge to classify equipment data from over 100 units of 26 lines at the LIXIL Sukagawa Factory by cause, such as air cylinders, wiring, and air valves, and analyzed production maintenance and equipment maintenance at the factory and line during the learning period to develop a prediction model for the probability of malfunctions using a machine learning approach. The developed model was incorporated into the LIXIL Sukagawa Factory’s system, and on-site staff can enjoy the latest prediction results by updating the data.

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This initiative is the first step in a shift from traditional facility management that relies on the experience of personnel to automation and efficiency using the output results of machine learning and AI. We will strive to further improve accuracy by expanding the scope of target facilities and introducing more detailed operating history information.

Kazuhiko Aoki, Plant Manager of the LIXIL Sukagawa Plant, said the following:

“By incorporating JDSC’s solid knowledge and technology in AI and data utilization, we will strongly promote digital transformation and provide high-quality products with world-leading technology and innovation based on the manufacturing tradition of the Sukagawa Plant.”

JDSC will continue to use its accumulated data science knowledge to promote problem-solving across industry, academia, government, and other sectors by implementing cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, and mathematical optimization in society, thereby contributing to the upgrading of Japan.

SOURCE: PRTimes