Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic CMAAI-Beam Project
Providing expertise in machine learning and real-time process optimization. Developing and integrating the digital process model. Designing the real-time process controller for enhanced efficiency and quality. Ensuring the system’s scalability and robustness for industrial applications.
The Project
Novel laser cutting and welding technology with the possibility of a three-dimensional beam oscillation at several kHz provides superior quality, increased processing speed and energy efficiency. To get the most out of the process there is a need for real-time process monitoring and closed-loop control to continuously optimize the large number of process parameters to
ensure optimized operation. Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic has designed and developed a robust multimodal AI-based low-latency process monitoring system to determine a set of different quality parameters in real-time. Complementing this, our AI-based control system determines the optimized process parameters in real-time based on the information provided by the monitoring system. The motivation behind the AI-Beam project is to revolutionize laser cutting and welding by making these processes quicker and more energy-efficient compared to current industry standards. Our goal is to significantly enhance the productivity and sustainability of these critical manufacturing operations compared to traditional approaches. We are developing a scalable and robust system suitable for diverse industrial laser material processing applications. The AI-Beam project is set to transform the landscape of automated laser cutting and welding. By leveraging advanced AI and real-time monitoring, we aim to achieve unprecedented levels of speed, efficiency, and quality in industrial laser processing.
Project Team
Our dedicated project team includes experts in machine learning, control theory, laser technology, and industrial automation. The team features specialists from Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, renowned for its expertise in software engineering, testing, and Artificial Intelligence, along with laser material processing experts from the Fraunhofer institutes IWS and IOF
Funding Source
The AI-Beam project is funded through an internal applied research program dedicated to advancing manufacturing technologies.
Approach
Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic tasks include:
Data Collection: Gathering real-time data using visual and acoustic sensors to monitor the laser cutting and welding processes.
Algorithm Development: Creating a multi-modal, AI-based quality monitoring system to analyze the collected data.
Process Optimization: Building a digital process model and a real-time process controller to optimize laser power, process speed, beam geometry, and focal point.
Testing and Validation: Conducting rigorous tests to ensure the system meets targeted efficiency and quality improvements.
Conclusion
The AI-Beam project is set to transform the landscape of automated laser cutting and welding. By leveraging advanced AI and real-time monitoring, we aim to achieve unprecedented levels of speed, efficiency, and quality in industrial manufacturing processes.