Engagement central to adoption of AI technologies

Introducing artificial intelligence & machine learning (AI & ML) technologies at tire plants requires close engagement with everyone from process experts to plant managers, according to Mithun Nagabhairava, senior manager, data science & AI, Rockwell Automation.

As a major player in industrial automation & digital transformation for tire plants, Rockwell has gained a “deep understanding” of the industry and its manufacturing processes: establishing solid relationships with operators and managers at facilities worldwide.  

Such collaboration, operational knowledge and experience is of the “utmost importance,” believes Nagabhairava, noting the unique challenges presented by processes such as mixing, extrusion, calendaring, tire-building, curing, and final inspection.

For instance, he notes, “hundreds of material compositions, intricate compound interactions, rheological properties of rubber, and dynamic production conditions can lead to inconsistencies in tire quality.”

“Everything really starts with plants having to meet certain targets: whether it's reducing scrap, meeting production targets, achieving the right first-time quality, or addressing process challenges” Nagabhairava explained in an interview with ERJ.

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