ProKI-Aachen

  Copyright: © Mario Irrmischer  

Demonstration- and Transfernetwork AI in Production – ProKI-Network

 

Synopsis

Artificial intelligence, in short AI, algorithms are gradually being integrated into industrial production. While the advantages of AI implementation are widely acknowledged, its full-scale adoption in the industry, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, in short SMEs, remains limited. In the ProKI demonstration and transfer centers, efforts are being made to lower the barriers to entry and expedite the transition from cutting-edge scientific research to practical industrial applications.

Challenges

The hesitation of many companies to adopt and implement AI algorithms can be attributed to a shortage of technical resources, as well as a lack of employee expertise, competencies, and acceptance. SMEs are particularly impacted by this reluctance, as they frequently shy away from the substantial costs and investment risks and often lack the required expertise.

Goals

By leveraging AI advancements from universities, companies should become capable of independently implementing AI applications with success in the future. The production industry, a crucial pillar of the German economy, must be specifically targeted.

Methodology

Demonstration and transfer centers are being established and operated at various locations within the Germany-wide ProKI network. These centers showcase the potential of AI utilization through diverse informational resources and provide essential technical knowledge via multiple qualification measures. In collaboration with partner institutes at the Surface Engineering Institute, in short IOT, and Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, in short WZL, the Aachen site emphasizes coating and separation production processes. The Institute for Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, in short IAW, concentrates on human-centered implementation of complementary research in the field of work science, prioritizing the needs of the workers involved.

Funding

The Pro-KI-Aachen project is funded by the BMBF – Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research) in the funding measure "Demonstration and Transfer Network AI in Production (ProKI-Net)" (funding number: 02P22A010) and supervised by the PTKA – Projektträger Karlsruhe (Project Management Agency Karlsruhe).

Project Partners

Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of RWTH Aachen University

Institute for Data Science in Mechanical Engineering

Chair of Surface Engineering/Surface Engineering Institute

Chair for Artificial Intelligence Methodology