ITRI's AI-Driven Optimization for Precision Manufacturing has won a 2023 R&D 100 Award! This AI-powered manufacturing software is designed to improve the accuracy of machine tools for high-precision manufacturing, thus reducing production errors, time, and costs.

High-precision machining is a manufacturing process using advanced tools, machinery, and control techniques to achieve highly accurate and precise machining of workpieces at the micron or even submicron scale. Common applications for high-precision machining include the automotive industry, semiconductor fabrication, precision instruments, and optical components.

To reach micron-scale machining accuracy is quite challenging; many factors, such as stability, accuracy, processed materials, and the operating capabilities of the machine tools have direct impacts on product quality. Before the introduction of this technology, a manufacturer could only count on skilled and experienced technicians to try and minimize errors, but errors still occurred, which increased the costs and time to meet the requirements.

This innovation has three features:

1. A built-in machining feature recognition function, advanced sensor monitoring technology, image recognition and analysis technology, and an AI control parameter optimization learning module to optimize the process.

2. The software enables high-precision, accurate, and customized machining processes without the need for precise temperature control from the process environment. Unlike manual adjustment, which takes at least 14 days, this software can be rapidly adjusted and calibrated within just 30 minutes.

3. It achieves high-precision machining even with equipment that lacks professional calibration capabilities.