TRUMPF is using artificial intelligence (AI) to  increase productivity in automotive manufacturing. The high-tech company has  developed an AI solution that checks the quality of components, such as batteries  for electric cars, immediately after laser welding, identifies possible defects and  enables repairs in the laser welding station. "This enables users to reduce their  manufacturing costs because the AI solution can replace other time-consuming  quality inspections," says Martin Stambke, Product Manager- AI Quality Inspection, TRUMPF. The first customers from the automotive  industry are already using the solution in series production and the high-tech  company is now presenting it at its in-house exhibition INTECH. 

The solution takes a picture of the weld seam and AI analyses whether it meets  the specifications defined by the user for the manufacturing process. The sensor  technology generates traceable measurements for the user, enabling transparent  quality control without black-box decisions. For example, if the weld is too narrow  or too wide, the AI notifies the user while the component is still in the laser cell.  The operator can quickly decide if a repair is necessary, thus ensuring the quality  of the weld. This increases first-pass yield, the proportion of components that  meet quality standards on the first pass. "This is particularly important for  manufacturers of batteries for electric cars, for example, who will have fewer  rejects and thus reduce costs," says Stambke. The AI solutionis suitable for many other applications, such as welding body parts, hairpins for electric motors  or contacts for electronic components. 

“Customers get an easy-to-use AI tool that integrates seamlessly with the  TRUMPF system of lasers, sensors and optics," says Stambke. Users can use  the TRUMPF AI without any programming knowledge. All you have to do is train  the artificial intelligence before using it. To do this, the user marks correct and  incorrect welds in the corresponding image material. For the training process,  TRUMPF offers EasyModel AI, a software program that is as easy and intuitive to  use as a smartphone app. Only a few training images are required.