PTC has been incorporating artificial intelligence in its portfolio of manufacturing software solutions for over a decade. Users have long been able to reap the benefits of machine learning and generative AI in solutions like ThingWorx and ServiceMax.
However, many manufacturers have found implementing AI difficult due to disparate data sources and compliance issues. Can those problems be solved?
In this article, we’ll look at how PTC adds value to its suite of products by rolling out a range of AI-powered features. Let’s get started.
Where PTC excels
PTC is resolute that it doesn’t want to introduce AI features just for its own sake. Any feature has to address a real problem that manufacturers want to solve. So far, this has been applied in solutions like ThingWorx, where machine learning capabilities enable better predictive maintenance and issue analysis in the factory.
While AI is clearly the hottest topic in tech, and tech companies are racing to incorporate AI into their solutions, PTC is content to get it right rather than be first. For example, PTC created an AI Governance Program in 2023 to monitor and guide the use of AI in the company, regulating how employees use AI as well as how it fits into the product range. It’s great peace of mind for manufacturers who want to use AI in an ethical and compliant way.
AI across the product lifecycle
The great thing about AI is that it can deliver value across the entire lifecycle of a product, from engineering to manufacturing to service, speeding up time-to-market, lowering costs and freeing up time for the workforce. Let’s look at each stage of the lifecycle.
Engineering
AI is exceptionally powerful for engineers who want to work faster and create high-quality products. PTC understands this and is rolling out a wide range of capabilities:
- Codebeamer incorporates generative AI to analyse requirements against INCOSE standards and scan external documents to automate requirements
- PLM software uses AI to assess the standard of design review documents and quickly search for parts that can be reused
- Creo incorporates generative design to support designers with tips, training and troubleshooting
Manufacturing
In manufacturing, AI has the capability to make companies more efficient and create time for the workforce. Examples at PTC include:
- Integrating PLM, ERP and MES systems to unlock valuable opportunities. When data can flow between systems, you can do more with benchmarking, creating specifications, translating content and more
- Delivering AI-powered capabilities through AR and IoT, helping operators understand new tooling, products and machines in real time
- Using AR for training and verification purposes
Service
At the post-production stage, AI can help with parts management, reducing costs and more:
- AI aids the flow of data between systems to optimise the supply chain, helping to anticipate demand spikes or smooth disruptions
- Insights delivered by AI on the lifecycle, carbon footprint of the supply chain and predictive failures can boost sustainability
- AI-powered chatbots can make customer service faster while helping technicians find the answers they need
Looking to the future
While there are already significant opportunities to get value from AI in manufacturing, there are even more benefits on the horizon. PTC plans to roll out even more innovative and responsible AI projects in the future.
From further generative AI features in products to more integrations across the digital thread, from combining AI models to incorporating AI-powered chat and audio into the manufacturing process, there’s rarely been a more exciting time to be in manufacturing.
Using AI responsibly will always be key, with ethics and data security paramount. PTC also wants to build a community of AI champions who can work together to ensure this massive shift takes everyone along the right path.
To find out more, visit www.concurrent-engineering.co.uk/augmented-reality.