AWARD
Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award Winners 2021

Use of Artificial Intelligence in malfunction analyses

Dürr Systems AG was able to secure the overall victory through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial production facilities. With its DXQanalyze solution, production data can be evaluated at both machine and factory level to identify anomalies and establish correlations across numerous production steps. This can prevent machine downtime and reduce scrap, as demonstrated by the example of large paint shops for automotive manufacturers.

The aim is also to detect previously unknown sources of error in combination with historical data and machine learning and to derive optimization measures for production operations. Dürr Systems AG thus offers one of the first market-ready solutions with AI capable of increasing the overall plant effectiveness of paint shops.

"Collect, evaluate, predict - our digital products aim to increase overall equipment effectiveness, and the DXQanalyze-Product family is an important component in this," says Dr. Jochen Weyrauch, CEO, Dürr. "Using machine learning, the software detects impending wear as well as anomalies and derives suitable measures. Winning this award not only makes us very proud, but at the same time reinforces our vision of a fully digitized paint shop."

Advanced use of AI learning and problem-solving

Haselmeier a medmix Brand won in the Innovate! Category with their technology start-up plus10 that develops a self-learning optimization software in the Medtech and Pharma sphere. The AI machine learning technology allows for greater productivity and efficiency within highly automated production lines.

Standardizing digital twins in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) world

WITTENSTEIN SE won in the Scale! category with their high-growth potential digital twin product that allows WITTENSTEIN products to communicate with each other in the world of IIoT. Because the digital product twin can be integrated worldwide, Wittenstein SE’s digital twin allows machine and plant builders to choose any IIoT platform and gateway. This massively simplifies procurement information and the independence of all players is preserved through the use of open standards. The solution promises tremendous growth potential and can be used in all areas of the manufacturing industry.

Desired business outcomes driven by personalized insights

The winner in the Add Value! category is Robert Bosch’s digital twin, which lets machines communicate with plant workers. The innovation identifies hidden inefficiencies and disruptions, enabling workers to identify manufacturing bottlenecks and eliminate constraints through digital interventions. Running on Microsoft Azure, the solution simplifies complex automation for customers by collecting machine-generated data and helping workers run their production environment in a more cost-efficient and/or optimal way. This creates an ecosystem where every individual in the company is empowered to make data-driven business decisions.

Creating a visionary platform with synergies for the entire process chain

BMW won in the Envision! category for their visionary innovation - the BMW Edge Ecosystem allows non-IT people in production to participate in the latest state-of-the-art technologies (containers, edge, cloud computing, etc.) through the conversion of any computer into compatible edge devices. This offers plant employees the possibility to install, configure and maintain prefabricated applications and algorithms on decentralized production-related edge devices in self-service. This can be done without specific IT knowledge via a self-service portal, enabling production employees to become active digitalizers. This then reduces the effort required in asset management per device from two hours per year to 20 minutes per year.

This product is currently being used internally at BMW, but external partners and suppliers will also be able to integrate it into their software and hardware easily and without adjustments

Setting the standard for automated energy and emissions reduction

As the winner of the newly instated Sustainability! category, Wienerberger received this award for implementing process to optimize energy consumption during energy-intensive production processes for its 130 plants and thereby setting a new standard for Europe.

Wienerberger AG has taken on a pioneering role in the construction industry and deployed data analytics solutions as quickly as possible and in as many plants as possible. The project has one goal in mind: to save energy and reduce emissions through data-driven optimization of parameter settings while ensuring quality.