IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE A LUXURY OR A NECESSITY?
In today’s advancing technological landscape, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) is not just an innovation but a necessity. As a top injection molding company, we understand how AI can best help us serve our customers in the energy, healthcare, and construction sectors. Here’s how we’re leveraging AI to execute our overall strategy.
Elevating Industry Standards with Artificial Intelligence
AI-powered automation tools enable us to analyze and monitor manufacturing processes with unprecedented accuracy. From start to finish, machine learning helps us find and fix small flaws, making sure our products meet the high standards our industry clients expect.
This is especially critical in the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) process. We use AI and algorithms to conduct mold flow analysis during this process. Our engineers can use technology to see how materials move inside the tool, identifying issues like blockages, turbulence, or trapped gas ignitions.
At Houston Plastic Products, we’ve experienced first-hand how to use OpenAI to quickly estimate the mass of parts for projects without 3D modeling. By providing the overall dimensions and the density of the material, OpenAI can quickly calculate the volume and convert it to mass.This is a significant improvement from the dozens of spreadsheets previously used to calculate the same specs, and this method allows us to speed up our workflow and identify errors more efficiently than before.
Using Artificial Intelligence To Optimize Supply Chains
AI enhances our manufacturing process and plays a key role in streamlining our supply chain. Intelligent forecasting models allow us to predict demand, manage inventory, and optimize delivery schedules. This is crucial to keep materials moving smoothly and deliver on time to our energy, healthcare, and construction clients.
The next step is self-driving delivery vehicles. We expect to implement AVs into our delivery fleet by 2028.
Can Artificial Intelligence Improve Energy Performance?
In the energy-intensive field of injection molding, AI has been instrumental in reducing energy consumption. By constantly analyzing machine performance, AI helps fine-tune the equipment optimally. This not only cuts costs but also aligns with our commitment to sustainability.
Further, we have seen great success in our overall energy consumption. Year over year, we are seeing 16% reductions in electric consumption. We also participate in the EPA’s Energy Star program to track and benchmark energy performance against ourselves and our peers.
A Future for Artificial Intelligence in Research & Development
Our collaboration with the healthcare and construction sectors has required continuous innovation. Using AI, we can create advanced solutions, from precisely developing medical parts to making construction products that resist fire.
How Can Leaders Benefit From Artificial Intelligence?
AI empowers our leadership team with actionable insights drawn from vast data points. From real-time production metrics to long-term market analysis, intelligent data processing supports our strategic planning and execution.
Using AI helps us stay updated with technology and improve every part of our business, ensuring the best plastics manufacturing services. Integrating AI into our daily operations has made us more agile, efficient, and customer-centered. While we don't foresee AI overtaking humans, we’ve found that it certainly aids us in our tasks.
Our strategy is clear, and with the assistance of AI, we continue to reinforce our commitment to quality and innovation. As we face upcoming challenges and opportunities, we will continue to aim for excellence, guided by the power of artificial intelligence.
Kelly Denzler
Andrew Wooley
Jessica Dart