nextLAP’s AI Production-Process-Platform IP/1 Used Worldwide by Automotive and Other Manufacturers

“Our attendance at the Automotive Logistics Global Conference underlines our international outlook – it shows that factories have similar requirements, whether for German manufacturers or across the pond”

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nextLAP will present its SmartRack and pickEXPLORER solutions at the Conference. Both solutions are integrated into the in-house developed cloud-based AI Production-Process-Platform IP/1. The platform collects process parameters from production and logistics – for example, when and where a part was installed, installation rates or the current location of a truck that is delivering parts to the factory. With the help of real-time data and existing empirical values, which are pooled on the platform and put into context, nextLAP develops algorithms that can make autonomous decisions for improvement and feed them back into the process. In line with nextLAP’s predictive process control philosophy, the Production-Process-Platform instantly recognises anomalies, autonomously identifies potential problem-solving scenarios and takes countermeasures before the fault can actually occur.

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The platform uses relevant data sources to create a digital real-time overview of the production and logistics processes and thus serves as the basis for the planning, development, management and monitoring of processes. It integrates both IIoT hardware developed by nextLAP itself and technologies from third parties such as scanners or data glasses.

SmartRack and pickEXPLORER for optimising material flows build on the IP/1 AI platform. SmartRack is used for digitising and automating all types of order-picking processes and includes IIoT buttons with LED display, controller and a screen or tablet. The storage racks and areas are equipped with these IIoT components and connected to the IP/1 platform.

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The data collected in SmartRack from order-picking processes (part number, shaft, number of picks…) establishes the core for pickEXPLORER, a solution for layout-based planning and the analysis of intralogistic areas. pickEXPLORER optimises routes, throughput times and ergonomics, resulting in process cost savings of up to 50 per cent.

“With their AI technologies, our solutions contribute to the implementation of self-optimised factories. They are employed by many companies, including leading international automotive OEMS. Using SmartRack, a leading German automotive manufacturer was able to significantly improve the quality of its order-picking process, achieving almost zero-defect order picking. This resulted in order picking cost savings of 30 per cent”, explains André Ziemke, Managing Director of nextLAP Inc. “Our attendance at the Automotive Logistics Global Conference underlines our international outlook – it shows that factories have similar requirements, whether for German manufacturers or across the pond”.