HAHN Digital, digitalization expert for manufacturing companies, part of the HAHN Group, and Erium, technology leader in the field of process optimization through AI in combination with expert knowledge, bundle their competencies and generate a joint offer for analytics use cases in manufacturing processes. While it is initially aimed at the healthcare sector, it can later be expanded to include the automotive, electronics and consumer goods industries.

The approach of HAHN Digital and Erium is based on closed AI-based control loops for the calculation of recommendations for action in the areas of availability and productivity to improve overall system effectiveness (OEE). Since the algorithms describe not only the system but also the manufactured product, predictions about product quality are particularly possible. The Erium approach offers the advantage that even small amounts of data are sufficient to carry out analyses. Using HAHN Digital’s background and understanding of specialist knowledge of experts and engineers, it is integrated into a statistical model that depicts the physical process. In this way, companies receive targeted insights more quickly.

Opportunities for manufacturing companies

Thanks to this partnership, operators of automation solutions from the HAHN Group have the advantage that in future there will be fewer rejects in production, processes will be stabilized and cycle times reduced, as process parameters can be defined more precisely through data analysis. With the help of machine parameters and the detection of anomalies, maintenance activities are triggered at an early stage, which enables targeted maintenance as required in the long term and avoids longer downtimes due to repairs.

The healthcare sector, and later other served segments by the HAHN Group, benefits from the analysis of process and quality parameters, which means that the causes of errors in the injection molding process can be identified more quickly. Using systematic statistical test planning, the start-up time is optimized and the effort involved in setting up, for example, filling processes is reduced. Since closed AI-based control loops for existing processes make process recertification necessary in many cases, it is worth equipping production systems with sensors and analytics tools right from the start. In the long term, the system provides the operator with information about the causes of errors, optimization potential and settings that can be optimized. In cooperation with other HAHN Group subsidiaries, HAHN Digital and Erium are already implementing their first projects together.

“Process analysis and optimization are becoming increasingly important, especially for manufacturing companies. Translating, ‘Smart factory’ into competitive factor for our clients, becomes key to meet the increasing demands related to ‘time to market’ and ‘quality assurance’” explains Uziel Zontag, Managing Director of HAHN Digital. “The connection between our deep understanding in digital manufacturing and Erium’s deep knowledge in advanced analytics will allow us to support our customers on their path with powerful AI. We look forward to this important cooperation.”

Dr. Theo Steininger, founder and CEO of Erium, adds: “The partnership was a logical step for us. The systems of the HAHN Group are ideally suited for the use of machine learning due to the existing technical possibilities. At the same time, with HAHN Digital we have the ideal point of contact in the group, as HAHN Digital is at home in both worlds – both in digitization technology and in automation technology. These are ideal conditions for mutual growth.“