EE Times Current · 18 Sept 2023 · 27m
Nitin Dahad interviews executives from Lam Research, Micron, and Wolfspeed at the MES & Industry 4.0 Summit in Porto, Portugal. David Freed of Lam Research discusses 'equipment intelligence' and the 'semi-verse,' explaining how combining physical simulation with AI reduces process engineering time by 50% compared to human-only or AI-only approaches. Didier Chavet of Micron outlines their 'Industry 5.0' strategy, leveraging 470,000 sensors and predictive-to-prescriptive analytics to optimize operations across 13 factories. Missy Stegal and Priya Amakar of Wolfspeed detail the challenges of ramping their first fully automated 200mm silicon carbide fab and scaling to new sites in New York and Germany.
Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.
Engineering & simulationLAM Research SemiVerse solutions50% reduction in time to solution
LAM Research combined physical simulation with machine learning to optimize semiconductor process engineering, reducing the time to solution by 50% compared to using senior engineers alone.
“the joint, the collaboration between human and AI was able to basically reduce time to solution by about 50% in almost every case when we use them together correctly.”
Speaker 3 · Hear it at 6:30
Manufacturinganalytical models470,000 sensors across 30 factories
Micron runs analytical models on sensor data from 4.7 million sensors to provide actionable events for process control, such as predicting quality compromises and triggering holds on lots.
“all that is really being provided to multiple analytical models that could run on site or in the cloud. And in return, they will provide actionable events where you may have to put a lot on hold or a machine on hold…”
Speaker 4 · Hear it at 10:44
Manufacturing
Micron uses generative AI to summarize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) into task checklists for operators, which can then be rendered via augmented reality capabilities.
“you take an SOP. You take a standard operating procedures, you run the content, the content through generative AI, and it will, it will provide you with a very nice summarize checklist of task for the operator…”
Speaker 4 · Hear it at 16:29
large enterprises
Other shows on the same ground, closest first.
Host Ryan Prosser interviews five companies at WESTEC 2023, including Pico MES, Renishaw, Faro, Lindy, Fastems, and Fuji Automation, discussing their approaches to smart manufacturing. Pico’s Brian explains digitizing work instructions and tool integration, while Renishaw’s Brandon details overcoming legacy equipment connectivity. Fastems’ Robert highlights their MMS software for robot cell management and predictive scheduling, and Fuji’s Eric discusses Japanese automation for exotic alloys.
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Annie Lu, co-founder and CEO of Laminar, explains how her company uses process-aware AI and proprietary sensors to optimize process manufacturing, specifically targeting Clean-in-Place (CIP) and changeover inefficiencies. She details how Laminar overcame early dismissal by legacy industry scientists by proving the technology's viability directly with major customers like Anheuser-Busch InBev and Coca-Cola. Lu argues that manufacturers must move beyond 'pilot purgatory' by designing for scale from the start, focusing on tangible ROI and change management to drive productivity and sustainability across entire factory footprints.
Avner Ben-Bassat, President and CEO of Plataine, discusses the current landscape of Industry 4.0 and the evolution of smart factories. He explains how Plataine uses AI and IoT data from ERP, MES, and machine sensors to provide digital assistance for production scheduling, materials optimization, and tooling maintenance. Ben-Bassat highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated supply chain complexities, forcing manufacturers to move from reactive operations to predictive, self-optimizing systems. He emphasizes the shift from 'proof of concept' to 'proof of value' to demonstrate tangible ROI and throughput improvements to stakeholders.
Host Chris Luecke interviews economists and industry leaders at the A3 Business Forum about the 2026 automation outlook. Economist Alex Chausovsky argues that manufacturing is transitioning from uncertainty to complexity, urging companies to rely on hard CapEx data rather than sentiment. Bob Little of Novanta and Alex Shikany of A3 discuss the $1+ trillion investment boom in US manufacturing and the critical role of smart automation in addressing labor shortages. Faye Goldstein of Barden and Stu Shepherd of Shepherd Solutions explore practical AI implementation in sales and the rigorous safety standards developed through theme park robotics.
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