Redefining Manufacturing in a Wartime Situation with Matthew Putman

Manufacturing Happy Hour · 7 Apr 2020 · 41m

AI in practice: 2 real uses of AI described

What this episode covers

Matthew Putman, CEO of Nanotronics, explains how his company combines robotics, 3D imaging, and AI to redefine manufacturing through its Brooklyn Navy Yard smart factory. He details the use of reinforcement learning in additive manufacturing to improve product strength and discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for distributed, localized supply chains and synthetic biology. Putman emphasizes wartime-style leadership, focusing on purpose and proximity, while drawing parallels between jazz improvisation and creative problem-solving in engineering.

AI in practice

Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.

ManufacturingNanotronics reinforcement learning algorithmsstronger and better product

The AI used reinforcement learning to optimize 3D printing parameters, resulting in printed products that were stronger and better than those produced by standard human-designed CAD instructions.

“We were able to show that in 3D printing, we could make a product that was stronger and better than the instructions that you would normally give it … it was the artificial intelligence algorithms, were able to make choices that humans would never think to make.”

Matthew Putman · Hear it at 12:16

ManufacturingNanotronics AI/ML modelsimprove their yields and allow for faster, um, innovation

The company applies its machine learning models to improve yields and accelerate design iterations for customers in diverse verticals, including UVLED crystal growth, water purification, and vegan leather production.

“What's really important to us is that we work with customers and do it in a different, with a different business model than what it's done before in order to improve their yields and allow for faster, um, innovation. So iterations of their designs.”

Matthew Putman · Hear it at 14:27

Mentioned

Companies
Nanotronics, Deep Mind, Concept Systems
Products
Alpha Go
Also
Brooklyn Navy Yard

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