INTELLIGENT AGENTS
Use RIOS AI to easily improve your manufacturing processes MEET RIOSCREATE AN AGENTSimple System
Easy to Deploy
Reduces Labor
Improves Performance
INTELLIGENT AGENTS
Control Processes Like Never Before
A flexible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sensor system which can be deployed at any industrial process step to see and predict objects and events, recommend actions and report on important metrics. It’s AI can be trained to make human-like decisions consistently and quickly.
We are thrilled to partner with Crow Engineering, bringing together our strengths in technology and engineering to innovate within the wood products industry. Our shared vision is to drive a significant leap in industrial efficiency and sustainability through automation and robotics.
KEY CAPABILITIES
Intelligent Agents: How They Work
Intelligent Agents use exceptional visual intelligence capabilities to optimize production processes and reduce situations that can negatively impact production. Here’s how they work.
Detect People and Objects
Intelligent Agents leverage Artificial Intelligence to train models that can detect people and nonuniform objects such as the top sheet of veneer panels. These models can detect simple and complex anomalies.
Detect Events
Intelligent Agents can be trained to detect events that can stop manufacturing processes – reducing downtime and increasing reliability.
Make Predictions
Intelligent Agents can predict issues before they happen – prompting staff to intervene prior to a machine failure. They can prompt staff intervention and stop or slow conveyers.
Recommend Actions
Intelligent Agents can recommend actions such as stopping machinery, performing maintenance and adjusting speed.
Applications for Intelligent Agents
Examples of process steps by industry where Intelligent Agents add value
WOOD PRODUCTS
| Process Step | AI Vision Target(s) | Potential Automation | Value |
| Trim saw outfeed | Skew, double lug | Notification, stop, slow, robotic fix | Better quality outfeed, prevent jams in conveyance to round table/grader… |
| Stick separator | Stick full length without broken ends | Notification, robotic fix | More efficient and effective separation |
PANEL & VENEER
| Location | AI Vision Target(s) | Potential Automation | Value |
| Log Singulation | Doubles | Notify, Stop, Fix | Reduced costs due to doubles |
| Lathe Infeed | Lathe tender | Notify, Stop, Slow, Fix | Eliminate or reduce lathe tendre labor |
| Clipper/Chipper Infeed | Wad management | Slow, Fix | Eliminate downtime at machine centers clearing jams |
| Dryer Infeed | Loader misfeed | Identify, Fix | Eliminate Headcount at Dryer Infeed |
| Dryer Outfeed | Multi sheet stack to grader | Notify, Stop, Fix | Clear doubles, wads off dryer infeed prior to entry into grade line. Eliminate headcount at 90 degree turns. |
| Core/99” Saw Infeed | Load correction | Stop | Prevent Core saws from being loaded incorrectly |
| Sander | Skips, mars | Notify | Identify line management of sander related defects |
| Package Quality | Quality issue detection and action | Notify | Reduced quality labor, increased value |
| Unauthorized entry | Access by people | Notify, Stop | More secure and safe environment, reduced incidents |
| Stock monitoring | stock levels | Notify, lockdown | Better stock control |
LUMBER
| Location | AI Vision Target(s) | Potential Automation | Value |
| Debarker | Double logs | AI supervisor to notify of double log entry | Eliminate downtime/outages tied to debarker damage and log extraction |
| Planar feeder | Crossups, double lugs, boards not even | Notification, stop, robotic fix | More efficient planar operation with higher quality output |
| Unscrambler, Trimmer infeed | Doubles, crossups, boards not even | Notification on double board. Robotic response to reject double. | Better lug fill, eliminate labor on unscrambler outfeed better trim saw performance. |
| Trim saw outfeed | Skew, double lug | Notification, stop, slow, robotic fix | Better quality outfeed, prevent jams in conveyance to round table/grader… |
| Stick separator | Stick full length without broken ends | Notification, robotic fix | More efficient and effective separation |
| Sorter | Hangups | Torpedo board notification | Stopping line in time to address torpedo board. |
| Kiln | Hanging Boards on Package | AI supervisor to stop package entry into CDK kils for packages with handing boards | Eliminates kiln damage, replaces wire based board detection. |
| Stock monitoring | stock levels | Notify, lockdown | Better stock control |
| Unauthorized entry | People entering LOTO space | AI supervisor to issue all stop to PLC. Notification to supervisor | Proactive defence for unauthorized entry. |
OSB / SIDING
| Location | AI Vision Target(s) | Potential Automation | Value |
| Log grappling from pond | Anomalous logs Log grappling quality/incidents | Notify of anomalous logs Grappling guidance Grappling automation | Less downtime, higher quality due to better anomalous log handling |
| Debarker infeed | Anomalous logs Empties/doubles | Notify problems for human intervention Slow/stop line before incident Robotic intervention | Reduced oversight labor Fewer incidents, more uptime, less maintenance Higher quality and more consistent input |
| Forming line | Contamination | Notify operator of potential incident Stop before incident | More uptime, lower maintenance costs due to fewer and less severe incidents |
| Hot press | Jam or default movement of carger | Notify operator Stop before incident | More uptime, lower maintenance costs due to fewer and less severe incidents |
| Plant outfeed | Product quality | Notify operators of quality issues Signal operators/machines earlier in process of issues in real time for action Robotic handling of quality issues | Increased quality and reliability of output due to enhanced feedback Lower costs due to quality issues due to same |
DISTRIBUTION
| Location | AI Vision Target(s) | Potential Automation | Value |
| Moulder | Saw performance, quality of input & output wood material |
Notify operators Stop for maintenance Auto-mark moulding and accounting |
Better preventative saw maintenance, less waste. Less skilled labor needed to manage outfeed |
| Rip Saw | Saw performance, labor performance |
Notify/stop for maintenance Outfeed sortation |
Increased quality and better maintenance. Reduced labor required per board processed. |
| Unauthorized entry | Access by people | Notify, Stop | More secure and safe environment, reduced incidents |
| Stock monitoring | stock levels per storage location | Notify, lockdown, inventory | Better stock control |
FOOD MANUFACTURING
| Process Step | AI Vision Target(s) | Potential Automation | Value |
| Pack to box | Label quality, expiration date, lot code | Notification, stop, slow, robotic fix | Prevent products with damaged labels or missing expiration dates from being shipped to customer |
| Pack to thermoformer | Food product fit into package | Notification, stop, slow, robotic fix | Prevent air leaks that can lead to spoilage of food product |
FULFILLMENT
| Process Step | AI Vision Target(s) | Potential Automation | Value |
| Queing for palletizing | Box integrity | Notification, stop, slow, robotic fix | Prevent damaged goods from being shipped to customer |
| Crate cleaning | Crate integrity inspection | Notification, stop, slow, robotic fix | Prevent damaged crates from being used which could damage product. |
Provide New Metrics
Intelligent Agents provide analytics and reporting back to Mill operations staff to track key metrics for their products. Leveraging computer vision, the agent in this example is counting veneer panels and the number of knots, holes, splits.
KNOTS
HOLES
SPLITS
VENEER
Intelligent Agents for Wood Products
DEFECT DETECTION AT LAYUP INFEED
Intelligent Agents can be used to identify characteristics in wood products, such as knots and splits. In this example, the agent identifies holes, knots, and splits and provides a probability for each event. Plywood mills leverage this information to reject or recycle veneer and report on quality.
NATURAL INTERACTION
Simple Interactions That Control Complex Processes
Using video feeds, operators can open the application and create models instantly. You can identify the objects of interest, detect defects on objects, and identify how objects are handled – all with a point-and-click process that requires no coding or complex training.
DEMOCRATIZING MACHINE LEARNING
AI For Everyone
Intelligent Agents lower the barrier of introducing reliable and effective machine learning. Manufacturers can easily build complex processes using simple, easy-to-use web interfaces. These processes can do everything from control complex robotics movements to identifying objects.
Recent News
Crow Engineering Partners with RIOS to Revolutionize the Wood Products Industry
Crow Engineering is excited to announce our partnership with RIOS to drive innovation, enhance capabilities, and improve efficiency in the wood products industry.
Allen-Bradley PLCs: Revolutionizing Integrated Control Systems
Allen-Bradley PLC stands out as a pioneer and leader in the realm of industrial automation. Technology Transforming Automation Owned by Rockwell Automation, Allen-Bradley is renowned for its extensive range of factory automation equipment, including Programmable Logic...
Why Accurate Capital Cost Estimation Is Important- Infographic
Accurate capital cost estimation is essential not only as an initial phase in project development but also as the foundation for strategic budgeting and financial planning. By offering a detailed projection of anticipated expenses, these estimates ensure that budgets...