The newly developed technology enables DKS to significantly speed up crucial quality controls by digitizing manual labor.
HACARUS INC, the leading provider of big insights from small data, today announced the completion of a successful deployment of its novel AI technology for carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC) inspections with DKS.
To help DKS achieve digital transformation (DX) objectives a jointly developed inspection solution, that combines the use of sensors (near-infrared cameras) and artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the progress of the CMC manufacturing process was created – the new solution is able to increase the inspection speed up to sixfold.
“I believe that the development of this measurement technology will improve productivity in the workplace and ensure a stable supply of products, and that this DX promotion project has led to results that will have a significant impact on the company and the manufacturing site. CMC is a plant-derived material that is environmentally friendly, and the international community is increasingly interested in CMC as a material necessary for the creation of a sustainable society. We will continue to develop products that bring out the best of CMC and contribute to the nation and society through industry.”
Said Daido Tashiro, Manager of the Specialty Products Office, Manufacturing Department, DKS’s Ohgata Plant.
DKS manufactures CMC from cellulose, which is used in a wide range of applications from lithium-ion batteries to high-grade fish feed. In the manufacturing process, it is essential to adjust the moisture content, and the appropriate distribution. Conventional inspections had previously been done by manual labour – the new approach automates these inspections. An added benefit is that the new tool captures the expertise of seasoned exports and reduces bias with the introduction of standardized scales and measurement values.
“Image analysis using AI is one of the fields in which HACARUS excels. With our unique experience and technological capabilities, we help turn human knowledge into digital assets. We will continue to work on solving issues related to productivity improvement and DX promotion in the inspection domain of various manufacturing industries.”
Said HACARUS CEO & Founder, Kenshin Fujiwara.
The new approach is expected to reduce inspection labor and training costs by about 50% over the next 2-3 years. Furthermore, by reducing the time required, it is possible to increase the number of stations, reducing conventional work load, and promoting more efficient production.
About DKS
Corporate name: DKS Co. Ltd.
Start of business: 1909
Headquarters: 5 Ogawaracho, Kisshoin, Minamiku, Kyoto 601-8391
Description of business: Production and sales of surfactants, other industrial chemicals and life sciences-related products e.g. health food products
Visit https://www.dks-web.co.jp/ to learn more.
About HACARUS
HACARUS INC. provides big insights from small data and has since its founding in 2014 supplied solutions in 100+ AI projects across the Medical and Manufacturing fields. Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, and backed by Osaka Gas and Miyako Capital (Kyoto University) among others, its technology enables humans to make better, faster, and more reliable decisions, based on data-driven insights. HACARUS’ proprietary AI engine is built using Sparse Modeling, a method that understands data like a human would – by its unique key features and is far more resource, time, and energy-efficient when compared to Deep Learning. To learn more, visit https://hacarus.com
