Transforming with Industrial Maintenance

Traditionally, ‘Industrial Maintenance’ refers to processes used to reduce breakdowns or increase uptime. This includes delivering high-standard upkeep to allow equipment to function consistently and reliably. But this definition is now undergoing an amendment. Areas within Industrial Maintenance are undergoing a transformation. A read on...

- Sudhir Gurtoo

Around six decades ago, at an academic conference, John McCarthy coined the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’, and mankind has since been on a quest to discover new possibilities for what computer software can do. Now, around 65 years later, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in almost everything that surrounds us; it is embedded into the very existence of human life. To speak in a layman’s language, AI can be understood as a computer’s ability to comprehend and execute complex tasks or a set of tasks that are usually carried out by humans; hence, require human-brain-like cognitive functionality. This is made possible by programming software to identify and replicate the thinking patterns of human beings and also with the help of huge data; it can then be processed in numerous combinations to solve new problems or execute complex tasks.

Technologies fostering Industrial Maintenance transformation

We, at Leadec, are initiating a transformation. One that may be faster to market is what may be termed Remote Industrial Maintenance. This concept was unheard of earlier. But with new technology allowing us to e-travel, wearing our virtual headgear, the diagnostic skills can be much better shared across larger geographical horizons. In the past or even today, skills were kept localised, typically at a point close to the machine location. This will soon change! As an example, we can now have two PLC/robot programmers, sitting in our Pune office, but accessible to our 3000-strong workforce, working at 40 industrial sites, and geographically spread across India.