Trumpf and SiMa.ai partner on industrial lasers featuring AI

16 Jul 2024

Firms co-developing smart chips and software to improve welding, cutting and marking.

High-tech and industrial laser systems company Trumpf and SiMa.ai, a developer of machine learning systems-on-chip, have agreed to partner on the development of lasers with artificial intelligence.

The goal is to equip several Trumpf laser systems with AI technology. This will include systems for welding, cutting and marking, as well as powder metal 3D printers.

“AI has high strategic relevance for Trumpf. Our expertise in laser processes and manufacturing helps us to develop smart software for production purposes. SiMa.ai is the ideal partner for this next big step towards intelligent industrial solutions,” said Richard Bannmüller, CTO of Trumpf Laser Technology.

Both companies bring their respective expertise to the collaboration: Trumpf, its laser application expertise, and SiMa.ai, its machine learning system on chip (MLSoC) technology.

‘Increase in performance’

SiMa.ai, headquartered in San Jose, California, with a European office in Stuttgart, Germany, employs aroundy 200 employees. The company says that Edge ML applications that run completely on SiMa.ai’s machine learning system on chip “see a tenfold increase in performance and energy efficiency”. At Trumpf, approximately 90 employees worldwide are working on AI, primarily in product development.

“The rapid acceleration of AI innovation is reshaping how humans can leverage emerging technology,” said Harald Kröger, Head of Sales and President of Automotive Business at SiMa.ai. “Our powerful MLSoC and flexible software alongside Trumpf’s highest level of process understanding is enabling AI solutions that drive the industry forward.”

He added, “In combination with Trumpf’s software, SiMa.ai’s one software-centric platform for all edge AI adjusts to any framework, network, model, sensor, or modality, making it possible to reach the next level of AI-assisted laser technology.”

The joint collaboration intends to accelerate complex material processing. The powerful, compact and energy-efficient AI chips will be integrated directly into the laser systems.

The AI-optimized sensor technology can monitor the quality of the laser welding process in real time and evaluate more than 3,000 images per second. In electric car production, for example, the real-time quality inspection during laser welding with the help of AI is expected to replace separate and complex testing procedures.

Moreover, battery manufacturers will be able to increase the quality of their production in real time and reduce the reject rate which could ultimately lower the price of electric cars for consumers.