IT in Manufacturing


Artificial intelligence for plant optimisation and control

August 2023 IT in Manufacturing

Digitalisation and artificial intelligence have become a part of our lives, both personally and in our work environment. Meanwhile, economic pressures and dwindling global resources have added to the financial strain across all industries. Resource shortages and cost cutting are putting severe strain on employees, and it might seem like an endless battle to increase productivity. The solution is simple, turn to technology.

Artificial intelligence in process control and optimisation is not a new technology, and has proven itself in numerous industries and applications. The optimisation and control solutions developed by OEMs such as Loesche are a game changer.

Originally specialising in the design and manufacture of vertical roller mills, LOESCHE has been in business for over 100 years. The company now offers digital packages to specifically address skill shortages, energy savings, and increased production, while utilising the client’s current equipment, irrespective of the vendor.

A real-time optimiser

LOESCHE’s aixProM RealTime Optimiser is a digital solution for improving your process. It dynamically adjusts and optimises processes in real time based on changing conditions and constraints; analyses real-time data from sensors and control systems; and makes adjustments to optimise the performance, efficiency and output of your process. It uses a combination of deep learning and artificial intelligence, first principle engineering models, real-time computational fluid dynamics (CFD), flowsheet models and smart sensors.

AixProM has been installed in a wide range of industries worldwide and can adapt to your specific application to optimise your process, guide your operator, and take control of your process via non-intrusive software using German engineered algorithms and processing of big data. There are different service levels from low-threshold data analytics to soft sensor implementation, to full process control according to the customer’s requirements.

Janie Scholtz, digital sales manager for LOESCHE South Africa says: “The goal of AixProM is to reduce the energy consumption of your current equipment, and increase productivity while keeping your plant performing optimally. You can compare it to having your most knowledgeable and experienced operator sitting unintrusively in your plant as a mentor, advising on all production goals and guiding your operators 24/7. There is no annual or sick leave. If your operator needs a break or leaves, just turn on auto-pilot.”


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