AI is Necessary for Compliance Down to Component Level

1. Unraveling the complexity of component-level compliance

We don’t have to tell you that compliance regulations in your sector are very specific right down to the component level. Compliance encompasses a multitude of parameters, including:

• Material composition to accept or reject raw or in-process materials as well as final products
• Safety standards based on registered processes filed with regulatory agencies
• Environmental impact related to improper processes
• Certifications and more

As a result, monitoring and verifying compliance for each component can be a time-consuming and error-prone task. It’s possible your team is using outdated manual methods dealing with level upon level of components. Consequently, you need a system that automates the process so you don’t miss a thing.

Fortunately, AI technologies automate this process. So, you can analyze vast amounts of data and receive real-time insights to ensure compliance with industry-related regulations.

2. Increase efficiency and accuracy

If you are dealing with COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) component specifications as a manufacturer publishing data sheets for engineers, you have a responsibility to publish, monitor, and control your product data. At the same time, this level of compliance applies if you are a team of engineers publishing custom component specifications.

Usually, these have all the information necessary for suppliers. For example, you’re still responsible even if you are a contract manufacturer juggling sets of documentation specifications to build your products

Leveraging AI for component-level compliance enables you to analyze data from multiple sources, including suppliers, regulatory databases, and industry standards — and vice versa. As a result, you can assess compliance in real time when processing component information.

AI automates the monitoring process, eliminating human error and enabling your team to increase accuracy.

You won’t have to contend with manual corrections or the ongoing risk of penalties when you improve accuracy through automation.

3. Detect compliance breaches early on

AI-based PIM software proactively detects compliance issues at the component level enabling your team to identify potential risks before they escalate. AI works in real time, continuously monitoring data streams. It can compare the streams against established compliance parameters and use algorithms to flag non-compliant components quickly. As a result, you can take immediate corrective action.

You are dealing with massive quantities of data that can relate to the following:

• Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components
• Customized components
• Sheet metal parts
• Printed circuit board assemblies
• Machined parts
• Plastic parts
• Molded/cast part
• 3D printed parts
• Soft or firmware

Each of these components comes with separate, distinct documentation that must be collected, stored, reviewed, and monitored if you wish to remain compliant. A PIM with AI capabilities enables your team to manage information for all elements of each component to ensure accuracy across all departments as well as all external stakeholders.

4. Efficient supply chain management

Your industry’s supply chain relies on a vast network of suppliers and vendors, creating a highly complex ecosystem where large quantities of information are shared. Your organization can implement AI enabling you to integrate automated compliance monitoring into your supply chain management systems to ensure compliance.

You can leverage AI-driven analytics and track the compliance status of components across the entire supply chain.

The intricacies of compliance are beyond complicated, right down to the tools enabled for specific steps in the manufacturing process. For example, crimp pins require special tooling and must be installed using tools that ensure the product is reliable and safe.

Although it might be possible to get similar results using pliers, compliance requires using a specified calibrated crimp tool. Checks and balances for the manufacturing process for this specific piece need to provide documentation that this process was followed to a tee.

Conclusion

To further unravel the complexity of components, custom-machined parts tend to be pervasive across various industries. They work best when a CAD STEP file automates the programming to build the part to ensure your end product is compliant with industry standards. Documenting and maintaining the CAD STEP file is easier with the help of an AI-capable PIM.

So regardless of where your organization fits into the supply chain, efficient management relies on automation and systems like PIM-leveraging AI. When managing hundreds or even thousands of component-level parts, it is impossible to use manual processes to ensure compliance at every stage of supply chain management.

AI is powering the way across multiple sectors where managing complex data right down to the component level is a must for compliance.