Framework for LLM applications in manufacturing

Abstract

In the era of Industry 4.0, the proliferation of data within manufacturing environments has presented both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. This paper introduces a framework that capitalizes on the capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) to revolutionize data integration and decision-making processes in manufacturing systems. Addressing the critical need for efficient data management, our framework streamlines the consolidation, processing, and generation of responses to essential inquiries, thus enhancing manufacturers’ capabilities to extract valuable insights. The focus of this paper is twofold. First to establish a framework for the use of LLM applications in manufacturing settings. Secondly, to provide an overview of the manufacturing connection between data, AI, and chat-bots, while also addressing a few pain points identified from the manufacturing literature. The paper then introduces FILLIS (Factory Integrated Logic and Language Interface System), a Large Language Model assistant, through a compelling case study. FILLIS showcases remarkable versatility, excelling in tasks ranging from elucidating machine operations to language translation. The study underscores FILLIS’s proficiency in handling specific contexts, answering questions from uploaded documents with precision. However, inherent limitations surface in tasks involving mathematical operations, emphasizing the need for external agents in specific scenarios. This pivotal opportunity is explored in the proposed framework as it advocates for integrating external agents alongside LLMs, creating a more versatile and comprehensive assistant tool. The findings of this paper and proposed framework position LLMs as transformative tools for intelligent data processing.