Manufacturing Prediction Models for Cost, Time, and Process Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current manufacturing processes lack reliable and objective tools for predicting production aspects such as time, method, and cost, leading to inaccurate and inconsistent estimates due to reliance on human experience.

Innovation Solution

A predictive system using regression machine learning models trained with manufacturing transaction data from a supply chain, combined with a multi-objective optimization model, to generate accurate and consistent predictions for manufacturing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If human experience is used to predict manufacturing appraisals, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but accuracy and consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of human estimation with an automated machine learning system. Regression models process manufacturing transaction data to generate predictions, eliminating the need for human estimators while improving accuracy and consistency of manufacturing appraisals including time, cost, and method predictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces machine learning models as an intermediary between raw manufacturing data and prediction outcomes. The models process transaction data through trained algorithms, serving as a mediator that transforms historical data into reliable predictions for manufacturing time, cost, and methodology without requiring human interpretation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If standardized methodologies are implemented for manufacturing predictions, then consistency improves, but adaptability to unique cases worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction consistencyVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic prediction capabilities where the machine learning system adapts to unique manufacturing cases while maintaining standardized processing. The regression models can handle varying input parameters and produce customized predictions for each manufacturing request, allowing the system to be both consistent in methodology and adaptable to specific product requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If manual estimation processes are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but productivity and efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing estimation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual estimation processes with automated machine learning systems that process manufacturing transaction data. This substitution dramatically improves productivity by eliminating time-consuming human estimation while providing consistent, data-driven predictions for manufacturing time, cost, and methodology across all requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a self-service prediction system where the machine learning models automatically generate manufacturing appraisals without requiring human intervention. The system serves itself by processing input data through trained regression models and generating predictions independently, reducing overhead and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If comprehensive data processing is implemented, then prediction accuracy improves, but processing time worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing and training the machine learning models on historical manufacturing transaction data before actual predictions are needed. This upfront preparation allows the system to quickly generate accurate predictions during production without time-consuming data processing, as the models have already learned from comprehensive historical data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250138507A1Methods and apparatus for machine learning predictions of manufacturing processes
Publication Date: 2025.05.01 XOMETRY INC
  • US20250138507A1 patent drawing
  • US20250138507A1 patent drawing
  • US20250138507A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The subject technology is related to methods and apparatus for training a set of regression machine learning models with a training set to produce a set of predictive values for a pending manufacturing request, the training set including data extracted from a set of manufacturing transactions submitted by a set of entities of a supply chain. A multi-objective optimization model is implemented to (1) receive an input including the set of predictive values and a set of features of a physical object, and (2) generate an output with a set of attributes associated with a manufacture of the physical object in response to receiving the input, the output complying with a multi-objective condition satisfied in the multi-objective optimization model.