<h2 id="isPasted">Introduction</h2><p>Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally transforming engineering. From streamlining design iterations to enhancing complex simulations, AI has evolved into a critical tool for product innovation. As industries face demands for faster development, higher performance, and increased sustainability, engineers are shifting toward intelligent, data-driven workflows.</p><p>At the forefront of this transformation is Altair, a global leader in computational science and artificial intelligence. With nearly four decades of expertise in simulation, high-performance computing and technology, Altair’s technologies empower engineers to design, simulate, and optimise faster and more effectively. Its platforms, such as SmartWorks, HyperWorks, and PhysicsAI, are used across the aerospace, automotive, electronics, and manufacturing industries to tackle complex engineering challenges with precision and agility.</p><p>This philosophy will take centre stage at ATCx AI for Engineers 2025, Altair’s global virtual event, which focuses on the practical impact of AI in engineering. Bringing together industry experts, engineers, and technologists, the event showcases how AI is being applied across various domains, disciplines, and the world.</p><p>One of the standout sessions features Ujwal Patnaik, Global Senior Director of Product Strategy at Altair, presenting his keynote <strong>“100 Use Cases Later: What AI Has Taught Us About Engineering”</strong>.</p><p>Rather than speculating about AI’s future potential, this session focuses on what AI is already doing—today. Ujwal draws from 100 real-world engineering implementations, spanning applications from crash simulation and battery health prediction to HVAC optimisation. The goal isn’t to walk through each use case, it’s to decode the bigger picture: What patterns emerge from successful AI workflows? What’s working across industries? Where is the real ROI—whether in time saved, waste eliminated, or quality gained?</p><p>As Ujwal puts it, “AI isn’t just a tool – it’s becoming a new way of engineering ”. And once you’ve seen what 100 real AI solutions look like, the natural question becomes: What’s stopping you from doing the 101st?</p><p><a href="https://events.altair.com/atcx-ai-for-engineers-2025/?utm_campaign=GLB-2025-06-ATCx-CVG-AI-for-Engineers&amp;utm_source=wevolver.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=atcx-ai-for-engineers-2025-wevolver-sponsored-landing-page" class="button-main-action">Register now.</a></p><h2>Engineering at the Speed of Intelligence</h2><p>Modern engineering isn’t just about performance it’s about making the smartest decisions in the shortest amount of time. As product requirements become increasingly complex and development cycles compress from years to months, engineers require tools that enable them to design, simulate, and optimise without delay. AI has emerged as a force multiplier. When paired with simulation, it unlocks the ability to explore more design alternatives, predict failures earlier, and reduce the need for repetitive physical testing. With Altair’s PhysicsAI, engineers can build surrogate models that replicate simulation results with a fraction of the computational effort—freeing up time and resources to innovate. Tasks like optimising aerodynamics or thermal dissipation now take hours instead of weeks. This speed doesn't come at the cost of accuracy, it’s built on it.</p><h2>What 100 Use Cases Reveal</h2><p>In his keynote, Ujwal Patnaik doesn’t just recount stories. He extracts patterns. Across the 100 use cases he analyses, four themes repeatedly emerge:</p><ol><li><p><strong>Start small, scale smart</strong><br />The most successful AI projects don’t aim to overhaul an entire product lifecycle on day one. They begin with high-impact, focused use cases, such as optimising component geometry, predicting mechanical fatigue, or accelerating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies. These small wins build momentum.</p></li><li><p><strong>Physics + AI is greater than either alone.</strong><br />Hybrid modelling is a recurring strategy that combines simulation data with machine learning models. By training AI on historical simulation results, teams create fast, reliable predictors that reduce solver time while preserving fidelity.</p></li><li><p><strong>The engineer remains central.</strong><br />Contrary to common fear, AI isn’t replacing engineers—it’s augmenting them. In the most effective deployments, engineers guide the models, define the constraints, and interpret results. AI handles the repetition, but humans retain control over the process.</p></li><li><p><strong>Data infrastructure matters</strong><br />Projects didn’t fail because the AI didn’t work—they struggled when data was siloed, messy, or incomplete. Clean, connected, and structured data pipelines made the difference between experimentation and scaled success.</p></li></ol><p>Ultimately, the session drives home one message: AI isn’t magic it’s a method. And like any method, it works best when it’s grounded in engineering judgment and enterprise readiness.</p><h2>Empowering Engineers, Not Replacing Them</h2><p>AI is only as powerful as the people who use it. That’s why Altair’s platforms are built with engineers, not data scientists, in mind. Altair SmartWorks is a low-code/no-code environment that allows engineers to integrate AI into their workflows without writing complex code. It democratises access to machine learning, making advanced analytics part of every engineer’s toolbox. Instead of relying on black-box tools, SmartWorks offers transparency and control. Engineers can train, validate, and deploy models themselves, keeping their domain knowledge at the centre of every prediction. This human-in-the-loop approach is a defining philosophy across Altair's offerings. AI supports creativity, accelerates exploration, and strengthens decision-making, but it’s the engineer who leads.</p><h2>Geometric Deep Learning: Engineering’s New Ally</h2><p>A compelling area of advancement is Geometric Deep Learning (GDL). Traditional machine learning is most effective with structured data, such as spreadsheets or image grids. However, engineering problems often involve complex 3D geometries such as meshes, surfaces, and point clouds, which GDL is specifically designed to handle. With GDL, engineers can build AI models that learn directly from CAD geometries and mesh data. Applications include stress prediction, crash analysis, fluid flow modelling, and structural optimisation, all executed significantly faster than traditional simulations. Altair’s work with PhysicsAI is pushing this frontier forward, allowing companies to simulate smarter and learn continuously from their geometry-driven design history.</p><h2>Three Sessions You Shouldn’t Miss</h2><p>Beyond keynotes, ATCx AI for Engineers 2025 features three in-depth technical sessions that offer actionable insights for different domains:</p><h3>Simulation-Driven Design</h3><p>This session explores how simulation has moved upstream in the development process. Engineers now use simulation not as a validation tool but as a real-time design driver. Presenters will share how meshless solvers, cloud-enabled simulation platforms, and integrated optimisation loops are unlocking rapid design exploration. Companies will demonstrate how they’re bringing new products to life with fewer physical prototypes and faster iterations.</p><h3>Where Physics Meets AI</h3><p>Here, Altair will showcase powerful hybrid approaches that combine classical physics solvers with data-driven AI models. The session features examples where AI has accelerated electromagnetic, thermal, and structural analysis without compromising reliability. Attendees will learn how to build and validate surrogate models, reduce simulation runtimes, and enhance overall design throughput. Emphasis is placed on keeping engineers informed while making workflows more scalable and intelligent.</p><h3>Accelerating AI Adoption for Smart Manufacturing</h3><p>Manufacturing is undergoing a major digital shift—and AI is at its core. This session explores how companies are utilising AI to implement predictive maintenance, defect detection, and real-time process optimisation. Altair’s experts will share frameworks for bridging the gap between IT and operations, overcoming challenges with legacy systems, and achieving early ROI. Live examples will show how manufacturers are embedding AI at the edge and on the shop floor to build truly adaptive systems.</p><p>To support a global audience, sessions will run in two time zones—APAC/EMEA and AMER/LATAM—and include live translations in eight languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.</p><h2>Why ATCx AI for Engineers 2025 Matters</h2><p>In today’s high-stakes engineering environment, access to cutting-edge tools isn’t enough. What matters is how quickly teams can turn those tools into solutions. That’s where events like ATCx become vital. They don’t just showcase technology. They offer a learning environment where strategy meets implementation.</p><p>The value of this event lies in its practical focus. Instead of abstract discussions, sessions are grounded in real business challenges—like reducing design cycle time, improving simulation coverage, and managing data across global teams. Whether you're a simulation analyst or a product innovation lead, you’ll come away with techniques and frameworks that apply immediately.</p><p>With a mix of case studies, product demonstrations, and strategic guidance, ATCx AI for Engineers 2025 provides participants with the knowledge and tools to start or scale their AI journey. The conversations will go beyond algorithms, to focus on the intersection of people, processes, and performance.</p><p>Whether you’re a hands-on design engineer, a digital transformation leader, or a systems architect, this event offers unmatched insight into the practical use of AI across engineering disciplines. The content isn’t theoretical, it’s built around real problems, proven results, and scalable solutions.</p><p>This is not a future vision, it’s happening now. And ATCx AI for Engineers 2025 is where you’ll see how.</p><p><a href="https://events.altair.com/atcx-ai-for-engineers-2025/?utm_campaign=GLB-2025-06-ATCx-CVG-AI-for-Engineers&amp;utm_source=wevolver.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=atcx-ai-for-engineers-2025-wevolver-sponsored-landing-page" class="button-main-action">Register now.</a></p><hr /><h3>References</h3><ul><li><p>Altair Executive Insights. (2024). What Is the Role of AI in Engineering?<br /><a href="https://altair.com/blog/executive-insights/2">https://altair.com/blog/executive-insights/2</a></p></li><li><p>Altair Executive Insights. (2024). Data Architecture: Warehouses, Lakes, and Fabric<br /><a href="https://altair.com/blog/executive-insights/data-architecture-approaches-data-warehouses-lakes-fabric">https://altair.com/blog/executive-insights/data-architecture-approaches-data-warehouses-lakes-fabric</a></p></li><li><p>Altair Executive Insights. (2024). Geometric Deep Learning, AI, and Altair PhysicsAI<br /><a href="https://altair.com/blog/executive-insights/geometric-deep-learning-ai-engineering-altair-physicsai">https://altair.com/blog/executive-insights/geometric-deep-learning-ai-engineering-altair-physicsai</a></p></li><li><p>Event Page: ATCx AI for Engineers 2025<a href="https://events.altair.com/atcx-ai-for-engineers-2025/"></a><a href="https://events.altair.com/atcx-ai-for-engineers-2025/"> https://events.altair.com/atcx-ai-for-engineers-2025/</a></p></li></ul>

ATCx AI for Engineers 2025, Altair's global virtual event, which focuses on the practical impact of AI in engineering. Bringing together industry experts, engineers, and technologists, the event showcases how AI is being applied across various domains, disciplines, and the world.

ATCx AI for Engineers 2025 Global Virtual Event

<p id="isPasted">Detecting defects on semiconductor wafers is extremely challenging due to their reflective surfaces, micro-scale defects, and the need for high precision. Manual parameter tuning and traditional rule-based approaches can be time-consuming and inconsistent, especially when scaling across varying product lines. Machine vision software is therefore playing an increasingly critical role in semiconductor manufacturing, by enabling automated, robust, and highly efficient optical inspection processes.</p><p>Join MVTec on June 5th for a step-by-step, demo-driven webinar and discover how advanced vision technologies are transforming wafer inspection and driving quality as well as throughput in semiconductor manufacturing.</p><p><a href="https://www.mvtec.com/application-areas/semiconductors/on-demand-webinar-how-to-maximize-the-yield-in-wafer-production" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="button-main-action">VIEW THE ON-DEMAND WEBINAR</a></p><h2><br /></h2><p><strong>Discover a smarter way to detect wafer defects – no slides, just solutions.</strong></p><h3>What You’ll Learn</h3><ul><li><p>How Machine Vision can be used to detect defects on a wafer showing a live demo</p></li><li><p>Which technologies in MVTec HALCON can be used to maximize the yield</p></li><li><p>How MVTec can support you to start with an automated optical inspection</p></li></ul><h3><br /></h3><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQ2NzAzOTIyMjE3LW1zZV8yLmpwZWciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width:486px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p></td><td><p><strong>Moderator</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-setzer-9113731b7/">Markus Setzer </a>has been a Marketing Specialist at MVTec for six years. In his role at MVTec, he talks a lot with customers and interested parties. Through trade fairs in particular, he has a deep insight into the industry's most pressing questions regarding machine vision in production. The demands of the market shape the structure of the webinar, which Markus Setzer will moderate.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Application Engineer</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&amp;heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAADfmAmIB6H7cwuWEOcdS5WcNGGUXKD81pmI&amp;keywords=coco%20rogers&amp;origin=RICH_QUERY_TYPEAHEAD_HISTORY&amp;position=0&amp;searchId=4e8844cd-9d7e-4dc1-b3b1-8a2f60079e25&amp;sid=YTi&amp;spellCorrectionEnabled=true">Coco Rogers</a> works as an Application Engineer in the Customer Service department and brings extensive expertise in defect detection. She has in-depth knowledge of the semiconductor industry and also develops demonstrators that showcase our software in action. During the webinar, Coco will give a live demonstration of how the optical inspection process of a wafer is performed using advanced machine vision technologies.</p></td><td><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQ2NzAzODg1MTAyLUNvY29fV2ViaW5hci5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><h2><br /></h2><p><a href="https://www.mvtec.com/application-areas/semiconductors/on-demand-webinar-how-to-maximize-the-yield-in-wafer-production" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" id="isPasted" class="button-main-action">VIEW THE ON-DEMAND WEBINAR</a></p><h2 id="isPasted">About MVTec</h2><p>MVTec develops machine vision software used across a wide range of industrial applications, including semiconductor manufacturing. Its tools support tasks such as wafer alignment, inspection of dies and ball/wire bonds, defect classification, shape matching, precise measurement in 2D and 3D, as well as 3D robot guidance and identification. These capabilities contribute to improving production efficiency, enabling advanced manufacturing processes, and supporting applications where human-machine collaboration is required.</p>

Join MVTec to explore how advanced machine vision software is revolutionizing semiconductor wafer inspection with live demos, not slides—boosting precision, quality, and efficiency.

How to maximize the yield in wafer production webinar

<p>Automotive companies both large and small are adapting to new markets and new technologies. Harsh manufacturing environments, challenging targets, and operator safety require rugged and reliable solutions that reduce downtime due to inadvertent stoppages. As more sophisticated components find their way into vehicles automotive manufacturers will need to effectively modernize and optimize their production. </p><p>With robust sensors, lighting, condition monitoring, and safety, products, challenges related to quality inspection, assembly, finishing, and inventory tracking across the global supply chain are simplified. Every day, automotive and tyer manufacturers around the world rely on Banner to solve simple to complex automation challenges in the automotive marketplace. </p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1742913703729-Auto_Assembly_Line_wCallouts+%281%29.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p><h3 id="isPasted"><strong>Image Key</strong></h3><ol><li>Measuring Sheet Metal Thickness</li><li>Light Tunnels for Paint Inspection</li><li>Safeguarding Areas on Assembly Lines</li><li>Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring of Conveyors</li><li>Detecting Black Parts on Black Door Panel </li></ol><h2><br /></h2><h2><br /></h2><h2><br /></h2><h2><br /></h2><h2><strong>#1 Measuring Sheet Metal Thickness</strong></h2><p>In the automotive industry, sheet metal stamping is the process of cutting and shaping metal alloys into automotive frame brackets and other forms using a press tool. Metal stamping dyes are used to create high precision metal parts that are equal in shape and size. Automotive sheet metal stamping requires a specific thickness to ensure the parts are equal, and to ensure the dye is not damaged during the process to prevent down time and costly repairs. </p><p>As metal sheets move down the conveyor, laser displacement sensors measure the sheets on a very precise scale to ensure they are the correct thickness. Quality control is critical to reduce downtime and scrap and maintain high quality standards, so the finished product functions as intended for its useful life. Electrode thickness measurements are made after the coating and roll press processes. At these points, it’s critical to measure the electrode film thickness to determine if it was applied correctly, evenly, and whether any is missing. </p><p>The LM Series precision measurement sensor is a perfect solution because it is highly accurate and measures thickness at micron levels. The LM Series can also consistently look at dark targets on these levels and is capable of micrometer-level resolutions ranging from 2-4 microns, which gives it the ability to measure thickness of sheet metal quickly and accurately. Using a status display to show measurements of the electrode thickness helps operators quickly view measurements to determine if manufacturing requirements are on track. The SD50 Status Display informs operators about exactly what is going on so they can respond quickly and accurately.</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1742913725983-cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p><h2><strong>Light Tunnels for Paint Inspection</strong></h2><p>To help prevent poor quality products from being distributed to customers, it is important to inspect vehicles before they leave the manufacturing plant. When inspecting metal or plastic surfaces in these conditions, imperfections such as fingerprints, dirt, or damaged areas can easily be overlooked. Materials that are shipped with these flaws may require additional repair or recall, which would then drive-up unwanted expenses and cause delays in production. Operators can experience eye strain when inspecting vehicles in paint tunnels. </p><p>Automotive factories need lights that help to reduce worker fatigue, eliminate defects, and allow proper inspection. Banner offers an assortment of LED products, such as the WLB92 and WLB72 task lights to help with this. Using LED lighting on factory floors offers many advantages. The focused beam and higher contrast enable workers to see contrast and make defects more visible to the human eye. Inspection using these lights reduces shadows, improves visibility, and gives workers the light they need to work efficiently and without making mistakes. This is especially important in the automotive industry where oil residue on metalized paint can make fisheye imperfections, which are small circular spots that appear on contaminated surfaces. </p><p>The black edges of the WLB72 shield workers from direct contact with the light when looking down the length of paint tunnels. The various rugged light fixtures offer high quality and low power illumination with the capability to be installed and rotated at different angles to better accommodate the needs of the operator. They have an estimated lifespan of over 50,000 hours and never require replacement bulbs or ballasts, providing years of maintenance-free illumination.</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1742913749763-banner+5.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p><h2><strong>#3 Safeguarding Areas on Assembly Lines</strong></h2><p>Large automotive assembly factories feature a wide range of machinery that have the potential to harm employees and proper safety measures are essential. As cars and other vehicles are assembled, they move further along a conveyor system, surrounded by automated heavy machinery and robotics. Personnel need to be protected from the vehicles and operating equipment to prevent injury. Areas along the assembly line can pose high levels of risk to operators feeding or removing parts and other personnel working in the manufacturing facility. Often times several safety systems are used simultaneously to prevent workers from entering hazardous areas. </p><p>The use of safety light curtains for safeguarding assembly lines has been one of the most common methods for protecting personnel. The heavy machinery generates high levels of shock, which increases the probability of physical impact to the guarding system and can also involve oil mist that degrades the light curtain performance. All of these challenges can result in unwanted interruptions in production to allow for safety system maintenance. A strong safety light curtain solution that can withstand the hostile environment in the press room is necessary for successful production. </p><p>The S4B Series Safety Light Curtains are a well-established solution for automotive assembly lines, with the ability to cascade or connect multiple segments together. Configurations such as vertical pairs are easily implemented with standard hardware to ensure simplified installation and support long term system maintenance requirements. Banner Engineering’s S4B Series Safety Light Curtains are extremely robust with heavy duty, extruded aluminum IP65 rated housing that overcomes optical degradation due to oil and dust accumulation on their windows.</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1742913776759-cq5dam.web.1280.1280+%281%29.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p><h2><strong>#4 Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring of Conveyors</strong></h2><p>On automotive assembly lines, there are a lot of critical devices like pumps and drives, which need to be checked frequently for proper operation. Traditionally, plant managers relied on preventative maintenance schedules provided by a machine’s manufacturer, including regularly replacing machine components on a suggested timeline. However, these timelines are only estimates of when the machine will require service, and the actual use of the machine can greatly affect the reliability of these estimates.</p><p>By monitoring motors, pumps, compressors, fans, blowers, and gearboxes for increases in vibration, problems can be detected before they become too severe and cause damage or unplanned downtime. Vibration and temperature sensors that measure RMS velocity, in inches per second or millimeters per second, and temperature are crucial when setting up condition monitoring systems. Banner’s QM30VT Series sensors have a low-profile design and rigid metal construction that reduces resonant interference and increases surface contact, enabling exceptional levels of accuracy in measuring RMS velocity and temperature. They can detect even slight increases in machine vibration and temperature for early identification of potential problems. </p><p>With Banner's condition monitoring solution, a machine learning algorithm establishes a vibration baseline for the machine. When a machine exceeds its threshold, the wireless temperature and vibration sensor can deliver information to the local user, to a centrally located wireless tower light or to a mobile device via email or text message. The sensor also can send vibration and temperature data to a wireless logic controller or PLC for collection and analysis. The Asset Monitoring Gateway (AMG) with SNAP ID from Banner can collect and analyze this data from up to 20 of the connected sensors. Combine hardware and software to gain a comprehensive condition-monitoring solution. Using the gateway locally or cloud technology online, you can actively track machine performance, conduct predictive maintenance, and improve operational efficiency.</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1742914185666-cq5dam.web.1280.1280+%282%29.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p><h2><strong>#5 Detecting Black Parts on a Black Door Panel</strong></h2><p>Verifying that foam and other components are present on automotive door panels is extremely important to interior trim suppliers because if any part is missing, the quality of the final door assembly is adversely affected. Delivering a bad part to the car manufacturer may result delays or in punitive actions against the Tier 1 supplier. Since door panels are often dark colors such as black or gray, and the foam used to eliminate rattles and provide stiffness is generally black, it can be difficult for standard sensors to differentiate between foam presence and absence due to poor contrast. </p><p>Banner’s Q4X problem-solving triangulation-based laser sensor has no difficulty detecting dark targets on dark backgrounds when there is a height difference. The Q4X provides a reliable sensing solution with best in class excess gain and makes pass/fail judgments based on distance rather than color or reflectivity. A door panel has four areas where foam should be present, so four Q4X sensors are set up to target these areas and confirm proper assembly by the operator. In this case, three targets are verified, but the fourth is missing. A fail signal is sent to alert the operator that the part needs to be reworked before releasing it from the assembly station. Along with reliable sensing on challenging targets, the Q4X is extremely durable with stainless-steel housing that resists mechanical impact, vibrations and overtightening. The setup is simple with clear user feedback on the four-digit angled display and set-up buttons located on the back of the Q4X housing.</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1742913933770-sensors.jpg" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /></p><p><em>This article was written by </em><em>Emmanuel Quellier, Banner Engineering.</em></p>

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