Using Big Data methods to improve fuel cell manufacturing

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Manufacturing is a pillar of the Canadian economy, accounting for approximately $174 billion (or more than**10%) of GDP and employing 1.7 million people. Modern manufacturing is high-tech with many complex**processes and copious amounts of data associated with these processes.**Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. has established a Fuel Cell Division (MBFC) in Burnaby, British Columbia, with**the objective to accelerate the development and deployment of fuel cell technologies for use in the automotive**industry. Modern manufacturing is data intensive, and the manufacturing of fuel cells is a complex procedure**involving many stages. MBFC uses a manufacturing process that includes high-precision computerized**equipment, robots, and sensors that gather and store data from the manufacturing lines. Consequently, MBFC**in is possession of a vast amount of data that describe the inputs and state of the fuel cell at many stages of**production. MBFC desires to improve their already rigorous quality control through the use of machine**learning and data analytics to detect unacceptable parts or processes as early as possible (ideally in real time) in**the manufacturing process.**This goal of this research project is to use Big Data techniques to help MBFC improve the efficiency (and**hence cost effectiveness) of its manufacturing process. This involves understanding the types of data available**and the way in which they are collected and stored. MBFC will directly utilize the results of this research to**improve its data analytics techniques, thus shedding insight on some of its acute short-term concerns as well as**to have a framework upon which to perform future analysis of new problems.**This project will result in direct economic benefit to MBFC. The company will use the research to further**improve its manufacturing process, enabling it to produce more fuel cells, more reliably, and at lower cost.**Canada is a world leader in fuel cell technology. This research will help MBFC put fuel-cell powered cars on**the road in Canada and elsewhere at more affordable prices, thus reducing green house gas emissions.