Enhancing SMEs digital transformation through machine learning: A framework for adaptive quality prediction

As smart manufacturing expands, businesses see the importance of digital transformation, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Unlike larger companies, SMEs face greater challenges when undergoing digital transformation due to technological questions. However, recent advancements in high-performance computing and reduced hardware costs have made deep learning-based digital transformation more financially feasible for SMEs. While previous research utilized machine learning for product quality prediction, there remains a lack of comprehensive in adaptive quality prediction specifically designed for SMEs. This study presents a systematic framework utilizing various machine learning methods and validates research cases using CRISP-DM (Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining). The first step involves applying XGBoost(eXtreme Gradient Boosting)for feature selection, the second step utilizes GRU for parameter prediction. Finally, in the third step, SVM (Support Vector Machine) is employed for quality classification. The integrated framework achieves high accuracy, with R2reaching 90 % for predicted parameters and nearly 95 % for classification indicators. Moreover, this research addresses the research gap in quality prediction and adaptability and provide an effective digital transformation solution for SMEs without substantial investment. The proposed research framework can be applied SMEs of other domains, such as the machining and traditional manufacturing industry.