AUTOMATIC QUALITY-CONTROL OF CONTINUOUSLY CAST SLABS FOR HOT-ROLLING USE

Plant and production range of the Linz Steelworks. Original quality control based on a production specification file. Requirements placed on the computer-assisted quality assurance system. Development of a new system using computerized specifications and automatic defect forecasting. Implementation of the system in several steps between 1983 and 1993. Key features ensuring system reliability include monitoring of measuring equipment, use of statistical process control, and collection of feedback data from the rolling mill. Accomplished production and quality improvements: 83% of slabs produced require no inspection or treatment, 72% reduction in scarfing loss, 80% decrease in strip re-inspections necessitated by metallurgical defects.