As per the company’s President, Mr Toshikazu Nishimoto, Japanese leading steelmaker Tokyo Steel has decided to introduce an iron scrap inspection system using AI (artificial intelligence) at their Kyushu works in the western region. As per reports, the system specifications are packed and the company is looking to introduce them later this year. Being the largest iron scrap purchaser in Japan which also publishes their scrap purchase prices and acceptance standards, the company has decided that it was necessary to take the initiative to build a de facto standard in the iron scrap inspection system.
The steel scrap inspection system to be introduced is made by prominent equipment supplier from Italy ‘Danieli’. While the system is expected to be introduced within the year, it will take some time for the actual operation to begin due to the accumulation of iron scrap image data. If the iron scrap inspection system operates smoothly, it will be possible to eliminate the variation among inspection workers, improve the accuracy of inspections, and effectively utilize human resources through labour saving.
Among the other plants of the company, currently, an automatic iron scrap mixing system is in operation at its Tahara and Utsunomiya plants, whereas the Okayama factory is difficult to automate due to the layout of the raw material yard. The Kyushu Factory, on the other hand, can be automated including the blending, because of the favorable layout. Thus introducing the inspection system at an early stage will add even greater added value to the plant.
~ Inputs from Japan Metal Daily
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