LINZ. In Linz, Voest’s Steel Division produces steels that are used in the automotive industry, among other things, and that meet the strictest quality requirements. Since February, the comprehensive testing and approval processes for cold strip products have been taking place in a newly built testing center, with which Voest has taken on a pioneering role in the steel industry worldwide with regard to digitization, automation and future-oriented work organization.
The new test center for quality assurance of cold-rolled, hot-dip galvanized, electrolytically galvanized and coated steel strips and electrical strips sets completely new standards in quality testing. 95 percent of all samples – an international top value – are measured, processed and pre-sorted for the next work steps fully automatically. “Digitization in all areas of the company is a key pillar of our corporate strategy. The automation and digitization of the test is another important step in expanding our global technology and innovation leadership. We are setting new standards here,” says Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO of Voestalpine AG. Depending on the product, between 50 and 2,000 chemical, mechanical-technological or magnetic tests are carried out per 1,000 tons of steel strip. On average, around 50,000 tests per month are carried out in the laboratory – and the trend is rising.
Greater speed in development
The entire process related to the production, testing and analysis of the samples has been standardized and completely restructured. “This allows us to significantly reduce the times for testing. In addition, we enable faster feedback to research and thus higher speeds in development,” explains Hubert Zajicek, Member of the Management Board of voestalpine AG and Head of the Steel Division. Logistics will also be fully digitized, driverless transport systems will bring the samples to the individual testing and analysis stations in an efficient sequence. “Our goal is to know at all times where the sample is and how it was processed. In addition, we receive digital information regarding the production and testing machines at all times so that we can react immediately if necessary,” says Zajicek.
Officially operational since February
Previously, the cold strip testing technology was distributed decentrally across the Linz site. Construction on the 4,000 m2 building began in February 2019, and provisional test operations began in autumn 2021. Official operation started in February 2022, and the degree of automation and digitization will be further increased by winter 2023. Above all, the preparation, sorting and transport of the samples and series tests will take place automatically in the future.
