Improving Both Worker Safety and Productivity at the Same Time
POSCO Pohang Steelworks is accelerating the development of smart technology that automates workers' manual monitoring tasks by integrating AI video recognition technology into its existing CCTV infrastructure.
The use of an anomaly detection monitoring system in the rolling process at POSCO Pohang Steelworks 2nd Wire Rod Plant.
A major feature of this smart technology is its ability to automate simple and inefficient monitoring tasks while minimizing additional equipment and installation costs. Due to the nature of steelworks, thousands of belt conveyors are installed for raw material transportation, which increases the risk of fire due to friction between raw materials and machinery.
In particular, if a fire breaks out on a belt conveyor and initial suppression fails, the fire can rapidly spread through the raw materials, leading to major equipment failures. Although workers have continuously inspected the equipment, the extensive inspection areas and the limitations of 24-hour monitoring have made fire surveillance by manpower challenging.
To address these issues, the No. 3 Raw Materials Plant has developed an AI fire monitoring system that distinguishes between day and night and has been trained to detect smoke and fire.
This system monitors for fires in real time and, upon detecting any abnormal signs, sends an alert with the relevant footage to the person in charge. The system was completed in April and is now being used in the plant's control room.
At the No. 2 Wire Rod Plant, a rolling process monitoring system has been developed to detect various abnormal situations in real time during operation. It can immediately detect and address problems such as coil bending and jamming, significantly reducing unnecessary production downtime.
Jung Kiljun, deputy manager of the EIC Technology Department, said, "Automation projects using AI video technology are setting a new standard in manufacturing and safety. We will continue to promote automation projects utilizing AI technology to reduce employees' workloads, improve production efficiency, and create a safer working environment."
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