POSCO Pohang Steelworks Accelerates Smart Factory Construction... Illuminating the Future of Manufacturing

On the 9th, President Moon Jae-in visited the Pohang Steelworks No. 2 Blast Furnace, known as the "Artificial Intelligence Crucible," and took a commemorative photo with the executives and employees. (Photo by Pohang Steelworks)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Yushin] POSCO Pohang Steelworks announced on the 14th that it will accelerate the establishment of intelligent factories (smart factories) this year.

An intelligent factory refers to a factory that improves productivity by utilizing artificial intelligence technologies such as the Internet of Things and deep learning.

POSCO has equipped Blast Furnace No. 2 with an intelligent system that collects and analyzes big data including various indicators and variables determining the blast furnace condition, predicts and controls operating conditions, increasing daily molten iron production by more than 240 tons.

Unlike in the past when it relied on workers' experience and skills, it is now possible to produce high-quality molten iron based on real-time measured data.

The company plans to enhance productivity by converting Blast Furnace No. 3 into an intelligent factory following Blast Furnace No. 2, which has already been transformed.

Since 2015, Pohang Steelworks has been building intelligent factories starting with the Pohang No. 2 Hot Rolling Mill, and in 2018 completed the Smart Data Center, establishing a foundation to collect operating data generated from each plant in real time.

By promoting intelligence in each process, it has implemented about 140 intelligent tasks on site by last year.

Nam Soohee, head of Pohang Steelworks, said, "We will continuously develop intelligent factories, the core of industrial competitiveness, to create a steelworks that remains resilient despite the steel industry's downturn."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.