ISRA VISION’s SURFACE MASTER installation: SSAB strengthens data driven surface quality decisions in galvanized steel production
Darmstadt, Germany – SSAB Europe is a leading steel manufacturer serving demanding customer industries with high quality cold rolled and coated steel products. At its Hämeenlinna site in Finland, SSAB operates advanced galvanizing and color coating lines producing a wide range of zinc and zinc alloy coated steel grades. To further strengthen surface quality evaluation and support development work, SSAB decided to introduce the automated surface inspection system out of the SURFACE MASTER portfolio from ISRA VISION. The goal was not only to detect deviations online, but to generate precise, digital surface data that could be used across departments – from production and quality to process development and R&D.
From visual assessment to digital surface intelligence
Before installing the inspection system, surface evaluation on the galvanizing line at Hämeen-linna relied largely on visual inspection. While this approach had worked in the past, it no longer met the increasing requirements for data availability, traceability, and analytical depth.
In particular, SSAB faced the following challenges:
- Lack of objective, digital surface appearance data for development and statistical analysis
- Limited ability to analyze surface deviations retrospectively
- Growing demand for faster and more consistent quality decisions
- High variability of materials, surface structures, and coating types
- No previous inspection system on the line, meaning no established reference data
SSAB was looking for a solution that would provide reliable inspection results at high line speeds while supporting long term process optimization and continuous improvement.
Experience with ISRA VISION systems at upstream production sites was an important factor in the decision making process.
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Flexible inspection technology adapted to complex materials
SSAB selected the inspection system equipped with next generation color line scan cameras and multiple illumination concepts, including bright field, dark field and transition field as well as a bi-colored LED. The system is installed on the continuous galvanizing line and operates at speeds of up to 230 m/min with inspection widths of up to 1,550 mm.
Using ISRA VISION’s proven inspection software, the system captures detailed surface images and records deviations with high precision. As several of the inspected materials had no predefined standard settings, the project required extensive configuration and parameterization. Additional illumination fields also had to be configured individually for different material types.
Thanks to the flexibility of the software architecture and close cooperation between SSAB specialists and experienced ISRA VISION engineers, the system could be adapted to the line’s specific requirements without extensive R&D effort. System fine-tuning and classifier training were carried out step by step, acknowledging that classification is a continuous learning process – especially for less frequently produced grades.
Once the tuning phase progressed, the inspection system was quickly accepted by its users. Line inspectors, quality engineers, customer care teams, as well as product and process development specialists now use the system and its data daily.
Today, part of the quality decisions at Hämeenlinna are based directly on inspection data. Communication between surface related teams has improved, as deviations can be discussed using objective, shared information rather than subjective impressions.
In addition, the inspection data has already enabled SSAB to identify recurring, line specific defects. Using these insights, corrective measures were introduced in production to reduce the occurrence of such defects and stabilize surface quality.
“The joint journey with ISRA VISION – from technology selection through equipment installation, user training, commissioning, and classification – has been challenging but highly educational. The implementation of future inspection systems will certainly be easier, as our expertise has significantly improved across multiple areas. Digitalization of surface appearance provides more data, for example for statistical analysis. The ability to analyze surface deviations later from recorded data makes quality decisions more precise and, in some cases, faster.” says Tero Kopio, Director, Technology, Cold Rolled and Coated Products, SSAB Europe
Advantages of using Surface Master for surface inspection of steel:
- Digitalized and objective surface appearance data
- Faster and more accurate quality decisions
- Improved root cause analysis based on stored inspection data
- Reduced rework and lower effort for deviation control
- Better cross department collaboration using shared data
- Flexible inspection and configuration for varying grades and coatings
- Strong foundation for continuous improvement and future extensions
Further information downloadable from: www.isravision.com
The Surface Master inspection system is used by SSAB in Hämeenlinna, Finnland. Data conceived by the system have a direct impact on quality related decisions.
The system is installed on the continuous galvanizing line and operates at speeds of up to 230 m/min with inspection widths of up to 1,550 mm.
About ISRA VISION
ISRA VISION is a leading provider of technologies for industrial image processing (machine vision). As part of the Atlas Copco Group, a global leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions, we offer an extensive range of solutions for surface inspection, robot guidance and automated metrology. We supply customers in a wide range of industries. Headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, we deliver value to our customers through a global organization under the ISRA VISION brand.
