- STEEL INSPECTION FOR QUALITY EXCELLENCE
- Boost Steel Quality & Process Efficiency with Surface Inspection
- Expert Guide: Focus on advanced steel surface quality inspection
- Slab Inspection at the Source – Surface Quality Starts in Casting
- Plate Inspection – Identify Surface & Topographical Defects Early
- Hot Inspection – Ensure Surface Quality Before Coiling
- Cold Inspection – Detect Cold Rolling and Processing Defects
- Expert Guide: Focus on advanced steel surface quality inspection
- Production analytics - Data-driven efficiency
- Service solutions and individual trainings
- Contact our experts
Boost Steel Quality & Process Efficiency with Surface Inspection
Steel production is a high-stakes, precision-driven process. From slab casting to final coiling, surface defects and inefficiencies can lead to costly rework, customer claims, or reputational damage. That’s why global manufacturers rely on our surface inspection systems—engineered to detect, classify, and localize defects inline, 24/7, and under harsh conditions.
Spanning the entire flat steel process chain, our systems deliver real-time quality data and actionable insights—enabling early intervention, improved material utilization, and smarter decisions at every stage. Whether identifying casting cracks, performing predictive roll maintenance, or optimizing output across the line, operators gain full transparency and process control.
With future-ready technology and global service support, our automated inspection systems help maximize uptime, improve energy efficiency, and ensure long-term competitiveness at the lowest total cost of ownership.
Integrated Inspection. Measurable Impact.
- Consistent Quality: Detect and classify surface defects inline to reduce claims and ensure top-grade output.
- Process Control: Gain real-time insights for faster reactions, better decisions, and audit-ready documentation.
- Maximum Uptime: Spot wear trends early and avoid unplanned downtime with predictive maintenance.
- Global Service, local support: Rely on proven industry experience and a worldwide service network.
Detect Surface Defects and Optimize Steel Production – From Slab to Coil
Slab Inspection at the Source – Surface Quality Starts in Casting
Up to 60% of all quality-relevant surface defects originate in the slab—yet many remain undetected until later stages. At this point, glowing surfaces and rough textures challenge conventional inspection systems.
Our state-of-art surface quality monitoring solution combines parallel 2D and 3D surface inspection to detect even subtle anomalies — like cracks, grooves, or burrs—on all four sides of the slab.
Real-time depth measurement and multi-step defect classification enable operators to distinguish critical from non-critical defects. Via a user-friendly interface, your team can take immediate action: send a slab for grinding, reroute it for less demanding applications, or reject it entirely. Optional modules support cross-process tracking and decision-making for long-term optimization.
The result: Early defect detection reduces downstream damage, stabilizes quality, and unlocks measurable cost savings.
- Benefits
- Defects
- Features
- Early-stage defect detection prevents downstream damage and ensures consistent product quality
- Cost and energy efficiency through early filtering of substandard slabs and reduced rework
- Seamless system integration including grinder connectivity and easy retrofit into existing lines
- Process optimization via cross-process defect tracking and slab reassignment modules
- Fast return on investment through intuitive operation, system uptime, and measurable quality gains
Typical 2D contrast-based surface defects
- Non-metallic inclusions – Foreign particles trapped in the steel during casting
- Blisters – Raised areas caused by trapped air or water beneath the surface
- Cracks (visible) – Longitudinal or transverse surface cracks formed by thermal stress or mold oscillation.
- Scaling – Flaking or peeling of surface layers due to poor curing or thermal cycling
- Discoloration / oxidation zones - Irregular color patches caused by overheating
or surface oxidation, often misclassified by 2D inspection systems.
Typical 3D topographical defects
- Spider cracks – Fine, branching cracks often caused by mold surface conditions or copper particle contamination
- Oscillation marks – Formed during mold oscillation in continuous casting
- Corner and edge tears – Mechanical damage at slab edges from improper mold design or casting speed
- Scum patches and pits – Surface depressions caused by slag inclusions or gas entrapment
- Bleeder and scab defects – Irregularities from molten steel leakage or solidification issues
- Topographic distortion - Wave‑like irregularities on hot,
structured surfaces detectable only through 3D triangulation.
- Parallel 2D/3D Inspection: Combines contrast-based 2D imaging and laser triangulation-based 3D topography for reliable detection of surface and depth defects on hot, structured slabs.
- Real-Time Multi-Angle Analysis: Ensures complete surface evaluation—including edge crack detection—via additional side-view sensors.
- Inline Depth & Dimension Measurement: Accurately determines defect depth and slab dimensions to improve grinder alignment and downstream handling.
- Robust Defect Classification: Algorithms distinguish surface flaws from natural slab textures under extreme conditions.
- Thermal Protection & Cooling: Smart cooling and shielding enable uninterrupted operation on hot slab surfaces.
- Grinder System Integration: Real-time feedback loop supports automatic grinder adjustment for efficient defect removal.
Hyundai Steel Boosts Productivity and Cuts Costs with 3D Slab Inspection
“The partnership between Hyundai Steel and ISRA VISION goes beyond the traditional supplier-customer relationship. Thanks to continuous innovation and proactive support, we have been able to utilize the pioneering technology of this machine vision specialist to significantly improve the efficiency of our casting process monitoring and quality management. ISRA VISION is a valuable partner on our path to excellence. The responsiveness and good support are particularly worth mentioning.”
Tae Soo Moon
Machine Vision Research Team Leader
Hyundai Steel
Plate Inspection – Identify Surface & Topographical Defects Early
High temperatures, vibrations, and rough ambient conditions make surface inspection in plate rolling particularly difficult—especially when thick steel plates develop complex surface textures during deformation. Yet if defects like edge tears, scale, or scabs are missed at this stage, they often reappear downstream—damaging equipment, causing rework, or resulting in customer complaints. That’s why plate rolling requires reliable inline inspection.
Operators gain topographical defect data and surface metrics to decide: Is the flaw critical? Should the plate be reworked, downgraded, or accepted? This enables fast, confident decisions, early correction, and stable product quality—despite harsh conditions.
The result: smarter defect handling, less waste, fewer claims—and a more competitive rolling process.
- Benefits
- Defects
- Features
- Early Defect Handling – Enables fast rework, reduces downstream damage and claims
- Reliable Classification – Distinguishes critical from cosmetic flaws for better decisions
- Smarter Operations – Supports predictive maintenance and root cause analysis
- Audit-Ready Documentation – Traceable defect data for ASTM and EN quality compliance
- Process Stability & Efficiency – Reduces rework and material loss, even under harsh conditions
Typical 2D contrast-based surface defects
- Surface Cracks – Visible breaks in the surface caused by thermal stress or mechanical strain
- Discoloration – Irregular color patches due to oxidation, overheating, or contamination
- Scratches and Gouges – Linear or deep surface damage from handling or processing tools
- Blisters / Scabs – Raised or flaky areas caused by trapped gas or slag during solidification
- Delamination – Separation of surface layers, often due to internal stress or inclusions
Typical 3D topographical defects
- Oscillation Marks – Repetitive depressions from mold oscillation during casting
- Depressions and Pits – Localized surface indentations caused by slag entrapment or gas bubbles
- Bulges and Raised Areas – Surface protrusions due to uneven solidification or internal pressure
- Edge and Corner Defects – Irregularities or damage at slab boundaries from mechanical stress
- Surface Waviness – Undulating surface profile caused by inconsistent cooling or rolling
- Unique, parallel contrast-based 2D and topographical 3D inspection solution
- Defect depth analysis via 3D triangulation
- Real-time defect classification
- Documentation to meet US (ASTM) or EU (EN) quality standards
- Modular, ruggedized sensor housing
- Designed for high-speed, high-temperature environments
Shandong Steel Optimizes Plate Mill Processes with Inline 3D Inspection
"With the use of the inline inspection system PLATE MASTER 3D from ISRA VISION, we have been able to significantly reduce the labour and time required for surface inspection of the plates compared to before. Additionally, our quality managers receive meaningful information to address defect causes and optimize our processes. This has made it possible not only to improve the quality of our products and customer satisfaction but also to increase production capacity.”
Li Fuping
Technical Director
Shandong Steel Rizhao
Hot Inspection – Ensure Surface Quality Before Coiling
Even after upstream inspection, hot rolling introduces a new set of surface defects—such as edge cracks, shells, blisters, gouges, and ultra-low contrast roll marks. These arise from scale formation, extreme heat, and mechanical stress between the roughing and finishing stands.
Our robust inspection system detects and evaluates all relevant defects in real time—at full line speed, even under extreme conditions.
The result: Fewer rejects, better product consistency, and significantly lower maintenance and downtime.
- Benefits
- Defects
- Features
- Early defect detection minimizes rework, scrap, and customer complaints
- Real-time defect detection at full speed and extreme temperatures
- Innovative defect classification enables reliable decisions and improves process control and process stability
- Consistent surface quality through early defect prevention
- Process transparency through continuous monitoring and defect tracking
- Rugged system design ensures stable performance under oil mist, heat, and vibration
- Fast ROI through easy integration, highest uptimes, and measurable efficiency gains
- Yield improvement through fewer rejects, less rework, and reduced claims
- Blisters
- Shells
- Longitudinal cracks
- Edge cracks
- Scratches, grooves and gouges
- Strip edge defects
- Roll marks
- Scale or oxide patches (due to inadequate descaling)
- Heavy-duty sensor design for stable inspection in extreme heat, vibration, and scale-laden environments
- Defect classification to reliably separate critical from non-critical surface flaws
Cold Inspection – Detect Cold Rolling and Processing Defects
During cold rolling, residual scale from upstream processes can become embedded in the material—causing defects such as inclusions, streaks, or laminations. Combined with roll wear and high mechanical stress, this can lead to additional flaws like edge cracks and ultra-low contrast roll marks.
Our inspection system uses sensors to reliably detect and classify these flaws in real time. With encoder-based defect localization classification, operators can instantly evaluate defect relevance and decide whether to coil, reject, or schedule maintenance.
A key advantage: an optional Roll Mark Monitoring Software tracks repeating defect patterns and links them to specific rolls in Cold and Tandem Mills. This enables predictive roll maintenance—so operators can prevent roll-induced surface damage before it happens. With clear, traceable defect classification, critical issues can be distinguished from harmless surface variations, enabling precise intervention and consistent quality.
The result: improved process control, and consistently high-quality output—right before final coiling.
- Benefits
- Defects
- Features
- Early real-time defect detection at full speed minimizes rework, scrap, and customer complaints
- Process transparency through continuous monitoring and defect tracking
- Superior defect detection with multi-channel defect detection available
- Innovative defect classification enables reliable decisions and improves process control and process stability
- Consistent surface quality through early defect prevention
- Rugged system design ensures stable performance under oil mist, heat, and vibration
- Predictive roll monitoring avoids roll-related damage and reduces unplanned downtime
- Fast ROI through easy integration, highest uptimes, and measurable efficiency gains
- Yield improvement through fewer rejects, less rework, and reduced claims
- Blisters: Raised spots from trapped gas or contamination
- Shells: Flaky surface layers that can peel off
- Longitudinal Cracks: Cracks along the rolling direction from stress
- Edge Cracks: Cracks near strip edges due to uneven deformation
- Scratches, Grooves, Gouges: Surface damage from mechanical contact
- Strip Edge Defects: Irregular edges like burrs or folds affecting processing
- Laminations – Internal layer separations that can compromise material integrity
- Inclusions – Embedded non-metallic particles from upstream processes
- Roll Marks – Periodic, low-contrast defects from worn or contaminated rolls
- Compact multi-angle camera setup for structured surface and edge defect analysis
- Defect classification with high-resolution real-time analysis
- Real-time data output enables instant classification and downstream decisions
- Encoder-based defect localization for roll-specific trend monitoring
- Heavy-duty system sensor with protective housing for oil mist, steam, and vibration
- Ultra-low contrast roll mark detection using digital signal stacking
- Roll Mark Monitor software with intuitive traffic-light alerts for predictive roll maintenance
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Production analytics - Data-driven efficiency
The web-based production analytics platform allows you to check the system status of all production lines at a glance or analyze production data in detail. With the quality management system, you analyze historical data, monitor current inspection data in real-time, and identify future trends in your production process.
Early detection of production defects
Detect and quickly identify the cause of threshold value violations at every stage of production with live status information and automatic alerts. As a result you can quickly resolve production defects, shorten downtime, and reduce production costs.
Predictive maintenance
You can prevent potential system failures by analyzing real-time data from the sensors and monitoring systems. This allows proactive planning of maintenance, based on the actual condition of the machines, instead of following a fixed schedule. This data-driven approach saves costs through reduced downtime and increased overall productivity, as well as longer production line life.
Optimization of production
Dashboards allow you to compare production line and product data onsite or remotely, providing key insights for optimization. This enables you to make informed professional decisions along your value chain to increase the product quality as well as profitability. You can continuously track the progress of optimization measures and present them with visualized advanced reports.
Your benefits
- Time-saving multi-line overviews, one view for all quality-related information
- Minimize downtime by monitoring system health data
- Faster reaction to quality issues with quality data monitoring
- Fast elimination of production defects, reduction of production costs
- Improved maintenance for reduced downtime, higher overall productivity and longer production line life
Key Features
- Overview on production data and plant status
- Live insights from real time data
- Department oriented dashboards, customer specific adaptations are possible
- Web-based solution, no client software installation required
- Threshold monitoring and alerting
- Open to integrate relevant third-party data and export data to the customer's systems
Service solutions and individual trainings
For the efficient and future-proof operation of your production systems our highly qualified service teams support you globally in all matters. We provide the implementation, maintenance and servicing as well as the analysis and optimization of your systems.
Learn in the ISRA VISION Academy how our competent trainers always keep your employees up to date with the latest knowledge so that system operators, product engineers and quality managers become real inspection experts.
