PNTZ has implemented AI to control the geometry of pipes
Pervouralsky Novotrubny Plant (a branch of the Pipe Metallurgical Company) has implemented a project to digitalize quality control in the pipe rolling workshop. This was reported in the press service of the company.
PHOTO: the official website of PNTZ.
The machine vision system includes a unique software and hardware complex and uses a number of original solutions, which ensures continuous end-to-end control of the geometric parameters of pipe products.
"The digital solution was developed by specialists of the TMK Research Center in conjunction with the technological management of PNTZ," the report says. — It is based on modern scientific approaches and best practices of industrial artificial intelligence. The implementation of the complex has significantly reduced the influence of the human factor, improved measurement accuracy and minimized errors in the production of hot-formed pipes and rolled products."High-precision machine vision cameras are installed in key areas of the TPA—160 pipe rolling unit - the stitching, rolling and reduction mills.
The neural network model determines the endpoints of pipes and workpieces in real time, calculates their length and diameter using timestamp synchronization. The data is transferred to a centralized storage and processing system, which ensures continuous monitoring of production parameters and access to them from any device, including mobile devices.
About 2 thousand labeled images of pipes and blanks of different grades were used to train the model. The hardware and software systems are adapted to work in metallurgical production conditions: the equipment is protected from high temperatures, thermal radiation, dust, moisture and electromagnetic interference, which guarantees stable and continuous operation.
"The introduction of a machine vision system at the PNTZ is part of TMK's digital strategy for the development of smart manufacturing. Today, all pipes and blanks of the workshop pass through the complex at the pipe rolling unit. We not only automated the measurements, but also gave our staff a modern tool for monitoring critical parameters. This allows us not only to guarantee the accuracy of the geometric dimensions of the pipes for our customers, but also to significantly increase the metal utilization rate by promptly adjusting equipment settings," said Vladimir Toporov, Managing Director of PNTZ.reference: PNTZ is implementing a comprehensive production digitalization program that includes the use of big data analysis and machine learning technologies. Within its framework, initiatives such as "Digital assistant to the steelworker" in the "Iron Ozone 32" electric steelmaking workshop, an end-to-end system have already been implemented.