Start of Computerization of Production Control at Steel Plants (up to mid 60s)
Each of the steel producing countries in the world started to introduce
computer for enhancement of work efficiency in the steel
industry, though the computers available then were very expensive and functionally limited. Computer used were
such as IBM 1401 and 7074. Applications were primarily in payroll calculation and cost accounting, and in preparation of production and management plan.
In the first half of 1960s the computer was applied in the following areas: billing and accounting, production planning, production result collecting, production control
Optimization of each manufacturing process (Mid 1960s to mid 1970s)
In this period computer was introduced into the all production and control activities,
and the prototype of today’s CIM was established. The application systems, types
of computer and application areas used are outlined below.
Control System Batch Computer:
- Order entry
- Material control
- Shipment processing
- Accounting
- Order status control
- Daily operation control
- Generation administration
Operation System Online Computer:
- Material tracking
- Work instruction issuance
- Work result collection
- Yard control
Process Control Computer:
Furnace
- Material tracking
- Model control
- Process monitoring
- Data collection
Rolling Mill
- Material tracking
- Model control
- Process monitoring
- Data collection
Corporation-wide optimization, Integrated Management System (mid 1970s to present)
Development of networking technology and increased computer capability made it
possible for cooperate-wide system integration and optimization.
- Allocation and Scheduling: Inter-plant load allocation system;
Inter-plant material allocation system; Corporation-wide integrated order
status control system
- Computer system Corporation-wide network, LAN, WAN, High-speed digital communication technology
- Online control and data communication system: Improved Level 1 (PLC Level) control system,
plant-wide and corporation-wide integrated production system (Level
2, Level 3, etc.)
- Plant-wide and Corporation-wide business systems and their optimization
- Mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence and fuzzy set theory
Further Development
- Market information network
- Strategic information system (SIS)
- Business-diversification capable CAD/CAM
- Web-base applications and globally integrated information system
- Fully integrated control and operating system, such as a Windows system
(like Microsoft Windows) with major control system drivers and logics
integrated into it (Metal Pass LLC plans to present a proposal in this
aspect).