POSCO started supporting the team last year after CEO Ohjoon Kwon watched the team take the bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships. As shown in the documentary, the athletes were playing on insufficient sledges that would often break down and cause injuries. Some players were fixing their own sledges between matches, others made do with what they had. CEO Kwon knew POSCO had the solutions for the team and started a project with sledge-maker Massive Blade to revamp the sledges for the team. Now, ahead of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics, the team is equipped and ready with the world’s leading technology.

SEE ALSO: How POSCO’s Advanced Technology Gives Speed to Korea’s Para Ice Hockey Team

Parallel: A Documentary

Parallel was directed by Kyungman Kim in 2012. He wanted to make the movie to document the para ice hockey players’ endurance and grit in overcoming their physical limitations through the sport. “However, as I started editing the footage and putting it all together, I noticed how happy the players looked on the ice. That’s when I decided the documentary was going to be about happiness – what it really means to be happy. That’s what I want to share with viewers,” said director Kim.

Director Kim couldn’t help but notice the smile on the players’ faces. (Source: Taehung Pictures Naver Post)

That’s exactly what the movie delivers. Of course, the players face challenges every day due to their injuries and physical conditions, but the interviews in the documentary reveal the players to be genuinely happy and grateful for their sport. Seunghwan Jung, one of the players, says, “I used to wish I had legs all the time, but when I started playing hockey, the thought just never crossed my mind. In a way, the sport has allowed me to accept myself… understand myself.”

One of the players take break from intense training. (Source: Taehung Pictures Naver Post)

For many of the players, playing para ice hockey has been a healing process, but it doesn’t end there. The team is as competitive as any other Olympic team, and even with a lack of spectators and interest in the sport, the national team has produced impressive results. In the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics, the team placed 6th, and then 7th in Sochi in 2014. This is even more remarkable given the poor equipment, especially the sledges, they were using at the time.

POSCO Gives Ice Sledges a Technological Makeover

In order to qualify as a para ice hockey player, a person must have a physical impairment in the lower part of their body, but this can come in many different forms. As a result, one of the biggest challenges teams face is finding sledges that fit, protect and enhance each player. Before POSCO signed on as a sponsor, the Korean National Team relied on expensive imported sledges from Canada that were heavy and susceptible to structural damage from harsh contact. On average, 5 to 7 sledges required repair work during a single game. In an attempt to produce the first domestic sledge, POSCO’s researchers jumped on board to provide sledge-producer Massive Blade the materials for a lightweight, strong and corrosion resistant sledge.

Researchers at POSCO’s Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology (RIST), came up with a way to use magnesium as the main material for the sledge frame. Magnesium is one of the lightest materials available as it is one third lighter than aluminum, but it is extremely hard to treat and bend into shape. RIST not only developed the technology to treat magnesium, but also applied it to sledges for the first time in history. POSCO also provided its advanced high-manganese anti-vibration steel and stainless steel to finish off the new sledges, fit for a national team.

RIST researchers developed a processing technology to increase the moldability of magnesium.

Outfitted with the new sledges, the team beat out strong European teams in the 2017 World Championships to place 3rd, and just last month, they won a four-nation friendly tournament in Japan. Now, they have their eyes on an Olympic medal in PyeongChang.

Regardless of the results, POSCO will continue to support the Korean National Para Ice Hockey Team so they can continue doing what makes them and others around them happy.

Cover photo courtesy of Hello PyeongChang.

The Korean National Para Ice Hockey Team playing against the U.S. national team in 2014 (Source: Aljazeera)

Para ice hockey, previously called ice sledge hockey, may not be common to everyone, but many consider it the highlight of para-athletic events. A team is composed of athletes who have a physical impairment in the lower part of their body, so instead of wearing skates, they glide through the rink on ice sledges (also known as sleds).

Watch any para ice hockey match, and it will be surprising to see that there is as much, if not more physical contact than regular ice hockey. Although these athletes may be limited in their everyday movement, on ice, they appear to be flying on their sledges.

The thrill and intensity of the sport are just some of the reasons why steel-company POSCO continually supports the Korean national team and para-athletics in general. It is also why POSCO joined the mission to create specially-made sledges for the Korean National Para Ice Hockey Team.

Ice Sledges Make or Break the Match

Due to the nature of the sport, the sledges have to withstand various forms of physical contact such as body checking. They also have to move in complete unison with the players, almost like an additional limb, because it determines the player’s’ steering and control of direction.

So, the sledges have a direct impact on performance.

Some members of the Korean national team have been playing for over 18 years, and they know better than anyone the importance of their sledges in relationship to performance and results. Ideally, a sledge has to be light yet strong, able to absorb shock from external contact and fit the athlete’s body perfectly.

A Korean National Para Ice Hockey Team player fights for the puck during a game against Japan.

All of the sledges the Korean ice hockey team used were previously imported from Canada. The sledges were heavier and often could not withstand harsh contact. On average, 5 to 7 sledges were damaged during a game and required repair work.

That’s why Massive Blade, a company that specializes in ice sports equipment, decided to make the sledges domestically in Korea. When POSCO heard that Massive Blade was looking for a light and strong material to build the sledges out of, researchers jumped on board the mission to produce these new and improved sledges.

The First Domestic Sledge, Built with POSCO’s Technology

This first-of-its-kind sledge was made with POSCO’s new high-strength magnesium alloy, high-manganese anti-vibration steel and stainless steel. Meaning, they replaced the heavy aluminum alloys that made up the previous sledges with POSCO’s advanced materials.

Magnesium

Magnesium has a high specific strength (also known as the strength-to-weight ratio) and is about two-thirds lighter than aluminum. The downside is that it is challenging to mold, so it is not widely used despite its phenomenal lightweight and specific strength qualities. This is where POSCO’s Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology (RIST) stepped in to provide a solution

RIST has been researching magnesium and its production technology for application in mountain bike frames and car frames for 3 years. As a result, RIST also owns the necessary equipment and machinery for processing and producing magnesium parts. In order to develop their technology for processing magnesium, RIST researcher Lee Mok-Young said they had to first identify the characteristics of the material, maintain the proper heat treatment temperature and optimize the accompanying tools for molding magnesium. The molding tool is a new, innovative technology that ultimately decides whether magnesium can be shaped into the necessary parts.

RIST researchers came up with a processing technology to increase the moldability of magnesium

When the processing technology is applied to magnesium, it results in a material that is approximately twice as moldable as regular magnesium. As a result, magnesium was able to be applied to sledges for the first time ever.

High-Manganese Anti-Vibration Steel

High-manganese anti-vibration steel is another material that helped enhance the sledges. They applied it to the parts of the sledge with the most exposure to contact such as the front bar and bucket brackets to prevent injuries as well as to minimize structural deformities. High-manganese anti-vibration steel is widely used in buildings for shock absorption, and according to Kim Sung-Gyu, director of the Gwangyang Steel Commercialization Promotion Team, the anti-vibration properties of the steel make it possible to contain vibrations from external force within the metal. This means less shock is transferred to the players, minimizing the risk of injury.

A technician applies high-manganese anti-vibration steel to the front bar

Stainless Steel

Finally, POSCO’s stainless steel was applied to the sledge blades. There are two blades at the bottom of every sledge, and each blade is 3mm thick. It is important to use high-strength steel so that the thin blades can stay sharp and carry the weight of the sledge and player throughout the whole game. Plus, the blades have to hold the frame 8.5cm to 9.5cm above the ice so that the puck can pass through freely under the sledge. The length of the blade also cannot exceed one-third of the total length of the sledge.

Stainless steel blades are sharpened and reattached

That’s a lot of work for just two blades, and that’s why POSCO’s stainless steel was applied. Besides the fact that it has optimal high-strength, hardness and ductility qualities, stainless steel is corrosion resistant, an important factor for blades constantly exposed to water and ice.

Korea’s National Para Ice Hockey Team Gets Wings

Aside from choosing the right materials, POSCO’s RIST researchers spent the most time trying to understand the difficulties and discomfort the para-athletes face on the sledges. It is true the sledges have to be light and strong, but there are further limitations to gauge precise movement and direction during an intense and dynamic game.

That’s why the researchers scrapped the project in its final stages multiple times to start over. During the process, they made numerous models and constantly talked with the players, coaches and the director. Not only that, the RIST researchers also consulted POSCO’s engineers about technical issues related to the materials. The finished product is really the accumulation of intensive research and running back and forth between the rink, the RIST research lab and POSCO offices.

National team members are adjusting to the new, upgraded sledges

The result of their collaboration is a sledge that is 34 percent lighter and capable of absorbing greater shock than the previous sledges.

The players are already adjusting to their new equipment and it won’t be long until they can test them out in an actual match. POSCO will continue to support para-athletes and the Korean National Para Ice Hockey Team so they can focus on their intensive training without worrying about sledge malfunctions and injuries.

TO (a safe) VICTORY!

Cover photo courtesy of Team USA Hockey.

Imagine, people with disabilities, after being told they may never walk again, find they can not only walk, but also cover a mile in an hour.

Or, a worker with a physically demanding job who lifts and carries loads of weight every day can wear a suit that does the bulk of the lifting for them. Consider the corresponding change in productivity and morale!

With AI, these scenarios are a reality.

Human Exoskeletons and Where They are Applicable

One robotic exoskeleton, SuitX, has the technology that allows users with lower-body disabilities to cover a mile in an hour. This suit is lightweight, controlled by motors at the hips and knees that move the foot supports. The user wears a backpack battery that will last up to eight hours, and controls the suit with buttons placed on crutches.

A man walks with the help of the Phoenix exoskeleton developed by SuitX. (Source: Instagram)

Another exoskeleton, the ReWalk, is commercially available in the United States. It is strapped onto the user’s body over his or her clothing, again using electric motors for power. Sensors assist in movement, which the user controls through a wrist-worn communicator.

Claire L.uses a ReWalk exoskeleton to complete a race (Source: ReWalk)

Similar technology can be used for exoskeletons in an industrial or military application. Workers and soldiers can wear human exoskeletons to gain an instant boost in strength and stamina, lifting far more than they could heft without the robotic help.

The Application of AI

Alexa, Amazon’s artificial intelligence (AI), is practically a member of the family in many households, especially across the U.S. Alexa stocks up on pantry essentials, shares the latest news, gives weather updates and even plays games. But now, she’s stepping into an all-new role that will truly transform people’s lives, beyond household assistance.

Bionik Laboratories has integrated Alexa to its lower-body exoskeleton. This means that to move, users can simply issue a voice command like, “Alexa, take a step.”

ARKE Exoskeleton by Bionik Laboratories (Source: Bionik Laboratories)

Adding AI to exoskeleton controls can potentially help users become familiar with the device. Users may face a steep learning curve with sensors, communicators, and putting it all together to move with an exoskeleton. With the application of AI, however, voice commands get the process started more seamlessly, until users are confident to take over control without Alexa’s help.

While AI-controlled exoskeletons are still in the early stages of testing, the concept holds a lot of promise for enabling greater independence for people who need mobility assistance.

Comparing Exoskeleton Materials

While exoskeletons might seem futuristic, it does not mean that they are made from futuristic alloys and newly invented materials.

Manufacturers are looking for several things from an exoskeleton material: strength, durability and cost effectiveness. Whether AI-assisted or not, exoskeletons are made from a variety of traditionally used materials; typically, carbon, aluminum, or steel.

Some manufacturers may choose carbon for lightweight parts, as this material is not as hefty as steel or aluminum. Steel is the heaviest of all of those materials, but with a powered exoskeleton, the weight may not matter as much, as the machine will be lifting itself.

Aluminum is durable, but not as resistant to damage as steel. Being an inexpensive material, aluminum might seem attractive to manufacturers at first, but that lower price tag comes with a diminished lifetime in comparison to steel.

Carbon is about as damage-resistant as aluminum, but holds less stiffness against weight. Carbon is also generally brittle, so if it faces damage, it may crack and completely break, rather than denting (or being unaffected). High-end carbon can be expensive, potentially driving up the cost of an exoskeleton made with this material.

Different types of exoskeletons (Source: Wired)

Steel, therefore, is very popular for creating exoskeletons and their parts. It provides raw strength and durability. It stands up to many kinds of damage with ease. It bends or dents instead of breaking, and can typically be repaired, even numerous times, without reaching the full point of failure.

Steel lasts, despite wear and tear. This robust material is ideal for limb elements like arms and legs, which will be doing a lot of moving and lifting. Steel will enable extremely heavy lifting of objects many times the weight that an unpowered human could lift.

Like exoskeleton technology, steel technology is evolving. Lighter weight steel materials are coming onto the market, offering all of the benefits that steel has traditionally offered, with less heft.

Whether manufacturers choose steel for every part of an exoskeleton, or select this high-quality material for some important elements of the technology, it is clear that steel has a role in exoskeletons, now and in the future.

Cover photo courtesy of New Atlas.

Increasing Safety Requirements Demand Stronger Steel

With an increasing awareness about car safety – governments and regulatory agencies have been passing stricter safety regulations for autos. At the same time, consumers began demanding better protections, and car makers began building safer vehicles. While there are many factors to consider in building a safer car – airbags, seatbelts, glass type – the crashworthiness, or structural integrity, of the car’s body frame is one of the most critical.

In 1975 the average vehicle was manufactured with 55.9% mild steel and just 3.6% medium and high strength steels. By 2007, the percentage of medium and high strength steels used in an average car had increased by more than 230%. In the seventies, steel companies simply did not have the technology to make the steel that they can produce today because while it was strong, it was brittle and difficult to work with. Today, innovations in steel technology have given car makers the ability to use a variety of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) that exceed 1,000MPa – meaning it can withstand more than 100 kilograms-force per square millimeter – because they are both strong and formable.

To demonstrate how far we come in terms of building stronger, safer vehicles, watch this crash test performed by the IIHS for their 50th anniversary with a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu.

POSCO GIGA STEEL, the Industry’s New Standard for Strength and Formability

With a tensile strength of more than 1,000MPa, POSCO GIGA STEEL falls in the strongest categories of steel available to auto manufacturers today. In addition to providing the strength needed to meet safety regulations, POSCO GIGA STEEL is also ideal because of its formability and processability.

While recent years have seen ultra strength steels come on to the market with tensile ratings above 1,000MPa, these have often been rigid and brittle, making them difficult to process and mold into workable parts. POSCO GIGA STEEL bridges that gap by offering an automotive steel solution with high ductility and high tensile strength. This unique technology makes POSCO GIGA STEEL a unique fit for automakers seeking materials that can be processed into complex parts while also offering the highest levels of strength and safety for consumers.

Because of the combination of both strength and formability, SsangYong Motor unveiled their new G4 Rexton SUV with a body frame that contains 63% POSCO GIGA STEEL – the highest ratio ever achieved in a body frame design. Manufacturers like SsangYong Motor can use such high ratios of AHSS because of the technological advancements that have improved its formability in line with its improvements in strength.

The body frame of SsangYong Motor’s new G4 Rexton is manufactured with 63% POSCO GIGA STEEL.

Testing the Strength of POSCO GIGA STEEL and Aluminum

As lightweighting has become a priority for car makers seeking to build more fuel efficient cars, many have been looking toward alternative materials to step in as a substitute for steel. However, while offering certain benefits in weight, these alternative materials offer tradeoffs in strength and formability. On the other hand, POSCO GIGA STEEL offers an ideal solution in terms of strength, weight, and formability for auto manufacturers that must adhere to safety and environmental regulations along with consumer demand.

To compare the strength and impact energy absorption of POSCO GIGA STEEL (CR1180TRIP) and aluminum (Al5083), researchers at the KAIST National Center for Standard Reference Data performed an experiment in which a projectile was fired at three equidistantly spaced pieces of POSCO GIGA STEEL and aluminum.

Traveling at 185 meters per second, researcher Park Myung-joon noted that “the projectile ripped through all three pieces of aluminum while not even breaking one sheet of the POSCO GIGA STEEL.” Saying, “This experiment helped demonstrate how POSCO GIGA STEEL is more than three times stronger than aluminum making it ideal for automotive applications.”

Watch the video below to see how the experiment was designed, set up, and carried out.

POSCO GIGA STEEL is seeing increasing demand with car makers as they realize the dual benefits of strength and formability. At the Seoul Motor Show last month, Renault Samsung Motors and Chevrolet both unveiled new vehicles that were made using POSCO GIGA STEEL instead of aluminum – boosting the car body’s strength and safety for passengers.

Due to POSCO GIGA STEEL’s increased strength and high formability, the new Renault Samsung QM6 was able to maintain excellent safety standards with easy integration into its production process.

POSCO GIGA STEEL is unique because it combines both strength and formability. With strength more than three times stronger than aluminum and with formability properties that allow it to be made into complex auto parts – POSCO GIGA STEEL is the most ideal solution for car makers today.

Throughout April & May, The Steel Wire will explore the uses and benefits of POSCO GIGA STEEL and what POSCO is doing to lead the industry with new automotive steel solutions.

Don’t miss any of the exciting stories from The Steel Wire – subscribe via email today. 

POSCO hopes the team will be able to fully invest in training and perform to the best of their ability at the upcoming games.

The Rise of the Korean National Para Ice Hockey Team

While the Korean National Para Ice Hockey Team is now receiving more funding and exposure, their journey was not always smooth-sailing. As seen in the 2014 Korean documentary Parallel, the Korean para ice hockey athletes have faced many difficulties along the way. But, in facing their adversity with hard work, perseverance, and determination, they have found success as they prepare for the upcoming 2018 Winter Games.  

2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada

Until 2010, sledge hockey at the Winter Games had been dominated by Canada, the U.S., Norway, and Sweden. Starting at the Winter Games in Vancouver in 2010, the world started to notice the potential of Korean para-athletes as they finished in 6th place in their first Winter Games. Following the Vancouver Winter Games, the team continued their success from 2011-2013 at multiple international tournaments. These wins helped add momentum and build expectations for the team as they prepared for the Winter Games in Sochi.

Korea defeated Sweden 4-2 in the 2013 Para Ice Hockey Qualification Tournament held in Torino, Italy (Courtesy of Svenska Parasportförbundet Sveriges Paralympiska Kommitté)

2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia

In 2014, Korea’s ice sledge hockey team returned to the Winter Games. In their first match, Team Korea defied expectations with a 3-2 defeat of the hometown team and ultimate silver medalist, Russia.  However, after that monumental win, multiple team members suffered a series of injuries that helped lead to subsequent losses to the US, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Although the team won their 7th place match 2-0 against Sweden, players could not hide their disappointment.

Dongshin Jang, who scored the final goal in the match against Sweden, cited the team’s many injuries as one of the reasons for defeat adding, “We tried our best to win the medals in order to be recognized and get the support we need. We did well considering our conditions, but I cannot hide my disappointment.”

2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, Korea

In 2018, Team Korea will have a home rink advantage as the games come to PyeongChang. As they prepare to participate in the 2018 Winter Games, they have shown great progress. Just one year after their humbling defeat at Sochi, Team Korea defeated Poland 15-0 at the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships, the most points ever scored in a World Championship game.

Korea’s ice sledge hockey team pose for a team photo at the 2013 Para Ice Hockey Games held in Torino, Italy. (Courtesy of Luc Percival)

Team Korea’s training is in full swing as they are aiming to be one of the top five teams in the 2017 World Championships A-Pool. Trials will be held in Gangneung, Korea, from April 11-20, 2017. If Team Korea takes one of the top five slots, it will directly qualify for the PyeongChang 2018.

POSCO is supporting Team Korea to allow them to focus on their training for 2018. Team Korea has already succeeded far beyond expectations and POSCO is honored to be supporting such a talented team.   

Skating on Steel Sledges

Para ice hockey began at a rehabilitation centre in Stockholm, Sweden, during the early 1960’s. It was started by a group of Swedes who wanted to continue playing hockey despite not being able to skate anymore. Para ice hockey made its official debut on the world stage during the 1994 Lillehammer games.

Sledges for para ice hockey, made of steel, are set on two blades usually made of tempered steel. (Courtesy of Randykwapis)

Instead of skates, players use double-blade sledges that are typically made of steel. They are 0.6m to 1.2m in length with a curved front end and a seat for the athletes. The sledge was modified to be set on two 3 mm blades, which are usually made of tempered steel that allows the puck to pass underneath the sledge. Players use two sticks to propel the sledge over the ice and to hit the puck. The design, weight, and strength of the player’s equipment are critical. The ability for the sledge to withstand the weight of the players and strong impacts is critical. The steel used in the sledge can make a crucial difference to their performance as it impacts control on the ice and the durability of the blades.  

Steel Safety Day was established in 2014 by the World Steel Association to encourage better safety in the steel industry. The goal is ambitious, to achieve an “injury-free, illness-free and healthy workplace with zero incidents.”

Although a young event, it has quickly grown. Last year, more than 525,000 employees and contractors from 327 steel sites took part in the Steel Safety Day audit, identifying and preventing hazards in their workplace.

To that end, Steel Safety Day focuses on the five most common causes of safety incidents: moving machinery, falling from height, falling objects, gas and asphyxiation, and moving cranes.

This year, “falling from height” is getting the spotlight, as steel companies around the world re-examine their height-related safety measures and ensure their workplaces are as safe as possible.

Taking Precautions for Falling From Height

When working at great heights, safety experts recommend three major steps to reduce the risks.

1. Elimination. If you don’t need to do a task at height, then don’t. Stay on the ground.

2. Prevention. If you must work at height, make sure you have the appropriate guardrails, scaffolding and other safety equipment in place.

3. Protection. If 1 and 2 are not possible, then make sure each person is fully protected, with harnesses, life lines and other safety features while working at height.

In addition, the World Steel Association recommends 10 practical guidelines, such as building guardrails, scaffolding and other safety equipment, ensuring all people who work at height be properly trained, and well-maintained rescue equipment always be in place.

To better illustrate these ideas and reinforce its safety message, the World Steel Association has created this infographic about working at height.

And it created another infographic about Steel Safety Day in general.

The steel industry has increasingly focused on safety in recent years. In fact, since 2004, the steel industry has reduced time lost because of injuries by 71 percent. But safety doesn’t happen by accident. It requires deliberate and systematic measures by everyone, from management to employees.

As one of the world’s leading steel manufacturers, POSCO is dedicated to being a leader when it comes to workplace safety. And we look forward to the latest Steel Safety Day on April 28, when once again all eyes will be on preventing injury and keeping our sites safe.

Be sure you never miss any of the exciting steel stories from The Steel Wire by subscribing to our blog.

A previous article from last month that promoted the second annual Steel Safety Day outlined the five major causes of injury, which are: Moving Machinery, Falling from Heights, Falling Objects, Gas and Asphyxiation and Overhead Cranes. Each year, Steel Safety Day will focus on one of the five major causes. This year’s Steel Safety Day, which takes place on April 28, 2015, will focus on Moving Machinery.

To download the infographic, click here.

The infographic above lists the five key areas of Moving Machinery, which are training & competency, safe access, guarding & signage, isolation & immobilization, and roles & responsibility. The infographic is meant to give workers a better understanding of the risks and to prevent or reduce any injuries. Similarly, the video below goes into detail about these areas, and suggests a few tips on how to avoid accidents.

It is now our turn to be aware of these practices and apply them in daily life! And remember we learned about only first cause, there will be articles about other causes in the future, so please stay tuned!