Smart factories are bringing AI, IoT and Big Data to the manufacturing industry.

#1 How Smart Factories are Changing the Manufacturing Industry

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is bringing AI, IoT and other automated technologies into people’s lives and changing the way they live and interact with one another. It is also bringing about change in the manufacturing industry as more companies embrace smart factories to further enhance efficiency, performance and safety. Take a deeper look at how smart factories are reinventing the manufacturing industry.

SEE ALSO: How Factories Produce Steel- the Smart Way

POSCO GIGA STEEL also offers electric vehicle manufacturers a lightweight material solution.

#2 POSCO GIGA STEEL Increases Strength, Improves Safety in Autos

This year, POSCO GIGA STEEL set a new, industry standard for strength and formability for auto steel. The advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) is an automaker’s dream come true as it falls into the strongest category of steel commercially available today. Plus, its lightweight property makes it the perfect solution for manufacturers trying to design safe, high-performing and sustainable vehicles.

SEE ALSO: Ask an Expert: Has Steel Achieved Its Peak in Lightweighting?

Lithium-ion batteries are found in some of the most popular devices available today. (Source: BGR)

#3 POSCO’s Innovation Shapes the Ever-Growing Lithium Market

POSCO is the world’s 5th largest steel producer, but it’s got more up its sleeves than just steel. This year, POSCO developed game-changing technology that extracts lithium from water in just 8 hours to one month. Traditionally the task takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months. To add, the new technology can achieve a purity rate of 99.9 percent and increases the lithium recovery rate to over 80 percent.

Lithium is a central component in rechargeable batteries for electronics such as smartphones, laptops and most importantly, electric vehicles (EVs). Heading into 2018, POSCO is well-positioned to be an industry leader in a rapidly-growing market for EV batteries.

SEE ALSO: The Fuel of Tomorrow: Mining Lithium for Tomorrow’s Cars

POSCO CEO Kwon Ohjoon fires up Pohang Blast Furnace No.3

#4 POSCO Gets “Smart” with Pohang Blast Furnace No.3

In June, one of POSCO’s oldest and the world’s 5th largest blast furnace got a makeover with some added AI. After undergoing 102 days of repairs, Pohang Blast Furnace No.3 came back much bigger with an expanded furnace volume of 5600㎥, compared to its original volume of 3795㎥ from its beginnings in 1978. Plus, Pohang Blast Furnace No.3 now has smart sensors to monitor operations and detect malfunctions or accidents before they happen.

SEE ALSO: How to Make Steel with an Old(ie but Goodie) Blast Furnace

Ajay Telrandhe in Quality Assurance and Manish Kochar & Chetan Waghchoure in Sales talk to the Steel Wire.

#5 Ask an Expert: POSCO Leads India’s Growing Automotive Steel Market

POSCO Maharashtra is POSCO’s leading subsidiary. Three of their employees gave the Steel Wire an insider’s look into the company’s success, despite a challenging market environment and government restrictions. The team in India implemented positive changes in the company’s steel quality, production processes and customer service to become a leading solution-provider for their automotive partners.

SEE ALSO: Revving Up for Growth: India’s Automotive Market is In Full Gear

EVs, autonomous vehicles and shared mobility will drastically change the auto industry. (Source: Electrek)

#6 Ask an Expert: Electric Vehicles and the Future of the Automotive Market

Stephen Zoepf, executive director at the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford University, was the first speaker at POSCO’s 2017 Global EV Materials Forum. Zoepf shared his vision of what the future automotive market will look like and its implications for car manufacturers, suppliers and drivers. According to research, 60 percent of the cars in the U.S. will be running on electric batteries by 2030, and those cars will mostly be part of a shared mobility service. Traditional ways of car production, distribution and consumption will undergo massive change and companies will have to find ways to stay competitive in the new market dynamics.

SEE ALSO: The Forgotten Fleet: Looking Back on Early Electric Vehicles for a Better Future

Steel dresses from Naim Josefi’s 2017 F/W GANGS collection. (Source: Naim Josefi)

#7 Ask an Expert: Fashion Forward with Steel

Fashion designer Naim Josefi opened new possibilities for steel application with his 2017 F/W GANGS collection which included dresses made of elaborate steel sequins and laser-printed jeans. He is also known for his 3D-printed high heels that provide the perfect fit. The artist has a passion for fusing technology into his work and finding more sustainable ways to create beautiful clothes and says he will continue to use steel as a high-tech, fashion material.

Heading into a new year in 2018, the Steel Wire promises to be the best source of steel industry news and continue to provide exclusive, insightful and interesting stories.

Marco Rosignoli – Bridge Building Expert

Marco Rosignoli has more than 20 years of experience in bridge construction and design. (Source: San Francisco Public Press)

Marco Rosignoli is an expert in bridge design, construction, forensic engineering, consulting and education, with over 37 years of experience in 21 countries. Through a two-part series, Rosignoli gave readers an in-depth look into emerging megacities and their infrastructure needs. According to Rosignoli, efficient transportation is the key to an economically competitive city, and megacities will call for mega-sized bridges made of high-quality steel. Read on to find out more.

Part one: Ask an Expert: Building Bridges for Megacities

Part two: Ask an Expert: Building Bridges for Megacities – Part 2

Naim Josefi – Fashion Designer

Naim Josefi is an innovative designer who mixes fashion and technology. (Source: Naim Josefi)

Naim Josefi runs a fashion company based in Stockholm, Sweden, and is widely known for winning Project Runway Sweden back in 2012. Josefi is a fashion designer who is blurring the boundaries between science and fashion as his projects include steel dresses, 3D printed shoes and laser-printed jeans. Find out why the designer chooses to work with steel and incorporate new technologies into his art.

Read on: Ask an Expert: Fashion Forward with Steel

Professor Bill Arnold – Oil Industry Expert

Bill Arnold is a professor in the practice of energy management at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business. Previously, Professor Arnold was Royal Dutch Shell’s Washington director of international government relations and senior counsel for the Middle East, Latin America and North Africa for 16 years.

Bill Arnold is an Energy Management Professor at Rice University. (Source: Society of Petroleum Engineers)

Professor Arnold gave readers an insider’s analysis of the rapidly-changing oil industry marked by unpredictable oil prices. He says, in the midst of change, there are newly-developing business opportunities and alternative sources of fuel such as natural gas that will subsequently create more demand for high-quality steel.   

Find out more: Ask an Expert: The Role of Steel in a Changing Oil Industry

Park Jong-jae – Automotive Columnist

Park Jong-jae is a motorsports columnist and the former editor-in-chief at F1 Racing Korea. Back in May, Park contributed a two-part series on POSCO GIGA STEEL. In the first part, Park reinforced the need for lightweight materials in the auto industry and highlighted some of the most successful cases of POSCO GIGA STEEL application from POSCO’s partners including GM Korea and Ssangyong Motors.

2016 Chevy Cruze Body Structure with POSCO GIGA STEEL. (Source: World Auto Steel)

Read more: Ask an Expert: POSCO GIGA STEEL Opens Door to the Future of the Auto Industry

In part two, he took readers through the 6 different types of POSCO GIGA STEEL and how they can benefit different parts of a vehicle.

There are 6 types of POSCO GIGA STEEL. (Source: Astro Awani)

Find more information: Ask an Expert: POSCO GIGA STEEL Goes Beyond the Limits of Traditional Lightweight Materials

Gil Bruvel – Steel Artist

Gil Bruvel is a veteran artist who creates sculptures using stainless steel. (Source: Gil Bruvel)

Gil Bruvel is an artist who works with stainless steel to create beautifully crafted sculptures of the human form. For the past 40 years, Bruvel has dedicated himself to painting, drawing and sculpting. He worked on a series of stainless steel sculpture for his Flow Series that depict aspects of nature mixed with the human body. Check out his creations and learn more about why Bruvel chooses to work artistically with steel.

Take a look: Ask an Expert: Capturing the Fluidity of Life in Ribbons of Steel – An Interview with Gil Bruvel

POSCO’s Masters of Korea

Every year, POSCO names its Masters of Korea. These masters are employees who have become experts in their respective fields through years of hard work and dedication. All 3 Masters of 2017 contributed to POSCO by developing new technologies, coming up with groundbreaking ideas and finding solutions to make POSCO safer, more efficient and highly competitive in the global steel industry. Find out who they are and their journey to becoming the POSCO Masters of Korea.

Master Nam Tae-Gyu has 40 years of experience working for POSCO.

Master Nam Tae-Gyu: POSCO Masters: 40 Years in the Making

Suh Gwang-Il examines machinery at a POSCO steel mill with colleagues.

Master Suh Gwang-Il: POSCO Masters: A Cold Rolling Expert

Master Kim Yong-Hoon played a key role in automating POSCO’s production systems.

Master Kim Yong-Hoon: POSCO Masters: Leading the Way Towards Automation

Thank you to the experts that helped make the Steel Wire shine like steel in 2017. In 2018, we look forward to even more opportunities to collaborate with even more experts to help provide you, our readers, a deeper understanding of steel and its applicability across industries.

Although wire rods are not always in the spotlight, they are widely used in many parts of a car. Steel wire rods are processed into parts for the steering and suspension systems, tire cords and bearings.

However, not all wire rods are the same, and improvements in production technologies can increase automotive performance, safety and cost-effectiveness. POSCO’s world premium steel wire rods provide such solutions to its automotive partners as the global demand for automotive wire rods continues to grow.

Take a look at the video below to see why more and more automakers are choosing POSCO’s wire rods, and where they can be applied.

Wire Rods in the Steering System

The steering system is what allows the wheels of a heavy vehicle to move in various directions and angles, with little force exerted by the driver. If the driver were to steer the road wheel directly, he/she would have to apply 16 times more effort. Fortunately, the movement of the steering wheel passes through the steering system of pivoted joints to the road wheels, which minimizes the burden of labor on the driver. The most common type of steering system is the rack and pinion, pictured below.

Wire rods make up the steering system of a car. (Source: Tires and Parts)

Traditionally, wire rods used for the pinion shaft, rack bar, ball housing, tie rod and tie rod end of the steering system have to be heat treated twice during production. POSCO developed a way to take out all the heat treatment from the production process, allowing manufacturers to cut costs significantly and reduce unwanted emissions.  

Wire Rods for Springs

Automotive springs are part of the suspension system of a vehicle, which determines the level of control the driver will have, as well as the level of comfort. The spring coils compress and elongate along with the movement of the wheels to absorb shock and keep the car body level.

Coil springs are part of the suspension system of a car. (Source: Pakwheels)

As such, the wire rods that make up the suspension system have to have high tensile strength and fatigue resistance. POSCO’s wire rods for automotive springs are made of ultra-clean alloying steel and have a 2.3 GPa tensile strength versus the average 1.9 GPa of traditional wire rods. When applied to the engine valve springs and coil springs for suspensions and stabilizer bars, it enhances the overall performance, safety and lightweight features of the vehicle.       

Wire Rods for Tire Cords

Wire cords undergo an extensive drawing process to be processed into tire cords, also known as tire belts. Tire cords are important because they act as the chassis of the tire, giving it strength and resistance against punctures. It also allows the tire to stay flat for maximum contact with the road.

POSCO’s wire rods during the production process. (Source: World Steel Association)

The quality of tire cords lies in its strength, elongation and stiffness, and require especially clean and high-strength steel to produce. POSCO’s wire rods for tire cords are also highly workable for producing extra-fine wire, meaning car manufacturers get the added benefit of lightweight along with enhanced safety and performance.

Wire Rods for Wheel Bearings

Wheel bearings are under a lot of pressure, literally. It bears the weight of the vehicle so that the wheels can turn as smoothly as possible with little friction. If a car’s wheel bearings don’t function properly or wear out, the tires can rub against the axle, the rubber can burn due to friction, the wheels can malfunction and cause screeching sounds. It is important for the bearings to be highly wear and fatigue resistant to minimize work hardening, crack and deformation. POSCO’s innovative production technology includes numerous tests and quality checks to ensure that wire rods for bearings are in perfect condition.

Wheel bearings bear the weight of the vehicle so tires don’t have to. (Source: MOOG Suspension Parts)

Recently, Research and Markets predicted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.50 percent for the global stainless steel wire rod market from 2017 to 2021. This is a telling sign that automakers will continue to seek high-quality wire rods in the midst of growing investment in electric and autonomous vehicles. Now with its second overseas facility up and running, POSCO will continue to meet the global demand for world premium automotive materials and provide innovative solutions to its partners.  

Cover photo courtesy of Steel Intelligence.

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Steel Keeps Sailors Edging Forward

Since the dawn of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, sailors have been testing their skills in the Games’ largest playing field. Within the sport of sailing, there are eight different classes of events determined by the shape and size of the yacht.

Each class of yacht has its own rules and regulations that include the types of material that can be used in the construction of the boat. But there is one material that is present in all eight classes – stainless steel.

Most of the yacht classes’ rigging, which includes the masts, yards, sails and cordage, require the same material to be used – stainless steel wire rope. With the force that the sea wind puts on the sails, it is important for the speed of the yacht and for the safety of the sailors that the ropes be as strong as possible, making stainless steel the perfect rigging choice.

The 470 class, a yacht with two crew members measuring 4.7 meters in length, requires that the rudder stock and tiller be made of stainless steel. The rudder stock and tiller are used to steer the yachts aggressively through the course, incurring significant pressure from the weight of the manned craft, the current of the sea and the force of the wind. It is imperative that these components be made of the lightest and strongest material available – stainless steel.

Shoes Built for a Full Gallop

The Olympic sport of equestrian is as unique as it is majestic. Riders and horses perform together in three event categories, and have developed the ability to feel each other’s emotions over countless hours of training.

Equestrian is the only Olympic sport in which men and women compete against each other on a level playing field while competing in three disciplines, eventing, jumping and dressage.

Both the horses and riders are tested for strength, endurance and skill, and like any other athlete, horses require special shoes in order to compete. Equestrian horseshoes must be reliable, safe and durable – making steel the perfect material.

Steel horseshoes act as a traction device for the horses on varying terrain, and allow them to cup more earth while galloping. Horseshoes enable the horses to hold their footing, prevent any slippage and improve their overall performance during competition.

As Olympic equestrian events are incredibly competitive in nature, the horseshoes are typically worn for longer periods of time. Because of the duration that a horse wears the shoes, steel is the preferred choice as it stronger and staves off the possibility of infections occurring.

Steel horseshoes have also been thought of as a symbol of good luck when hung with the ends pointing up. Although Olympic equestrian riders rely on their long-perfected skill and talent to perform, having a little extra help attached to the bottom of their horse’s hooves might prove useful.

A Metal Trusted by Gymnasts

Steel’s strength and versatility make it the top choice for international gymnastics competition equipment. Gymnasts are constantly risking injury by performing exciting aerial stunts on bars, beams and vaults. The equipment they use must be flexible and able to withstand the force that is exerted during each routine and exercise.

The uneven bars is a spectacular event that showcases the athletes’ strength, awareness and skill by swinging and flipping between bars set at different heights. Although the bar itself is made from a flexible composite material, the frame is made from stainless steel.

The spring balance beam’s structure is also made from steel. Not only are the legs and frame made from the ultra-strong metal, so is the spring that launches the athletes in the air as they perform feats of true balance and discipline.

The steel structures in gymnastics allow the gymnasts to put their years of training and practice to use when trying to achieve the ultimate dream – winning a gold medal.

The Most Important Olympic Metal

From magnificent Olympic venues, to sabers, shot puts and yachts, steel is used almost everywhere in the Olympic Games.

There is a reason that steel is the first choice when it comes to construction and equipment – it’s lightweight, corrosion-resistant and strong enough to withstand the abuse given by world-class athletes. With the predominant use of steel in the Games, it can be considered the most important metal in the Olympics. Although it is not necessary fought over like the other top three, it is the catalyst from which dreams and everlasting memories are created.

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In addition to affecting individuals’ health, foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli hinder socioeconomic development by straining medical facilities, and hurting national economies, tourism and trade. Moreover, food supply chains now cross multiple national borders, making such diseases an even bigger threat.

As such, providing sanitary conditions for the harvesting, processing, handling, storage, transport and preparation of food and beverages is one of the most important objectives of the global food processing industry.

To safeguard the public from foodborne illnesses, regulatory bodies around the globe impose hygiene regulations on food processing and packaging equipment. Stainless steel, among other advanced metal finishing processes, enable food processing and packaging facilities to meet industry regulations while preventing the outbreak of potentially fatal foodborne illnesses.

Super Steel

Stainless steel has proved itself worthy in areas where sanitation and cleanability are imperative. The material’s hygienic properties, corrosion resistance, strength and formability benefit both fabricators and users in the food and beverage industry, making it the go-to material in restaurants and public kitchens around the world.

Surfaces and equipment that come in contact with food products such as raw meat or eggs must not only be easy to clean and sanitize, but also have surfaces that naturally inhibit food adhesion and bacterial growth. Having no pores or cracks to harbor dirt, grime or bacteria, stainless steel is easily cleaned with soap and water.

When it comes to food preparation, stainless steel is suitable for vandal-prone environments where scratches might occur, and is highly durable and long-lasting, which helps to save costs. Unlike other materials such as copper and zinc, stainless steel is also generally inert to most of the acids and alkalis released by cooked foods, spices and additives. The metal does not normally get pitted—a form of corrosion that leads to the creation of small holes in the metal—thus avoiding the worst chance for bacterial infection.

In addition to helping to ensure sanitary surfaces and reduce the harboring of bacteria, stainless steel also helps to maintain the taste and color of edible products such as milk, processed foods and alcoholic beverages. Its sleek aesthetics are only an added bonus.

Clean and Green

While the material helps to improve food hygiene all over the world, stainless steel is becoming an increasingly popular solution to solve many of the problems related to the lack of hygiene in food-related environments specifically in emerging economies such as India, Mexico and China.

Because food in these countries is often prepared and sold in the streets, or even stored out in the open exposed to pollution and dust, stainless steel food containers help to minimize damage and risk to human health.

Moreover, much of the food in these countries is spicy, made up of aggressive ingredients and strong coloring agents. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel equipment and containers are suitable for handling such abrasive ingredients and help to reduce to a great extent the risk of food poisoning. In this way, stainless steel is far superior to plastics, aluminum and earthenware, as well as other materials.

And, of course, stainless steel is completely recyclable, making it not only environmentally-friendly, but also highly desirable in increasingly overpopulated nations where recycling is becoming more and more imperative.

Thanks to its corrosion resistance, strength, formability and recyclability, stainless steel will no doubt continue to be the preferred material in maintaining proper food hygiene in food-related environments around the world.

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