An innovation and quality-control project
Our firm commitment to improving steel quality has led us to take part in the European research project Shell-Crack (RFCS-2023). Acciaierie di Verona participates together with a consortium of ten European partners, including universities and research centres, to develop an advanced predictive system. This joint effort aims to strengthen quality control and increase the efficiency of the continuous casting process. The project has been operational since July 1 2024, and will conclude on December 31 2027.
Optical technology and predictive model: innovation in billet monitoring
At the heart of the project is the installation of an innovative optical system on one of our six casting strands. This system will analyse billet quality in real time, accurately detecting defects such as rhomboidity (rhomboid or oval sections instead of square) and cracks (fissures or fractures on billet edges). The ambitious goal is to combine the collected data with the casting process parameters. A predictive model will be created from this integration, capable of anticipating the formation of defects, reducing scrap, and optimising the process. We also plan an industrial-scale testing phase for the optical system developed by our partner SAPOTECH.
The competitive advantage of Acciaierie di Verona
The Shell-Crack project represents a strategic investment in technological innovation and product quality. Through European collaboration and the implementation of state-of-the-art monitoring systems, Acciaierie di Verona positions itself at the forefront of the steel industry. This project will enable unprecedented process control, ensure the production of billets of the highest quality standards, and consolidate our leadership in the sector.
