Abstract
This paper introduces Primetals Technologies' Through-Process Optimization (TPO) Services and Through-Process Quality Control (TPQC) System, which integrate domain knowledge, software, and automation expertise to assist steel producers in achieving operational excellence. TPQC collects high-resolution process and product data from the entire production route, providing visualizations and facilitating quality assurance. It also enables the application of artificial intelligence techniques to optimize processes, accelerate steel grade development, and enhance product quality. The main objective of TPO is to grow and digitize operational know-how, increase profitability, and better meet customer needs. The paper describes the contribution of these systems to achieving operational excellence, with a focus on quality assurance. Transparent and traceable production data is used for manual and automatic quality evaluation, resulting in product quality status and guiding the product disposition process. Deviation management is supported by rule-based and AI-based assistants, along with monitoring, alarming, and reporting functions ensuring early recognition of deviations. Embedded root cause proposals and their corrective and compensatory actions facilitate decision support to maintain product quality. Quality indicators and predictive quality models further enhance the efficiency of the quality assurance process. Utilizing the quality assurance software package, TPQC acts as a "one-truth" platform for product quality key players.