Steel Mills

Stelco Invests in “Actionable Intelligence” Software
Written by Sandy Williams
March 12, 2019
Stelco, one of the most technologically advanced integrated steelmaking facilities in North America, will take another step forward in the technology realm. Stelco has signed an agreement with Canvass Analytics to use the Canvass AI software to transform operational data into “actionable intelligence.”
“By partnering with Canvass Analytics, we are systematically transforming our facilities into intelligent operations environments and augmenting a digitally oriented workforce in order to take the efficiency of our operations to the next level,” said CEO Alan Kestenbaum. “Canvass Analytics quickly demonstrated to us the usefulness of AI in certain areas of our operations and the potential of applying AI across our operations in order to increase our profitability and competitiveness.”
AI software automatically collects data during operations and identifies patterns and correlations that it uses to predict potential problems and to optimize production.
Canvass Analytics describes its AI platform as helping firms “transform plant operations to become more analytical-minded, giving them predictive insights that empower them to make decisions based on operational data rather than intuitions or gut feeling.”
BI Intelligence predicts manufacturers will invest about $70 billion worldwide on IoT (Internet of Things) solutions in 2020, compared to $29 billion spent in 2015. As IoT adoption in manufacturing accelerates, this leaves steel plants challenged with untapped real-time data being processed across legacy systems, devices and machines.
“As manufacturers digitize their operations floor, they are inundated with volumes of data coming from a multitude of sources ,” said Canvass Analytics CEO Humera Malik. “The next step towards intelligent operations requires real-time analytics power that transforms operational data into actionable intelligence. Canvass Analytics empowers industrial operating teams to take control and make data-driven decisions that improves their performance, reduces costs and unlocks new revenue streams.”
Canvass Analytics is funded by Google’s Gradient Ventures. Customers include leading manufacturing and oil and gas companies.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills

Algoma sees narrower Q2 loss but feels tariff sting
Algoma Steel expects a narrower sequential loss in the second quarter, but the company continues to be impacted by the US tariff situation.

Nippon plans to double steel output at USS operations: Report
Now that it has acquired U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel is planning a significant expansion of its US operations, including the construction of a new mill and more than doubling its steel output.

Algoma fires up EAF steelmaking with first arc
Algoma Steel reached a milestone in its transformation from blast furnace to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, with its Unit One EAF achieving its first steel production this week.

Nucor holds HR list price at $910/ton
Nucor is keeping its list price for spot hot-rolled coil unchanged after last week’s shortened holiday week.

Cliffs unveils new hydrogen-powered stainless line in Ohio
CEO Lourenco Goncalves, flanked by state leaders and union reps, touted the project as proof that US manufacturing is not only alive, but also advancing.