This document specifies a method using a barcoding system for tracing isolated defects that can be present in the following kinds of coated or uncoated steel flat products, for example:
- electro-galvanised surface;
- galvanised surface;
- galvannealed surface;
- cold rolled surface.
This method, named "quality tracking", aims to transfer additional material information to steel users, in particular the location of some isolated defects, in a reliable way. This method enables the manufacturer or purchaser to remove blanks or coils containing defects.
The method uses a 1D barcode to identify each section of steel strip.
NOTE 1 The stakeholders most involved in this technique are suppliers of steel flat products, car makers, appliance makers, part manufacturers, blanking line builders, steel processors, service centres, etc. All stakeholders can benefit from this project since defects can be traced, and, therefore, the steel containing defects can be eliminated or set apart of the production line.
NOTE 2 In the first stages of development, this method was called "defect tracking" (see [3]) and has been changed into "quality tracking" at the beginning of the standardization process.
NOTE 3 Quality tracking can be applied to other types of coated or uncoated steel flat products such as pickled and oiled, organic coated, and steels for packaging. Quality tracking can be applied for coiled materials for which the technology of quality tracking is applicable.
NOTE 4 If quality tracking data are used outside of the purpose of quality tracking, it is under the responsibility of the user.
NOTE 5 Quality tracking can be applied to other materials than steel.
NOTE 6 The way to collect the information to be transferred to the user is out of the scope of this document.