Application Effectiveness of QR Codes for Equipment Inspection and Patrol in Steel Plants
Original article: https://cli.im/article/detail/1878
The foundation of modern equipment management under the "TPM" (Total Productive Maintenance) model is the point inspection and scheduled maintenance system. Since the commissioning of steel plant equipment, equipment management has faced multifaceted challenges. Given the characteristics of modern equipment in the Taihang New Area—large-scale, continuous operation, high-speed, precision, and automation—how to optimize inspection and patrol workflows has been a key focus for steel plant equipment departments.
"To trace the purity of a stream, seek its source." Learning serves as both a ladder for growth and a pathway to conviction. In the complex environment of new equipment, new employees, and new operational conditions, continuous learning remains essential for adapting to modern equipment management practices.
The corporate equipment department has organized multiple training sessions and seminars on modern inspection management software, established dedicated inspection stations, deployed on-site personnel, and conducted nighttime equipment audits to reinforce compliance. With the support of Director Bao, the equipment team studied industry best practices through online research and iterative discussions, ultimately implementing QR code-based online inspections.
This QR code-enabled inspection and patrol system, referred to as "Scan-to-Inspect", offers the following advantages over traditional methods:
- Real-time anomaly reporting: Inspection data is uploaded instantly, with alerts automatically pushed to plant administrators and workshop sub-administrators for follow-up tracking.
- Transparent data access: Equipment inspection records and historical data changes are openly accessible via QR code scans.
- Dynamic content updates: Inspection criteria and checklists can be modified online.
- Anti-fraud safeguards: Mandatory photo/video uploads (disabling local media) and GPS location verification ensure inspector accountability.
By transforming employees' smartphones into portable inspection terminals through QR code scanning, this system has been piloted in converter maintenance and crane operations with positive workshop feedback. As information technology advances at light speed, equipment management will inevitably evolve alongside it, paving the way for more efficient industrial futures.
Reprinted from WeChat Public Platform: Steelmaking Technology《"Scan-to-Inspect" – A New Approach to Equipment Inspection and Patrol Management in Steel Plants》