And it's going to get more so as the industry moves more and more to automation. To keep things running, you need a whole set of new skills about some things that didn't even exist a few years ago. Steelmakers are computerizing maintenance functions more and more. Most already collect and transmit data on personal computers, but others are looking for a more sophisticated and all-encompassing computer network. One guideline is to use the manufacturer's specifications when the equipment is first installed.
Most equipment can operate satisfactorily somewhat above or below the nominal.
That range is what we have to determine and enter into the software as our standard. The optimal computer system would operate with data collected not periodically but continuously. This requires on-line test and inspection equipment, which generally is already available from manufacturers. Also available is diagnostic software that can immediately suggest ways of correcting any anomalies it detects. At mills like Nucor Berkeley, the monthly or quarterly inspection by an outside contractor, supplemented by spot checks downloaded by modem when problems seem to occur, has worked well so far.