Polytec North America is proud to announce a strategic partnership with GMB, an American company renowned for its expertise in the production of quality long product cooling beds and rolling mill equipment. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in advancing safety, productivity, and digital transformation of steel mills across North America.
With decades of expertise supporting American steel mills, Polytec North America and GMB recognize the vital role these facilities play in driving the nation’s economy. This partnership is aimed at addressing the challenges of modern steel production, including the need for greater safety and efficiency, through innovative digital solutions.
At the heart of this collaboration is Polytec’s patented PolyTEST system, a fully automated robotic solution equipped with an advanced artificial vision system. This state-of-the-art technology enables the precise cutting and monitoring of steel samples from bars and other products directly on the cooling bed.
Together, Polytec North America and GMB are driving the evolution of steel production, empowering American steel mills with innovative solutions that combine tradition with the future of manufacturing.
GMB and Polytec North America forge a powerful partnership
Steel mills are essential to industries worldwide, producing materials that build cities, infrastructure, and cutting-edge technologies. However, the process of steel production faces persistent challenges, including the safety of workers, the efficiency of operations, and the need for consistent quality control.
GMB Heavy Industries, a leader in the design, manufacture and installation of steel mill equipment with decades of expertise, has joined forces with Polytec North America to address these challenges. Together, they aim to revolutionize the steel industry by combining GMB’s trusted equipment solutions with Polytec’s state-of-the-art robotic technology. At the center of this collaboration is PolyTEST, a groundbreaking system designed to make steel production safer, more efficient, and future ready.
A strategic partnership for a safer future
In the steel industry, even small inefficiencies or safety hazards can lead to significant operational and financial setbacks. GMB and Polytec North America have partnered to overcome these hurdles and bring advanced solutions to American steel mills.
This partnership represents more than technological progress—it’s a shared commitment to the safety and productivity of steel mills. By combining GMB’s expertise in cooling bed systems and rolling mill equipment with Polytec’s cutting-edge automation, the two companies are paving the way for smarter, safer production processes.
For decades, GMB Heavy Industries has been a trusted partner for steel mills, renowned for its high-quality cooling beds and rolling mill solutions. With deep industry knowledge and a reputation for reliability, GMB has consistently provided and installed equipment that meets the rigorous demands of steel production complemented by their experienced installation team since 1981.
By collaborating with Polytec North America, GMB is expanding its portfolio to include advanced automation technologies. This ensures that steel mills can not only rely on their proven systems but also adopt innovative solutions to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
What is PolyTEST?
At the heart of this partnership is PolyTEST, a robotic solution designed to eliminate the inefficiencies and risks of traditional steel sampling methods. PolyTEST combines a 6-axis robotic arm with an advanced artificial vision system to perform automated cutting and handling of steel samples. This revolutionary system ensures precision, safety, and efficiency in one seamless process through:
- Robotic arm: equipped with a custom-designed tool, the robotic arm performs precise cutting and sample handling on cooling beds.
- Artificial vision system: the system identifies the optimal position for cutting, guiding the robot to execute flawless operations every time.
This innovative design enables PolyTEST to perform continuous sampling without pausing production, making it a game-changer for steel mills.
PolyTEST was developed with a single goal: to address the challenges of traditional sampling methods. Its impact spans four key areas:
- Enhanced worker safety: In traditional sampling, operators must enter hazardous areas near cooling beds, putting them at significant risk. With PolyTEST, these risks are eliminated. The system’s fully automated design ensures that human operators never need to enter dangerous zones, creating a safer working environment and reducing the likelihood of accidents.
- Increased productivity: manual sampling often interrupts production, leading to delays and inefficiencies. PolyTEST eliminates this issue by performing sampling tasks continuously and automatically. By minimizing downtime, steel mills can maintain consistent output and improve overall productivity. This streamlined process is critical for meeting tight production schedules.
- Unmatched precision and quality control: the artificial vision system integrated into PolyTEST ensures that every sample is cut with exceptional accuracy. This precision leads to more reliable quality control, helping steel mills meet industry standards and customer expectations. With consistent, high-quality results, mills can reduce material waste and optimize their processes.
- Durability in harsh environments: steel mills operate in challenging conditions, with high temperatures, heavy machinery, and demanding workloads. PolyTEST is built to withstand these environments, ensuring reliable performance even in the harshest settings. This durability makes it a dependable solution for steel mills looking to modernize their operations without compromising on reliability.
PolyTEST delivers unparalleled benefits to the steel industry:
- Safety
- Eliminates the need for human operators in hazardous areas.
- Fully automated to ensure compliance with modern safety standards.
- Protects workers and reduces the risk of workplace incidents.
- Efficiency
- Enables continuous operation without production halts.
- Reduces labor costs and improves time management.
- Boosts overall productivity by streamlining sampling processes.
- Precision
- Advanced vision technology ensures accurate sample cuts every time.
- Improves consistency in quality control.
- Meets stringent industry requirements with ease.
- Integration
- Seamlessly integrates into GMB’s existing cooling bed systems.
- Enhances digital transformation without disrupting current workflows.
- Adapts to the unique needs of each steel mill.
Pioneering the future of steel production
The steel industry is entering a new era, where automation and digital transformation are no longer optional—they’re essential. GMB and Polytec North America are at the forefront of this evolution, providing solutions that combine the best of tradition and innovation.
GMB’s expertise in cooling bed systems and rolling mill equipment lays a strong foundation for the future. By partnering with Polytec North America, GMB ensures that steel mills can adopt state-of-the-art technologies like PolyTEST while maintaining the reliability and performance they’ve come to expect.