Dongkuk CM, a Dongkuk Steel Group company specializing in cold-rolled and color-coated steel sheets, has developed an AI-based surface defect detection system, marking an industry first.
Surface inspection of color-coated steel has traditionally relied on manual checks by skilled workers. Dongkuk CM said its new system, DK SDD, digitally transforms this process, strengthening quality control while enabling early detection of recurring defects and systematic quality tracking. The company has secured core technology after around three years of R&D and is preparing a patent filing.
DK SDD is designed for premium color-coated steel with uneven surfaces and more than 20,000 color variations, areas where conventional systems struggle due to complex patterns. Using a hybrid model that combines rule-based methods with deep learning, the system analyzes high-resolution images captured in real time and detects defects even at production speeds of up to 130 meters per minute.
The technology has been commercialized on the color coating line at Dongkuk CM’s Busan plant and is undergoing validation on additional lines producing premium steel for home appliances.
The company plans full-scale commercialization in the second half of this year and aims to deploy DK SDD across all color-coated lines at Busan by next year, with automated integration into its manufacturing execution system to enhance quality management and reduce operational risks.
