Seznam abstraktů 2026: POSTEROVÁ SEKCE F

This article analyzes the state of research on robotic process automation (RPA) in the steel industry and proposes a classification of RPA applications in this context. The study employed a systematic literature review methodology and used the Scopus and Web of Science databases, complemented by industry materials. The data cover the period from 2000 to 2025. The search results show that, despite a relatively large number of publications on RPA in general (799 items in Scopus and 758 items in Web of Science), publications referring directly to the steel industry are scarce (1 item in Scopus and none in Web of Science) and take the form of single case studies. To address this gap, a three-dimensional classification of RPA applications in the steel industry is proposed, synthesizing general RPA capabilities with the specific requirements of metallurgical production management. The dimensions comprise: process area, process type, and level of advancement. This original classification organizes dispersed examples and provides a structured approach for implementing digital bots in metallurgical business processes. The article concludes by identifying the need for further empirical research to validate and refine the proposed framework in real-world industrial environments.

The aim of the study was to analyse the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in assessing the efficiency of companies with varying levels of automation, as well as to indicate how the selection of appropriate KPIs supports the implementation of smart manufacturing solutions in the foundry industry. The study compared traditional and automated production systems in terms of performance, quality, process stability and machine availability metrics. The empirical research was conducted as a comparative case study of two manufacturing plants within a Polish aluminium processing company, representing different stages of modernization and Industry 4.0 implementation. The research indicates that appropriately selected KPIs are the foundation of effective performance evaluation in the digital transformation process. The results reveal that fully exploiting the potential of automation requires not only technology, but also the integration of processes, data and organisational culture. The study may be useful for production managers, process engineers and decision-makers responsible for planning and implementing digital transformation objectives in the foundry industry.

Companies whose business is based on offering new product solutions are seeking techniques that support decision-making at early stages, such as conceptualization and prototyping. The growing importance of sustainable product development necessitates a holistic approach to this process. This is particularly challenging in the metals industry, which primarily focuses on materials, their sourcing, and extraction. These materials are closely linked to the level of satisfaction with the final product. Therefore, they should be considered across the entire product lifecycle. However, there is a lack of techniques to facilitate these decisions in the metals industry. Therefore, the aim of this article is to develop a model that supports the sustainable development of metal products by modeling materials selection throughout the lifecycle. The modeling takes into account key aspects such as quality, environmental impact, social responsibility, costs, and innovation. The model was developed in five main stages, and its main innovation is to consider alternative material solutions within the context of the final product lifecycle.

The growing level of order customization in steel structure manufacturing has significantly transformed production systems, particularly in welding operations. While high-mix production increases flexibility and responsiveness to customer requirements, it may also introduce process variability, longer changeover times, and a higher risk of welding imperfections. Despite these challenges, the quantitative relationship between customization intensity and welding process performance remains insufficiently explored. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the degree of order customization and selected welding process performance indicators. The research is based on data collected in a company manufacturing welded steel structures. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the level of customization in individual orders, and the results were combined with operational data related to nonconformities, rework frequency, and lead time. Correlation analysis was applied to determine the strength and direction of relationships between variables. The findings provide quantitative insight into how increasing customization influences welding process stability and quality performance. The results may support production planning and process management decisions in enterprises operating under conditions of high production variability.

The paper deals with the issue of chromium recovery from slag systems through its reduction with aluminum. Attention is paid in particular to the behavior of chromium oxides in the melt and their transformation into the metallic phase under appropriately selected conditions. Based on theoretical knowledge and available studies, an experimental procedure was designed to assess the efficiency of the aluminothermic reaction at various process parameters. The aluminothermic reaction was supported by silicon as another additional reducing agent. Experimental work was carried out on a pilot scale with an emphasis on temperature control and optimization of conditions for the course of reduction reactions. Aluminum and silicon were applied as active reducing elements and their effect on the chemical composition of the system and the resulting distribution of chromium was systematically monitored. The obtained findings indicate that the use of aluminum represents a promising approach for the effective use of chromium bound in slag. The work brings new knowledge about the course of aluminothermic reactions in slag melts and suggests the possibilities of their practical application in metallurgy. The work contributes to the circular economy by using waste aluminum to return chromium to the production cycle.

The growing accumulation of steel slag poses an environmental challenge while simultaneously representing a significant source of secondary raw materials for modern metallurgy. This study examines vibrofluid magnetic separation as an effective pre-treatment strategy for converter steel slag, enabling selective concentration of iron-bearing phases and the production of non-magnetic fractions suitable for further valorization. After particle-size classification, the slag was subjected to dry magnetic separation and subsequently characterized by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. Both magnetic and non-magnetic products were further investigated as precursors for ceramic glazes to evaluate their applicability in value-added material pathways. Colour characteristics of the fired samples were determined spectrophotometrically to assess the functional behaviour of the prepared systems. Magnetic fractions exhibited substantial iron oxide enrichment, indicating strong potential for metallurgical recycling, whereas the remaining material demonstrated promising applicability in thermally processed products. The proposed approach promotes near-complete slag utilization, limits residual waste generation, and supports circular economy objectives by integrating resource recovery with downstream material applications.

This paper summarizes research focused on the evaluation of metallurgical sludge generated during steel production in an oxygen converter, with the aim of preserving its high iron content for further use in the steel industry. The technology employs pyrometallurgical processing using secondary waste as a reducing agent. Under optimal conditions—at temperatures ranging from 1100 to 1200 °C in an oxygen atmosphere—a significant reduction in the content of harmful substances and an increase in the proportion of metallic iron were achieved. The resulting material is suitable as a secondary raw material, and usable zinc products are simultaneously produced. The research confirmed the technological feasibility of the proposed process and its contribution to the circular economy and the reduction of environmental impact

The environment of a free-stall barn is characterized by high humidity and the presence of aggressive gases, such as ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), generated during anaerobic manure decomposition. The combined effect of moisture, chemical agents, and intensive operation of steel hydraulic components promotes accelerated corrosion. This leads to material degradation, reduced service life, and increased failure risk, potentially threatening occupational safety. The aim of this study was to identify and assess the risk of corrosion damage to steel components of a hydraulic manure scraper and determine its impact on workplace safety. The Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method was applied to systematically identify and evaluate risks. The analysis included key steel components: the scraper press body, left and right scraper blades, scraper track bar, hydraulic cylinder cover, and guide rails. These elements are in direct contact with moisture and manure, intensifying corrosion processes. Other components, such as the hydraulic power unit, hydraulic cylinders, and control box, are equipped with corrosion protection; therefore, their corrosion risk was assessed as lower, though not eliminated. For each component, potential failure modes, corrosion mechanisms, and consequences for system operation and worker safety were identified, and risk levels were estimated according to FMEA criteria. The results indicate that the highest risk is associated with the scraper press body and blades. Their progressive corrosion may cause structural weakening and sudden failure, posing direct injury hazards. Guiding elements present moderate risk, potentially leading to increased friction and indirect overloading of the hydraulic system.

As mergers between higher education institutions increasingly become a global phenomenon, the existing literature has largely emphasized institutional performance, governance structures, and policy-driven outcomes, while the perspectives of students remain marginally addressed. This study provides a student-centered analysis of a large-scale university merger in Romania, focusing on students from the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering. In this context, the establishment of the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest represents both a potential paradigm shift and an illustrative case for universities in Central and Eastern Europe. The study examines students’ perceptions of the merger process, with particular attention to perceived advantages, challenges, and implications for educational quality, access to academic and research resources, and overall student experience. Using a student-centered analytical approach, the findings reveal that students are active and informed participants in the institutional transformation, perceiving the merger not merely as an administrative reorganization but as a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the university’s national and international positioning. The results indicate a predominantly positive assessment of the merger’s outcomes, especially regarding the diversification of academic programs, improved research and educational infrastructure, increased institutional prestige, and strengthened academic competitiveness within the field of Materials Science and Engineering. At the same time, the analysis identifies critical challenges related to resistance to change, legislative instability, and the absence of a clearly articulated long-term institutional strategy. By foregrounding student perspectives in a technical and engineering-oriented academic field, this study extends the current literature on higher education mergers beyond institution-level metrics and contributes empirical evidence on the sociocultural dimensions of organizational transformation. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of integrating student voices into merger strategies and offer relevant insights for policymakers, academic leaders, and researchers concerned with the sustainable governance of higher education institutions.

The Circular Economy is a new approach focusing on increasing material efficiency, minimizing waste, and circulating resource. This paper is about an analysis of circular economy and production management strategies in the metallurgical industries of the European Union (EU) and China. The metallurgical sector, one of the main industries, faces some problems related to environment, sustainable development, decreasing efficiency, and resource reduction. This article examines the different approaches taken by the EU and China to solve these challenges. The analysis shows different models. China uses a top-down, government-led approach that prioritizes resource security and large-scale industrial restructuring. China is adopting circular economy principles under its 14th Five-Year Plan, but faces issues such as massive overcapacity and high greenhouse gas emissions, and needs to improve its production management procedure through smart manufacturing and increased scrap utilization. On the other hand, the EU uses rules, regulations and market-based framework guided by supranational policies and legislation such as carbon pricing. The circular economy approach in the European Union is designed to achieve high recycling rates and quality waste management and emphasizes a move to lower-carbon technologies such as electric arc furnaces (EAFs) that aim to reduce CO2. The results show that while both EU and China are moving towards more sustainable future, their act in different political and economic manners. The conclusion is both approaches have their own advantages and face their own barriers. Moreover, greater international cooperation and knowledge sharing are necessary for metallurgical industry to achieve a sustainable and circular future.

The aim of the study is to conduct a structural analysis of the causes of accidents at work in the metallurgical industry using a multifactorial approach. The study is quantitative and based on the analysis of statistical data on accidents in companies engaged in the production of metals and metal products. The research procedure focuses on the identification and comparative assessment of the contribution of human, organisational and technical factors to the total number of accidents. The analysis uses a structured classification of causes and comparative methods to determine their structure and mutual proportions in the studied sector. The results obtained confirm the multifactorial nature of occupational accidents, indicating at the same time a clear dominance of determinants related to the human factor. Organisational and technical factors, despite their significant importance, show a smaller share in the overall structure of events. The results of the study emphasize the need to implement preventive measures including both the improvement of technical and organizational solutions, as well as targeted behavioral interventions to strengthen the culture of occupational safety in the environment in the metallurgical industry.

This study compares the impact of institutional restructuring on research performance in Metallurgical and Materials Science between China's Central South University (CSU) and matched European universities. Using a bibliometric and quasi-experimental analysis, it finds that CSU, formed through a centralized, mission-oriented merger in 2000, achieved significantly stronger gains in publication volume, citation impact growth, and international co-authorship compared to its European counterparts. The results also show CSU developed a clearer trajectory of scientific specialization in strategic materials subfields, while European universities exhibited more gradual and heterogeneous responses due to their incremental, decentralized reform models. The study concludes that centralized, mission-oriented restructuring can yield greater research performance gains than incremental reforms.