Data-based methods for quality improvement by process step integration

The improvement of product quality is a continual challenge in the steel in dustry. In this paper it is demonstrated that data-based methods can be use d successfully to optimise existing processes in terms of the attainable pr oduct quality. The starting point for such an optimisation is to utilise da tabases with process integrated steps, which contain valuable information a bout the total chain of treatment steps and thus about the origin of the pr oduct. Besides the challenge to information technology, the working steps f or the analysis of the data and the modelling afterward are of decisive imp ortance. Both are explained here. It becomes clear, that by application of modern methods of data analysis and data modelling the development of power ful and versatile usable quality models is possible. In order to be success ful it is important to have powerful and user friendly software tools avail able. Therefore a solution is presented here, which supports the user effic iently in all necessary working steps by appropriate function modules.