The Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium (SMSVC)

The consortium is focused on supporting the development and implementation of simulation and visualization technologies to address major technological issues and related barriers that inhibit the growth of advanced manufacturing in the steel industry to ensure a competitive advantage for steel manufacturing.

SMSVC Goals and Objectives

Through the support of a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AMTech Planning Grant, CIVS founded the Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium (SMSVC):

To provide a collaborative environment to exchange ideas and concepts related to process operation, optimization, decarbonization, digital transformation, and other critical research & development areas
To develop new modeling tools and technologies for the simulation and visualization of industrial processes and procedures which can aid and improve advanced manufacturing

To provide resources for education, community, and industry outreach
To provide an experiential learning experience to students
To continuously develop infrastructures and technologies

Areas of Focus

Workplace & process safety
Workforce development
Energy efficiency
Environmental impacts
Reliability and maintenance
Operational efficiency
Smart manufacturing
Raw materials utilization

Consortium Structure

The work of the consortium is coordinated and operated by the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS) at Purdue University Northwest.
Dr. Chenn Zhou, director of CIVS, serves as the director of the consortium. CIVS will provide support and staffing for the administration of the consortium.
The Board of Directors oversees the initiatives and activities of the consortium and sets policies designed to facilitate the consortium’s achievement of its mission and objectives.
The Advisory Steering Committee provides advice to the consortium director and acts as a sounding board to the director representing the interest of the consortium.
The Business Industry Leadership Team, who are industry executives, established the charter, vision, mission, and values for the consortium.
Interested parties should contact Dr. Chenn Q. Zhou at [email protected] or call +1.219.989.2765. You can find examples of successful simulation and visualization projects under the Research Areas tab.

SMSVC Member Benefits

Industry-led decision making
Accelerated innovation
Value-added solutions
Direct access to students
Rapid access to research results
Collaborative efforts and resources
Leverage from various funding agencies

Specific Benefits for Suppliers

Expanded exposure and consideration of your company’s products and technologies
Real-world research projects benefitting both steel producers and suppliers
Leverage of CIVS relationships with affiliated industries
Opportunities to expand and deepen relationships with steel producers

Work with steel producers and suppliers to improve global competitiveness
Validation of your new products
Customized technologies for improved efficiency and optimization
Utilization of government and national labs resources
Collaboration with complementary companies for funding leverage

CLICK HERE for more Benefits information

The collaboration between Purdue University Northwest and U. S. Steel, as well as other industry team members, demonstrates the power of partnership in tackling both domestic manufacturing competitiveness and climate change. Through the Integrated Virtual Blast Furnace (IVBF) project supported by DOE, U. S. Steel Gary Works Blast Furnace #14 operations positively impact process optimization and energy efficiency improvements. At the same time, the project highlights the significant potential to reduce CO₂emissions. DOE is proud to support this important project for the steel industry. We look forward to future collaboration
– U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) representatives Dr. John ‘Nick’ Lalena (R&D Projects Technology Manager) and Kristen McDaniel (Technical Project Officer, Advanced Manufacturing Office)

Thank you to our current consortium members for their continued support!

The SMSVC is a nationwide, industry-led consortium of steel producers, suppliers, and users—including energy suppliers and utility companies—whose purpose is to address major technological issues and barriers related to growth, and to ensure a competitive advantage for American steel manufacturing. The partners in the SMSVC are visionary leaders moving the steel industry of the United States toward a promising future. The consortium includes partners in internationally recognized businesses and organizations in steel production, as well as universities, energy, manufacturing, government, and more. Current members include: ArcelorMittal, Charter Steel, Cleveland-Cliffs, Enbridge, EVRAZ North America, Gerdau, Linde, NiSource NLMK USA, Nucor, SSAB, Steel Dynamics, Stelco, Tata Steel, and U. S. Steel.