Metallographic image analysis in seconds: MiViA as leading provider of AI-based software for microstructure analysis of steel

TGFS

18 September 2023

TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen announces its investment in MiViA GmbH. MiViA is a spin-off of the Institute for Metal Forming at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. At the interface between materials and AI expertise, the founding team has developed mivia.ai, a product to accelerate and standardize the routine process of microstructure analysis. mivia.ai is already being used by well-known players in the steel industry. The TGFS funds will be used for the further development of the company and the development of additional functionalities.

Microstructure analysis is one of the most important testing methods in quality control and is also used in research and development. It is used to detect surface defects and, in particular, to evaluate the mechanical properties of workpieces. The goal is to detect potential defects in their early stages. Traditionally, microstructure analysis is a time-consuming routine process performed by specially trained metallographers or external service providers. „With mivia.ai, we can significantly relieve metallographers of a monotonous, repetitive activity“, emphasizes Dr.-Ing. Grzegorz Korpała, CTO of MiViA. „Within seconds, metalworking companies gain access to a professional microstructure analysis — and can integrate the result into their digital infrastructure and process structure in the sense of Industrie 4.0 Connected Industry. It is particularly attractive for international companies to have a uniform approach across all plants.“

MiViA’s microstructure analysis currently includes microstructure segmentation, crack detection, retained austenite and grain size determination. „With this offering, we are already reaching companies in steel processing and materials development, as well as laboratory service providers and specialized institutes at universities“, explains Jessica Schneider, CSO. „We are constantly working on further functionalities such as twin detection or the determination of decarburization to be able to offer a holistic analysis infrastructure for the industry“, adds Miriam Corcoran, CEO of MiViA. „To this end, we are in close contact with various companies, for example at trade fairs.”

Due to its international structure, the steel industry is largely unaffected by regional and sector-specific economic fluctuations. However, global competition is exerting strong cost pressure on the individual players in the value chain. At the same time, end customers have recently become more demanding in terms of quality. „In this environment, the use of automated microstructure analysis via artificial intelligence has enormous potential to save time and costs and to achieve more accurate results,“ summarizes Sören Schuster, Managing Director of TGFS. „With more than 10 years of experience in microstructure analysis, the metal and automotive industry and consulting, the founding team of MiViA combines impressive technical and operational expertise to realize this potential. We are very much looking forward to working together and developing the company.”

Your contact
Sören Schuster | Managing Director
+49 341 256963 30
soeren.schuster@cfh.de

Deal team TGFS
Fabian Schaile and Birthe Roß