Samsung Heavy Industries has built the shipbuilding industry’s first automated pipe spool manufacturing facility, accelerating its transition toward a smart shipyard.
The company announced on March 16 that it has officially begun operations at its automated pipe spool factory, named PIPE ROBOFAB, following a completion ceremony held at the Chilseo Industrial Complex in Haman, South Gyeongsang Province. The event was attended by Samsung Heavy Industries Vice Chairman and CEO Choi Sung-an, officials from Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and around 70 representatives from major shipowners and industry partners, including ENI and MISC.
Choi Won-young, chairman of Samsung Heavy Industries’ labor-management council, said artificial intelligence and automation represent an inevitable trend across industries. He added that as shipbuilding orders increase, the company will continue to expand employment opportunities while maintaining close communication between labor and management to ensure job stability and safe working environments.
Pipes serve as essential infrastructure within ships, transporting fluids throughout the vessel. Pipe spool production involves welding various components such as elbows, tees, and flanges into a single assembled unit according to design specifications.
Samsung Heavy Industries has developed a smart system that integrates the entire production process—from pipe design and automated logistics to high-precision machining, measurement and alignment, and welding. Vision AI technology has also been incorporated to complete the automated production system.
PIPE ROBOFAB covers a total floor area of approximately 6,500 square meters and has the capacity to produce around 100,000 pipe spools annually. By applying advanced robotics technology to automate the manufacturing process, the facility significantly reduces production time while ensuring consistent quality and improved workplace safety.
The company is also using the new facility as part of its broader push toward digital transformation in shipyard operations. Building on the Engineering Data Hub (S-EDH) established in October last year, Samsung Heavy Industries is integrating design, procurement, and production processes across its operations.
PIPE ROBOFAB is considered a flagship example of Samsung Heavy Industries’ “3X strategy,” which incorporates AI transformation (AX), digital transformation (DX), and robotics transformation (RX) into manufacturing environments.
Vice Chairman Choi Sung-an said the facility represents a major innovation in pipe spool production, combining the company’s accumulated welding expertise with advanced 3X technologies.
“PIPE ROBOFAB will serve as a milestone in strengthening our shipbuilding manufacturing competitiveness,” he said.
