Solid State Phenomena Vol. 223

Abstract: The article presents the optical inspection method for the correct assembly of bearings with rolling elements in the form of balls. During the assembly process, faults can occur of incomplete fill of the rolling elements in a bearing cage or a lack of rivets for fixing both parts of the cage. These are critical defects, disqualifying the bearing from the operation. In order to detect these faults, the method of backlighting was used in the form of a modular LED panel illuminator located under the inspected bearing. The chosen method of lighting provides a high contrast and good sharpness with a simultaneous low sensitivity to contamination that may arise in the field of view of the camera. In order to verify the developed method, an experimental automated research stand was made. For vision inspection, a modular vision controller with a monochromatic CCD camera was used. Due to the range of bearings subjected to vision inspection, the algorithm of the program allows automatic detection of the bearing type based on its characteristics. The operation of the vision system was presented for each of the individual stages of the inspection process. The functions used in the field of computer-based image processing and analysis were described. Examples of bearing inspections, with use of the developed method, were presented.

Abstract: The article presents a selected area of on-going research on the possibility of using intelligent computer-aided design systems for surface inspection of products manufactured in large batch processes. Systems based on machine vision are used wherever it is essential to obtain high efficiency, reproducibility, and where there is the need to use non-contact measurement methods. The IT solution significantly improves the design processes by automatically generating optimal configuration of machine vision systems intended for the detection of surface defects in manufactured products. General structure of the model and its individual modules, performing functions such as automatic component selection of machine vision systems, setting the angle of the light emission towards the surface of the analysed objects, and the selection of the range of light radiation are discussed. The individual configuration steps of vision systems for surface inspection, in which processes are implemented using expert systems making inferences based on both classical bivalent logic, as well as multi-valued fuzzy logic, are shown. The author presents the original methodology for the optimisation of structures forming vision systems intended for the reduction of components and costs associated with their implementation in physical structures, designed for use in production lines. The results of empirical studies of the calculation model are shown.

Abstract: Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a technique used for the detection of chemical warfare agents (CWA), drugs, toxic industrial compounds (TIC), and explosives, when rapid detection should be performed (from a few to several seconds) for trace amounts of these substances. An important development of IMS technology is differential ion mobility spectrometry (DMS). DMS is also known as Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS). Detection possibilities of apparatus using the DMS method are based on the occurrence of the different mobilities of ions (K) in the alternating electric field. This dependence is characterized by the alpha function (α).This presentation shows methods and examples of the identification of chosen substances. The results for the dependence of coefficient α are specific for different types of substances. This specificity is used to identify vapours and gases.

Abstract: The paper presents a method of optical inspection of manufacturing processes in the visible band. The presented model of a test bench was based on a monochrome CCD camera that allows you to conduct research in the field of digital image analysis. The wavelet transform was proposed for the detection of objects and was compared with a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The article presents an analysis of the results of experiments for selected objects using the proposed method, allowing the evaluation of the correctness of classification. The paper also presents an analysis of the efficiency of the compared methods. In the article, the advantages of using the proposed method in the sample manufacturing process have been discussed.

Abstract: The article describes the development of the atomic force microscope “Terra AFM.” The microscope has been designed and built by the authors as a device for research applications in advanced technologies in industry and in teaching. The modular design of the microscope - the majority of mechanical, electronic and informatics solutions - facilitates the development and introduction of new functionality. Two new modules, correction of piezoelectric scanner nonlinearity and advanced imaging, using the measurement of the amplitude and phase of harmonics of the signal from the probe in the intermittent contact mode, are presented.

Abstract: The system developed at the Institute for Sustainable Technologies – National Research Institute is intended for heat recuperation efficiency tests for recuperators used in ventilation systems in modern, passive buildings. It allows a complex and precise assessment of the efficiency of recuperators, directly influencing the cost of energy used to provide thermal comfort inside a building.

Abstract: The article presents the use of thermographic technique as a method used to study the temperature distribution on the surface of the elements of a prototype system for testing air-handling units with heat recovery. Based on the research methodology of prototype devices developed at the Institute for Sustainable Technologies – National Research Institute, the system’s components constituting a potential source of failure connected with thermal insulation were identified. The article presents the infrared testing results of thermal imaging for a calorimeter chamber recreating real working conditions of a recuperation station and conduits linking the scrutinized stations tested with the chambers. The use of thermography to diagnose failure spots in the thermal insulation of housings, thermal bridges, and leakages of recuperators is described. The results were used to determine the actions to improve the energy consumption index of the station.

Abstract: Manufacturing technologies using laser radiation energy are gaining increasingly new applications. It results from their numerous advantages, most of all, from the selectiveness of a laser beam within the spatial and temporal domain. Although the laser beam is a very precise tool, it restricts the tolerances of component preparation. If such increased requirements drive previous processes, it will result in the increase of manufacturing costs of these parts. Hence, solutions are sought in the mechatronics paradigm, which corrects mechanical imperfections by means of electronics and software. Examples of the above solutions are follow-up and adaptive control systems. The paper presents examples of developed and implemented control systems of laser manufacturing processes with machine vision feedback. They include remote cutting with CAM-MV and laser cladding with a thermal or geometric closed-loop.

Abstract: Unmanned ground platforms are increasingly used to perform tasks under direct threat to the operator’s life and health. Separating an operator from a controlled machine places high demands to its steering system. The requirement of reliability put to such platforms in terms of potential threats requires their steering systems to be very precisely controlled and tested at the stage of construction. The key element in the steering process of unmanned ground platforms are surroundings display systems that determine the success of conducting rescue operations. This paper presents an unmanned ground platform controlled by remote operator.

Abstract: The paper presents ways to simulate objects and industrial processes. The use of simulation in the didactic process is to support the study of programming and visualization processes. It allows one to familiarize students with aspects of the key components of an industrial process, and it allows a better understanding of the algorithms process.