Integrated machine vision projects on show

Computer vision programmes pioneered by the European Commission's EUTIST-IMV project are to be unveiled for the first time at next month's Automaatio 03 exhibition in Helsinki.

Computer vision programmes pioneered by the European Commission's EUTIST-IMV project are to be unveiled for the first time at next month's Automaatio 03 exhibition in Helsinki revealing significant business and environmental benefits for the timber and associated industries.

The EUTIST-IMV (European Take-up of Essential Information Society Technologies - Integrated Machine Vision) stand in the exhibition's "Vision Boulevard" will show the results of several projects using IMV to support different stages in the timber process, from cutting raw logs to ensuring new levels of quality wooden window frame manufacture.

The projects include Ultra, which uses X-ray tomography techniques to create 3D reconstructions of logs to determine where knots exist in the wood and ensure optimum cutting potential.

It will be the first time that this project has been shown anywhere in the world.

"Computer vision technology has a major role to play in the European timber industry - bringing significantly improved yields, greater precision and the environmental bonus of having less wastage in a world becoming more aware of making the most of the natural resources available to it", said Antti Soini, Director of Research and Development for Automation Technology at Satakunta Polytechnic in Pori, Finland.

"The European Commission's programme is opening up many opportunities for different industry sectors to utilise the power of this technology and we will be showing many other applications on our stand, from security to glass production and baking".

Visitors to the EUTIST-IMV stand will also have the opportunity to see a system in action.

A demonstration of the Therm project, which uses computer vision to monitor the temperature and performance of rollers used in paper making, will illustrate how the computer uses camera images to access the data in fractions of a second.

It is believed to be the only IMV system using infra-red signalling.

Markku Koyo, Senior Development Engineer at Metso Paper in Jarvenpaa, Finland - the Therm trial site - said that increased machine usability was a significant benefit, with less time spent on maintenance.

Unpredictable, time consuming repairs were also avoided, with operators receiving a warning before serious damage was done.

"With this new infra-red camera system we are able to move from one-dimensional defect detection on to the inspection of the whole paper mill roll surface two-dimensionally", he added.

Several other innovative IMV projects will also be featured by the European Commission.

They include: Knot - the use of machine vision and learning software to improve the efficiency and yield of sawmills; Seesaw - a system for monitoring and optimising the usage of sawblades in a sawmill; Woodpro - bringing greater accuracy, flexibility and ease of work to wood window production.

Safeglass - the use of automatic visual inspection systems to improve the quality of strengthened glass products; Fenceguard - using modern cognitive imaging and fibre optic components to control the security of fence perimeters; Cookies - a visual inspection and feedback control system of the several cooking zones of an industrial heavy-duty oven for biscuits and other baked products; and Ipti - a system to control the cutting of animal hides.

"This is the greatest number of IMV projects ever displayed by the European Commission under one roof and it will instantly give the visitor an insight in the sheer scale and potential that this technology has for the European market place and beyond", said Soini.

EUTIST-IMV comprises 23 IMV pilot projects aimed at different applications and sectors.

The applications include automatic inspection, measurement and control applications.

There are over 70 companies from all over Europe involved.

These companies represent a diverse range of industries, including electronics, papermaking, food, textiles and timber.

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