bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital analysis system for automation and measurement
Authors: Foith J.P. , Eisenbarth C. , Enderle E.
Published: February 2008

The digital analysis system SAM (sensorsystem for automation and measurement) is suitable for inspection, workpiece handling, assembly and process control. Unlike other systems SAM performs part of the analysis with image analysis processors working in parallel at television speed.
Video rate recognition of plane objects
Authors: Vuylsteke P. , Defraeye P. , Van Daele J. , Oosterlinck A. , Van den Berghe H.
Published: February 2008

Recognition of plane objects can be achieved by calculating the area and first and second moments of the object. In the work described a hardwired videoprocessor linked to a 16‐bit microprocessor enables the recognition to be achieved within 30 milliseconds.
Using a tactile sensor to guide a robotic welding machine
Authors: Bollinger John G.
Published: February 2008

Programming a multi‐axis robotic device to follow complex contours can be difficult and time consuming. A United States University working with the automotive division of a US company has evolved a prototype system utilising a capacitive displacement transducer.
Sight is the key to solving problems in industrial inspection and robotics
Authors: Rossol Lothar
Published: February 2008

There are still many barriers to the industrial use of vision. One company attempting to overcome the barriers is General Motors. They have developed several practical methods, some of which are described here.
Removing surface defects from brass die castings
Authors: Graham D. , Woodwork J.R.
Published: February 2008

Automatic polishing of brass die castings presents problems which are common to many robotic investigations. Walker Crosweller Ltd. have given Bath University's School of Engineering the task of solving the problem and a flexible polishing machine with vision feedback is being developed.
Vision system separates gathering from processing
Authors: Robertson G.I.
Published: February 2008

The V‐1000 is an intelligent binary system from Control Automation Inc., which employs a novel hierarchical control to separate the functions of data gathering and data processing. It uses capabilities of commercially available computers, and offers a high performance at a low cost.
One vision system handles parts assembly and weld seam tracking
Authors: Villers Philippe
Published: February 2008

At last month's International Symposium on Industrial Robots in Paris the President of Automatix reviewed applications of his company's Autovision II vision system in a variety of robot tasks. This article is based on his paper.
Mobile robot turns to colour sensing
Authors: Monchaud S. , Prat R.
Published: February 2008

A simple ultrasonic sensor coupled with a colour sensing system has been designed and built in the laboratory of the French National Institute of Applied Science at Rennes, and mounted on the laboratory's VESA mobile robot. It can distinguish simple configurations of obstacles and measure their distance from the robot, and within certain limits of illumination can classify obstacles to eight reference colours.
Application of pattern recognition and image processing
Authors: Vanderheydt L. , Vuylsteke P. , Jansen P. , Oosterlinck A. , Van den Berghe H.
Published: February 2008

This paper is part II of an overview of the work of the Pattern and Image Processing group of the Leuven University, presenting some of the industrial applications.
Vision system sorts castings at General Motors Canada
Authors: Baumann Richard D. , Wilmshurst David A.
Published: February 2008

The first production implementation of the General Motors Consight vision system at the St. Catherines, Ontario, foundry is successfully sorting up to six different castings at up to 1,400 an hour from a belt conveyor using three industrial robots in a harsh manufacturing environment.
The automatic inspection of aerosol sprays using visual sensing
Authors: Batchelor B.G. , Cotter S.M.
Published: February 2008

The automatic visual sensing of aerosol sprays has many advantages over alternative techniques. This article suggests various measurements which could form the basis of an inspection system and illustrates their use on sprays produced by a can of furniture polish. The extension of these ideas to other applications is also discussed.
Eye·in·hand robot vision scores over fixed camera
Authors: Loughlin Clive , Hudson Ed
Published: February 2008

The advent of low cost miniature solid state cameras now makes eye‐in‐hand robot vision a practical possibility. This paper discusses the advantages of eye‐in‐hand vision and shows that with the Unimation VAL operating system it is easier to use than is possible with static overhead cameras.
Proximity sensing uses re·entrant loop magnetic effect
Authors: Beni G. , Hornak L.A. , Hackwood S.
Published: February 2008

Advantages claimed by the authors for this type of magnetic sensor for embedding in robot fingers are that it is independent of the rate of approach, it is reliable in hostile environments, and it yields output easily processed by digital electronics.
Grabbing moving objects with visual feedback
Authors: Gelbgras Daniel , Bogaert Marc
Published: February 2008

This paper describes a system to grasp oscillating shock absorbers on a variable speed aerial conveyor. The system includes a set of cameras and a gripping tool mounted on a conventional robot.
Detection of cracked screw heads using a linescan camera
Authors: Wallis C. , Franks I.T.
Published: February 2008

Cracked screw heads have, as this paper describes, been automatically detected by a solid state electronic linescanning camera. The equipment which includes an automatic feeding system and fibre optic component illumination is controlled by a microprocessor.
Brillant future seen for Japanese optoelectronics
Authors: Machida Yoji
Published: February 2008

A remarkably bullish forecast of the growth prospects for Japan's optoelectronics industry was contained in a report on the industry published earlier this year by the Economics Division of the Long Term Credit Bank of Japan. The industry was seen as growing to be as important as the electronics industry, with which it was seen as forming the mainstay of Japan's future industry. Believing it would be of interest to a wider readership we publish here a shortened version of the report.
Universal system the target in Japan
Authors: Hartley John
Published: February 2008

Voice recognition research moves towards integration with knowledge base as Isi circuits reduce the cost of systems now available.
Location of glass tubes on a mesh belt conveyor
Authors: Browne A.
Published: February 2008

This article describes a computer vision system which was designed to locate glass tubes on a conveyor.
Speckle interferometry and other inspection techniques
Authors: Butters John N.
Published: February 2008

This paper discusses some of the general methods by which laser light has been used in engineering measurement. Some objectives set for optical measurement in this field are high repeatability, good resolution and employment of non‐contacting equipment, in the sense of both light source and detector being some tens of millimetres away from the object avoiding obstruction to other processes.
Vision guides robots in unpacking and assembly
Authors: Saraga P. , Newcomb C.V. , Lloyd P.R. , Humphreys D.R. , Burnett D.J.
Published: February 2008

Parallel projection optics is a feature of the vision control employed by Philips for unpacking deflection units from cartons using a gantry robot and camera, and for mounting them on picture tubes using a PUMA and three cameras.
WISARD·a radical step forward in image recognition
Authors: Aleksander I. , Thomas W.V. , Bowden P.A.
Published: February 2008

The WISARD recognition system invented at Brunei University has been developed into an industrialised product by Computer Recognition Systems under licence from the British Technology Group. Using statistical pattern classification it already shows great potential in rapid sorting, and research indicates that it will track objects with positional feedback, rather like the human eye.
Array processor speeds postcode reading
Authors: Appleby Charles
Published: February 2008

The very high processing speed of its Linear Array Processor has enabled British Robotic Systems Ltd to win a contract for six character reading systems in a major automation project involving reading of postcodes of poor print quality on DHSS pension books
Vision·based component feeder teaches itself
Authors: Browne A.
Published: February 2008

Rapid interpretation of component profile data from a linescan camera makes possible a low‐cost method of detecting parts orientation in a feeder. This article was presented as a paper at the 5th International Conference on Assembly Automation, 22–24 May 1984, Paris, France.
Enhanced electron microscope imaging aids inspection
Authors: Sim Fraser
Published: February 2008

A new digital image processing system for slow scan devices such as scanning electron microscopes has overcome current difficulties in inspecting components such as photoresist masks which, because of their insulating properties, affect the electron microscope picture.
Speech recognition for computers in industry
Authors: Upton Jon
Published: February 2008

Speech data entry for computers offers many advantages — this article considers the vocabulary and training needed for its potential to be reached.
Prospects for speech synthesis in industry
Authors: Scharf Tom
Published: February 2008

This article looks at the developments that made customised speech synthesis possible and the potential applications.
Speech control of robots
Authors: Okulewicz Marek
Published: February 2008

The voice recognition system described in this paper is intended to replace a teaching pendant in industrial robots. It allows faster and more convenient programming.
Airborne ultrasonic imaging of a robot work space
Authors: Kay L.
Published: February 2008

The author describes a newly‐developed in‐air resolution focused beam scan imaging system
Sound pattern recognition supports automatic inspection
Authors: Beuter Karl , Weiß Rainer
Published: February 2008

Acoustic pattern recognition has shown itself to be a powerful inspection aid.
Wavelength encoded optical fibre sensors
Authors: Hutley M.C. , Stevens R.F. , Putland D.E.
Published: February 2008

The use of optical fibres in sensors is opening up new possible applications for industrial measurement
New transducer, a unique concept for weighing
Authors: Günther‐Hanssen Sven
Published: February 2008

The load cell constitutes the most important part of an electronic scale for industrial weighing. It is basically the quality of this that determines the profit gained.
Low cost, high speed sensing of knitted fabrics
Authors: King T.G. , Murphy B.J.M. , Vitols R.
Published: February 2008

An automation project for linking knitted components has required development of a high‐speed vision sensing system
Fibre optic sensors—future light
Authors: Main Roger P.
Published: February 2008

The use of fibre optic sensors is a relatively new development but the future applications are enormous
Hybrid expert systems for image analysis
Authors: Dixon Mark J.
Published: February 2008

Software is now being developed which will allow non‐expert programmers to analyse complex images.
Research into error recovery for sensory robots
Authors: Lee M.H. , Barnes D.P. , Hardy N.W.
Published: February 2008

Error recovery is the detection and correction of abnormal events or conditions in the operation of a robot system.
New opportunities with fibre‐optic measurement
Authors: Ovrén C. , Adolfsson M. , Hök B. , Brogårdh T.
Published: February 2008

The rapid advances in recent years made within the field of fibre optics and opto‐electronics open up new opportunities within many areas.
The shape of things to come
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

Following a deal with Machine Vision International of the USA Fairey Automation aims to put automated bodywork paint inspection into the auto industry.
Using visual inspection on the Ford assembly line
Authors: Dixon Mark J.
Published: February 2008

A vision system has been installed on the fully automated framing line at Ford, Southampton to check for incorrect body configurations.
Oil and gas industry looks to space
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

Many types of sensing from satellites and aircraft are giving the offshore oil and gas industry increasingly comprehensive information.
Measuring up to expectations
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

Simple principles plus electronics are helping a small instrument company to anticipate a new market.
Expert systems go on‐line at Blue Circle
Authors: Taunton Chris
Published: February 2008

LINKman, a supervisory control system embodying expert system techniques, is paying for itself in as little as six months.
Kodak focuses development on motion analysis
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

Kodak has introduced a lower‐cost version of its high‐speed motion analysis system.
Keeping tinplate on the right track
Authors: Gratton R.G.
Published: February 2008

Classification equipment has been installed at a Yugoslav tinplate complex to identify, monitor and track the tinplate sheets.
Surface contact sensor for robot safety
Authors: Pruski A.
Published: February 2008

A conductive fibre felt has been developed with high sensitivity over a large surface. It can be tailored to cover a robot arm, its working area or other moving devices.
Deriving range maps at real‐time video rates
Authors: Cotter S.M. , Batchelor B.G.
Published: February 2008

A depth map module, working with structured light, produces real‐time depth map pictures of three‐dimensional objects.
Optical technologies — an agenda for the future
Authors: Main Roger
Published: February 2008

Roger Main gives a four‐part report on the optical technologies which are playing an increasingly important role in sensor development.
Rotary velocity and position transducers under review
Authors: Horner G.R. , Lacey R.J.
Published: February 2008

Successful incorporation of transducers into measuring devices depends on choosing the type most suited to the task.
Engineering vision for PCB assembly
Authors: Hodson Norman
Published: February 2008

There are enormous cost advantages to be gained if PCBs can be made up using intelligent—and aware—placement systems.
Why an optically‐based hydrophone works better
Authors: Hughes V.J. , Boulton J.G. , Coles J.M. , Empson T.R. , Kerry N.J.
Published: February 2008

A new type of hydrophone using optical technologies has distinct advantages over traditional types.
Attention focuses on optical fibre biosensors
Authors: Roef P.
Published: February 2008

Optical fibre sensors are finding wide applications in biotechnology and medicine, as a European specialist explains.
A new angle on 3‐D coordinate determination
Authors: Gottwald R. , Berner W.
Published: February 2008

Development of the electronic precision theodolite has led to the automation of 3‐D coordinate determination.
Positional and rotational control using flexible drives
Authors: Atherton E.J.
Published: February 2008

Awkward positional problems in robotics could be solved by flexible drives, an inventor claims.
Vision systems or vision sensors?
Authors: Vogeley Bill
Published: February 2008

Many industrial applications could benefit from line imaging‐based edge sensors rather than full‐scale vision systems, a leading specialist argues.
Principles of optical fibre temperature sensors
Authors: Hartog A.H.
Published: February 2008

A distributed fibre‐optic sensor could be many miles long, as an expert explains.
Process plant telemetry by radio
Authors: Bell C.R. , Neve B.D.
Published: February 2008

Low‐power data acquisition techniques for process monitoring are becoming increasingly important.
Stripe scanning for engineering
Authors: Reid G.T. , Rixon R.C. , Stewart H.
Published: February 2008

STRIPE — Scanning Triangulation Range Imaging Package for Engineering is examined by the National Engineering Laboratory.
Implementing machine vision: an IBM case study
Authors: Henry J. , Preston C.
Published: February 2008

A case study by IBM of machine vision implementation in the robotic assembly area of the Automated Logistic Production System used in manufacturing computers.
Tactile sensors for industrial robots
Authors: Lauber Alexander , Sandell Bengt , Holmbom Per , Pedersen Ole
Published: February 2008

Scientists at Linkoping Institute of Technology assess the state of tactile sensing and offer some of their own ideas.
Selecting NTC thermistors for control applications
Authors: Edwards Les
Published: February 2008

Two experts explain how to develop a common component for some sophisticated applications.
Visual and tactile senses in collaboration
Authors: Ghani N
Published: February 2008

This article gives an account of ESPRIT Project 278 which aimed to create a robot system guided by visual and tactile senses.
Keeping an eye on optical disks
Authors: Woodrough Robert
Published: February 2008

Pressing problems in optical‐disc manufacture need to be quickly and precisely identified.
Optical sensor research: a collaborative effort
Authors: McGeehin Peter
Published: February 2008

Optical sensor companies in the UK are getting together to organise their own research and development.
Soaring sales of silicon sensors
Authors: Adrian Peter , Vella Emmanuel
Published: February 2008

Experts claim over 50% of sensor applications are currently served by silicon‐sensor technology.
Co‐ordinate measuring: Vauxhall goes point‐to‐point
Authors: Calcutt Mike
Published: February 2008

Co‐ordinate measuring techniques are finding increasing applications. One of the latest facilities — at Vauxhall in the UK — is making remarkable paybacks.
Biometrics: the people sensors
Authors: Parks John R.
Published: February 2008

Biometrics, the measurement of ‘people‐based’ characteristics is rapidly becoming a major field of technology as an expert explains.
Harnessing the Hall effect for today's technology
Authors: White Douglas
Published: February 2008

The Hall‐effect sensor is one of the most widely‐used, yet least understood, transducers around.
Optical/microelectronic sensor patents reviewed
Authors: Mobbs D.J. , Summerhayes D.
Published: February 2008

Sensor Review publishes the results of a major sensor survey.
Identifying quality at Bosch
Authors: Reger H.
Published: February 2008

For Robert Bosch GmbH, sensor systems underpin a major programme in part identification and quality control in assembly.
Stress wave sensing eases condition monitoring
Authors: Wells Peter
Published: February 2008

Innovative stress wave sensors could find wide application in industry.
Briefing: opto‐mechanical metrology
Authors: Koch K.‐P.
Published: February 2008

Industrial metrology is being radically alerted by advanced technology, as an expert reports.
Tutorial: monitoring (and managing) stress
Authors: Loughlin Clive
Published: February 2008

Sensor Review provides an update on photoelastic and thermoelastic stress analysis.
Gauging a large machine cell
Authors: Calcutt Mike
Published: February 2008

Machinery lines require very specific gauging systems which have to be designed on a customised basis.
Applying optical measurement techniques
Authors: Hanke G.
Published: February 2008

An expert gives a tutorial guide to optoelectronics measurement practice in industrial production.
Industrial applications for optical profilometry
Authors: Brown A.J.C. , Gilbert F.
Published: February 2008

Optical profilometry has many industrial uses, from machine tool measurements to microelectronics, as experts explain.
Sensor space finds unknown errors
Authors: Selke Klaus
Published: February 2008

Multi‐dimensional sensor information space enables a system to detect and handle previously unknown errors.
Field distortions highlight product defects
Authors: Buckley Shawn
Published: February 2008

Objects can be inspected by measuring the way in which they distort acoustic, inductive, capacitive and microwave fields.
Automatic inspection of glass
Authors: Slabodsky Francis B.
Published: February 2008

Established techniques for glass inspection come underpressure as production rates and quality requirements increase.
X‐rays give in‐depth inspection
Authors: Parmee Richard
Published: February 2008

The use of X‐rays for inspecting baggage and weld quality is well known, however, recent food contamination scares have put the spotlight on new and ever more demanding applications.
Vision surveys — value for money?
Authors: Loughlin Clive
Published: February 2008

Two complimentary vision surveys are reviewed, one aimed at suppliers and the other at potential users of vision equipment.
Micromice find ways to a maze
Authors: Billingsley John
Published: February 2008

The intelligent interpretation of simple sensor data enables Micromice to find their way around complex mazes.
Caring sensors
Authors: Jones Keith
Published: February 2008

The application of new sensor technologies brings a new dimension to healthcare.
New applications for rangefinders
Authors: Drunk G. , Hild N. , Hug C. , Höpf M. , Langen A.
Published: February 2008

Rangefinders can find diverse applications as these four examples from the IPA illustrate.
Mass flow measurement
Authors: McKenzie Guy
Published: February 2008

The Coriolis technique is now being used effectively in a variety of mass flow measurement applications.
Multisensor information integration
Authors: Guinea D. , Barrios L.J. , Ruiz A.
Published: February 2008

The storage of large volumes of high speed data can be a problem. In this article the authors examine a number of cost effective solutions.
An integrated approach to vision and control
Authors: Morris Joe
Published: February 2008

‘Off the shelf’ or ‘custom development’? Adept Technology takes a middle course for integrating inspection and control.
OCR aids robotic assembly
Authors: Gill Kapul
Published: February 2008

An optical character recognition system is helping with the automatic assembly of automotive parts at Rover's Longbridge plant.
Achieving sub‐pixel precision
Authors: Braggins Don
Published: February 2008

New visual inspection techniques overcome the Nyquist limit to provide high precision measurement of component positions.
Tutorial: silicon micro‐machining
Authors: Wilson Paul
Published: February 2008

This extract from a recent survey of micro‐machining in the USA outlines the techniques and difficulties of this ‘upwardly mobile’ technology.
Sound design is key to underwater inspection
Authors: Cardew Marcus
Published: February 2008

Designing a compact navigation sonar system for remote controlled underwater vehicles can be a real challenge.
Wireless infrared thermometry
Authors: Beynon T.
Published: February 2008

A ‘no‐wire’ infrared thermometer from Land Infrared has been designed for use in ‘unsafe’ environments.
METAL DETECTION TESTING PROVIDES PROTECTION
Authors: Butler Trevor
Published: February 2008

Contamination has become one of the favourite topics of the moment. But, even though saboteurs gain the headlines, the fact remains that the manufacture of products for domestic consumption has never been so carefully and efficiently monitored.
INSPECTING KEVLAR FIBRES AT 50 METRES A MINUTE
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

British Telecom research found that a vision system provided the answer to a problem with Kevlar fibres used in the manufacture of fibre optic cables.
ACCURATE TO A FAULT
Authors: Stobart Richard
Published: February 2008

Predicting and circumventing incipient faults in expensive and intensively used machinery becomes more important every day — from the points of view of extending machinery life, of reducing costly downtime and of avoiding critical failure situations. The author describes recent work done by one of Britain's leading scientific engineering consultancies in collaboration with the Naval Engineering Department of The Royal Aerospace Establishment. A series of techniques was evolved which, when integrated into an intelligent system, can produce an effective and economic condition‐monitoring concept for supervising turbocharged diesel engines. Based on the processing of signals from conventional sensors it could be added to a machine control system without significantly increasing its complexity.
MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR DESIGN
Authors: Macintyre Steven A.
Published: February 2008

The magnetic field generated or disturbed by an object is often overlooked when we need to inspect or detect it. In this tutorial Steve Macintyre describes the fundamental design principles of a range of magnetic field sensors.
SENSORS AND THE DTI
Authors: Fleming John
Published: February 2008

Dr John Fleming is the co‐ordinator of the Department of Trade and Industry's Advanced Sensors Technology Transfer Programme, which sponsored the seminar reported on page 21. Here he talks to Jack Hollingum about the aims of the programme.
ADVANCED SENSORS – WHERE THE MONEY IS
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

Business opportunities in advanced sensors were highlighted at a seminar sponsored under the DTI Advanced Sensors Technology Transfer Programme.
OPTICAL PATENTS — A SOURCE OF BRIGHT IDEAS
Authors: McGeehin Peter
Published: February 2008

Introduction Optical sensors, and especially fibre optic sensors, offer some significant technical advantages over conventional electronic sensors. These technical advantages have been perceived to be sufficiently significant to have stimulated a large amount of research activity in the UK and elsewhere. Much of the original research has been carried out in universities and polytechnics, but there has also been considerable corporate R&D activity aimed at developing commercial products and systems. The results of much of this corporate work have not been published, except in the form of patents. Patents therefore provide a useful literature which, though of considerable interest to companies, is difficult to analyse and assimilate. For this reason, the DTI Advanced Sensors Technology Transfer Programme commissioned a study of recent optical sensor patents. The aim was to classify and analyse the patents, and to present the findings in a manner which a small or medium size instrumentation company could readily digest.
INVENTIONS: HOW TO PROTECT AN ENGINEER'S MOST VALUABLE ASSETS
Authors: Jennings Peter
Published: February 2008

It is often said that the British have produced many of the world's greatest inventions but that it is all too frequently the case that other countries have benefited more from them than Great Britain. Nowadays, the flow of technical information is extremely rapid and good ideas will be put into practice in industrial nations in an increasingly short space of time. If the good idea is yours how can you make sure that you benefit most and not your competitors?
LEVEL AND CONTENTS MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL
Authors: Neame Mike
Published: February 2008

The measurement of level is critical to many manufacturing operations and yet this supposedly straightforward task is full of traps for the unwary.
WHAT'S THE SENSE IN CARS?
Authors: Smith Martin
Published: February 2008

An investigation has been carried out by Quo‐Tec Limited, on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry's Advanced Sensors Technology Transfer Programme, to determine the opportunities which exist in the UK transportation industries for advanced sensors. The study was concerned particularly with the identification of new business opportunities for UK Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises (SMEs). The study's boundaries were defined as the automotive, aerospace, rail and marine transportation sectors and the advanced sensor technologies of optical fibres and solid state. Piezoelectric, capacitive, inductive magnetoresistive, thin film, thick film and micromachined silicon devices were all included in the term solid state. These were highlighted because of the proven strength of UK research in many of these areas and yet, in many cases, a current lack of significant UK commercial exploitation. Through literature reviews, extensive telephone interviews and face‐to‐face discussions with key individuals in over 90 transportation companies, sensor companies and research institutions, a similar number of sensor requirements were identified. From this number, those requirements best addressed by optical or solid state sensor technology were selected. A criterion applied in the selection was that the need could be addressed by a UK SME (either alone or in collaboration) with a reasonable expectation that a sensor could be commercially available within five years. Preferably, proven technology should be available — the job of a sensor company is to develop the technology into a commercial product, not to do the fundamental research work to prove the technology itself. This article comprises some “prime” opportunities, thus identified, applicable to the automotive industry.
THEORY HELPS VISION TO ACHIEVE PRACTICAL AIMS
Authors: Davies Roy
Published: February 2008

The design of vision algorithms for industrial applications is often considered to be an artform. In this article Roy Davies demonstrates that it can be a science.
MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL…
Authors: Slabodsky Francis
Published: February 2008

A number of techniques are described for determining the thickness of glass sheets during their manufacture.
POLYMER MATERIALS FOR ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS
Authors: Bulteel John
Published: February 2008

For a number of years, the possibilities of using polymer or co‐polymer materials exhibiting piezoelectric properties have attracted the attention of those engaged in non‐destructive testing.
HANOVER: ONLY THE BRAVE DESERVE THE FAIR!
Authors: Braggins Don
Published: February 2008

The Hanover Industry Fair attracts almost half a million visitors each year to look at well over 6,000 exhibits, so tracking down nuggets of interesting technology requires some fairly careful preparatory work. Fortunately the organisers have upgraded their electronic search facilities so this year it was possible to obtain a consolidated computerised listing of likely exhibits arranged in order of stand and Hall number — there are 24 different halls! As it turned out, all the items described came from just two halls — Microtronics (Hall 7) and Research and Development (Hall 18). The Fair continues to grow and there is no guarantee that these will be the relevant halls in future years.
Managing Change:
Authors: Tranfield David , Smith Stuart
Published: February 2008

Introducing new technology to the processes of design, production, assembly and management in manufacturing offers enormous opportunities — greater flexibility and quality; reduced costs, inventory and lead‐times. But it often doesn't work out like that — a report commissioned by Ingersoll Engineers showed that 50% of Advanced Manufacturing Technology applications were judged unsuccessful by the firms involved.
INTERFACING — ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY
Authors: Frais Ian
Published: February 2008

Modern automation and process control demands high‐quality sensors that are sensitive to increasingly small rotations. Consequently, optical incremental encoders are finding an increasing number of applications for measuring position and rotational speed in mechanical engineering. As sensitivity increases, so they become more susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
NEW CERAMIC DEVELOPMENTS AT ELMWOOD
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

In the early 1980s Elmwood Sensors, part of Hawker Siddeley's Instruments and Controls Division, was totally reliant on a single 15‐year‐old product range of electro‐mechanical thermostats using a bimetallic strip. Dissatisfied with this insecure situation and uncertain about the long‐term sales life for electromechanical sensors, the company decided that it should start looking for advanced technology substitutes.
INEX – 100 PER CENT ON‐LINE VISUAL INSPECTION OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Authors: Kevin Dyche Robert
Published: February 2008

In today's increasingly competitive marketplace, the customer is demanding higher standards of quality. This is particularly the case in the food manufacturing industry, reflecting the public's concern over food safety. This concern has been manifested in recent years by the implementation of increasingly strict regulations governing not only hygiene standards within processing plants but also labelling and overall presentation standards of finished products.
CRS CROSS THE POND WITH A DAB HAND FOR FOOD INSPECTION
Authors: Pellerin Cheryl
Published: February 2008

The food processing industry may be the ideal customer for machine vision and other sensor technology. As Massachusetts‐based Computer Recognition Systems (CRS) Inc. has learned to its profit, machine vision capabilities fit the special needs of processed food manufacturers like a glove.
NIR FOR NON‐CONTACT MEASUREMENT OF MOISTURE AND PROTEIN CONTENT
Authors: Scott Michael
Published: February 2008

The use of the Near Infra‐Red (NIR) part of the electromagnetic spectrum for laboratory measurement has been well established for many years. It was the food industry and its related agricultural base that pioneered the technique, and names like Dicky‐John, Technicon and Neotech have become common usage terms.
CLOSED PACK CONTENTS INSPECTION — WITHOUT X‐RAYS
Authors: Faruq Ahmad
Published: February 2008

As the manufacturing industry faces ever increasing pressure from retailers, consumers and legislators to raise standards of safety and package quality even higher, those involved can take comfort from the similarly rapid advances in technology which are providing many of the solutions to these new challenges.
ULTRASONIC RANGING
Authors: Martín Abreu J.M. , Ceres R. , Freire T.
Published: February 2008

The pulse‐echo method used for the measurement of distances is based on the determination of the fly‐time, employed by the wave (a pulse or a short train) to travel from the sensor to the object and back. It is easy to measure with accuracy the precise moment of the emission, but determining the precise moment of the arrival of the echo is somewhat more complex.
MACHINE VISION FOR SMART HIGHWAYS
Authors: Pellerin Cheryl
Published: February 2008

The eight‐lane Santa Monica freeway winds languidly through southern California's urban megasprawl, carrying 330,000 cars, trucks, buses, vans and motorcycles each day through downtown Los Angeles, then east to the San Bernardino, Golden State and Santa Ana freeways, or west of the Harbor and Pasadena freeways.
INTRINSIC FIBRE OPTIC SENSORS
Authors: Oscroft Gordon
Published: February 2008

Numerous articles have been written about the many applications for fibre optic sensors and their future potential. However, very few products are yet in volume production.
SILICON SENSORS MlCROENGINEERING
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

Sensors engineered on silicon chips have tremendous development potential and are attracting considerable attention in the USA and Japan. By contrast British research and development activities in this area have been weak, even compared with the work at other centres in Europe. BNF‐Fulmer has already completed construction of a clean room with a range of processing equipment and, in expanding its Microengineering Centre for contract and joint R&D projects with other companies, the organization is hoping to put the UK in the lead of European work, filling a vital gap between university research and the large microelectronics silicon foundries.
OPTICAL WAVEGUIDES IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: RECENT ADVANCES
Authors: Potyrailo Radislav , Golubkov Sergei
Published: February 2008

Achievements in guided wave optics have had a great influence on many areas of technology for several years. Fibre optic communication links, sensors for various parameters, recently developed distributed temperature sensors, integrated optical switches, etc. are all applications that are commercially available. The field of analytical chemistry is no exception in this growing technology. In order to compete with well‐established chemical‐sensing instrumentation, optical waveguide chemical sensors (OWCSs) must show all the qualities of such instrumentation. OWCSs combine well‐known features of sensors, based on waveguide optics, with optical methods of chemical analysis and offer advantages over other types of chemical sensor. OWCSs are electrically passive, corrosion‐resistant, can respond to analytes for which other chemical sensors are not available, and referencing can be carried out optically. They allow multicomponent measurements at several wavelengths, have a common technology for fabrication of sensors for different chemical and physical parameters and are easily compatible with telemetry etc. Further, only OWCSs are capable of distributed sensing. However, interference from ambient light, temperature, long‐term instability, relatively slow response time, and limited dynamic range may be a problem for some types of OWCS. These disadvantages can be considerably reduced using various methods.
BIOMETRICS — WHEN THE PERSON IS THE KEY
Authors: Jennings Chris
Published: February 2008

From the earliest time, guards have been used to control access to certain areas. Guards are people and, however conscientious, they are forgetful, bribable, coercible or just plain inefficient. The introduction of the key and lock provided the first automated assistance to control access and, despite the ingenuity of locksmiths, keys can be stolen, duplicated or lost and locks can be picked.
AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS OFFERS FAST VERIFICATION
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

Widespread interest is being shown in a biometric system based on the well‐established approach of fingerprint identification, but avoiding both the heavy data demand and the doubtful social acceptability associated with an actual fingerprint record. The technique extracts certain key features from a fingerprint or other friction ridge skin pattern and compresses them into only 918 data bits — small enough to be written into tracks one and three of an ISO standard magnetic stripe card. It is not possible to reconstruct a fingerprint from the data.
THE HUMAN FACE – A UNIQUE PATTERN?
Authors: Starkey Raymond B.
Published: February 2008

The interest in biometrics grows as sensor development makes the science of facial recognition technically feasible. The notion of identity is directly related to physical information and the individuality of the human face is a substantial factor in providing a large part of our own identity. In Darwinian terms, the face must have a role in the development of the species. Why is it important to differentiate the face? Is it because as the species developed, its sense of smell became less important as the brain grew and visual recognition rather than odour signalled the cues to tribe, species or family? Or perhaps there is a deeper need in the human spirit to be unique unto itself? Whatever the case the face plays the important role in the identification process.
INTEGRATED SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY FOR AN ELECTRONIC NOSE
Authors: Corcoran Paul
Published: February 2008

Over the past ten years there has been significant interest in the application of sensor arrays to discriminate between odorous mixtures. Such a system could have numerous uses in fields as diverse as agriculture, foodstuffs, brewing, perfumery and air quality measurement. At present, progress is limited by the sensor technology. To date, most of the research undertaken has been centred around the commercially available Taguchi Gas Sensor (TGS) range. These devices consist of a thick‐film tin oxide layer, the conductance of which is modulated upon exposure to a range of flammable materials. This can only occur when the sensor is operated at temperatures in the region 300–700°C. These devices are also bulky and have high power consumptions (0.9W at 300°C). This makes them unsuitable for remote field applications requiring battery supplies, particularly when there are a large number of sensors in the array.
UK SENSORS SCENE: ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING FIRMS
Authors: McGeehin Peter
Published: February 2008

Four well established, successful and expanding UK sensors firms, and six small but ambitious ones (the latter all recipients of DTI SMART Awards) feature in case studies undertaken with support of the DTI Advanced Sensors Technology Transfer Programme. These studies have two objectives: to pick out some real UK successes, and to encourage the present generation of sensors researchers to consider establishing a new firm around their work. The first four case studies described below cover the following established and expanding firms:
ON‐LINE COLOUR MEASUREMENT
Authors: Coventry Gordon
Published: February 2008

Colour is not a property which is a physical part of things we see, it is simply the effect of visible light waves bouncing off or passing through the numerous objects in its path. The colour of an object is determined by several things, the characteristics of the light source, the way the object reflects, absorbs or transmits the light waves striking it. Sometimes, however, the effect of surroundings on the eye and mind and the physical condition of the observer can affect the perception of colour. Hence the eye is not always the best device to use for controlling colour in industry, where consistency of colour is all important.
REFLECTIONS ON LIGHT DISTRIBUTION MEASUREMENT
Authors: Torkar Drago , Murn Rudi , Peček Dušan
Published: February 2008

Despite a relatively long tradition and outstanding progress in CCD technology during the last few years, computer vision applications have not become as significant as was expected. Because of lack of understanding and the complexity of applications themselves, the introduction of computer vision technology in production lines is still rare. Rarity raises prices and so we go round in circles. At present computer vision needs effective, simple and low‐cost applications, which will make it accessible to potential customers and show them all its possibilities and benefits. Industrial users need solutions instead of theory.
UK SENSORS SCENE: ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING FIRMS
Authors: McGeehin Peter
Published: February 2008

Four well‐established, successful and expanding UK sensors firms, and six small but ambitious ones (the latter all recipients of DTI SMART Awards), feature in case studies undertaken with the support of the DTI Advanced Sensors Technology Transfer Programme. These studies have two objectives: to pick out some real UK successes, and to encourage the present generation of sensors researchers to consider establishing a new firm around their work. The first four case studies were described in Sensor Review, Vol. 12 No. 3.
AUSTRALIAN SMART HIGHWAYS
Authors: Grewal Simmy
Published: February 2008

Cheryl Pellerin's smart highways feature in Sensor Review, Vol. 12 No. 1, made interesting reading. In Australia, a new system, which monitors heavy vehicles, was recently unveiled. The system monitors the movement of heavy duty vehicles on New South Wales (NSW) roads. The basic need for this system was established by the Road & Traffic Authority (RTA) of NSW and it centres on being able to spot trucks which are speeding, stolen, unregistered or skipping rest periods in all weather conditions, day or night. This resulted in the development of a system called SAFE‐T‐CAM.
OPTICAL SENSORS MONITOR METALLIZED FILM PRODUCTION
Authors: Casey Frank , Broomfield Anthony
Published: February 2008

Over the past ten years a non‐contact resistance monitor has been developed for measuring the deposit above each evaporator on resistance‐heated evaporative metallizers. This is the eddy current type. The flux from an RF coil links with the metallized film. The resultant induced current in the film, which is proportional to the thickness of the deposit, is measured (see Figure 1). Normally, sensor coils are positioned in line with evaporators. The RF sensor head is located next to an insulated roller carrying the metallized film.
IBM France Pioneers Applications of Neural Networks
Authors: Kochan Anna
Published: February 2008

Few industrial applications of neural networks are yet in operation. One company making exceptional progress, however, is IBM France whose team of specialists are implementing pioneering applications with machine vision and diagnostic sensing. This team is using the novel technology to tackle such problems as character recognition, weld quality inspection and machine diagnostics.
Allen‐Bradley: Factories Which Read
Authors: Mackrory John
Published: February 2008

Optical character recognition (OCR) is a vital tool for the food and pharmaceutical industries, allowing them to inspect for correct labelling and thereby conforming to good manufacturing practices (GMP).
OCR Using the Memory Network Classifier
Authors: Elliott David J.M.
Published: February 2008

The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system described in this article was developed for an application in a major high street bank requiring the high speed reading of cheque serial numbers.
A Versatile Ultrasonic Ranging System
Authors: Cai Canhui , Regtien P.P.L.
Published: February 2008

Pulse‐echo methods as used for distance measurements are generally based on the determination of the time of flight between a transmitted pulse and its echo. It is quite easy to measure the exact moment of pulse transmission. However, the moment of arrival is difficult to measure with high accuracy because of interference and noise.
Applications of Laser Radar
Authors: Ailisto Heikki , Kostamovaara Juha , Moring Ilkka , Myllylä Risto
Published: February 2008

Optoelectronic distance measurement devices are applied in various tasks in industry, land surveying, mining, military use, etc. The main methods employed are phase measurement, triangulation and pulsed time‐of‐flight measurement (laser radar).
New Scope for Sensors in Safety and Health Care
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

A UK market of about £295 million over the next five years for advanced sensors and instruments in health and safety is envisaged in a new report commissioned by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist as part of the Government's Advanced Sensors Technology Transfer Programme (ASTTP). Good prospects are also seen in another new ASTTP report on advanced sensors in the healthcare sector. The two reports were introduced at the fourth annual seminar on Advanced Sensors organized by ERA Technology on 10 November 1992.
Reconfigurable Vision Inspects Food Decoration
Authors: Loker Tim
Published: February 2008

The project, funded as part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food LINK scheme, has been carried out as a joint venture between Vision Dynamics Ltd, an Industrial partner RHM Research and Engineering Ltd and the University of Wales, College of Cardiff.
Trainable Systems Inspect Food Products
Authors: Fullstone Mark
Published: February 2008

Various types of sensors have been widely used for a number of years within the food industry for detecting positions of bottles, caps, fill levels and many other applications. More sophisticated problems such as colour sorting have been solved using specialist light sources and arrays of sensors.
Watsonlinc™ — Innovation in Flux
Authors: Watson Mike
Published: February 2008

Cable clamp ammeters have long been used to read current in single wires and unbalanced currents in twin cables and the like. When reading around a twin cable, a twin and earth house wiring cable for example, the reading progressively diminishes the more equal the currents are in the line and neutral wires. Once the currents are actually in balance (the fault free condition) then the meter will read zero.
Ultrasonic Emulsion Analyser
Authors: Povey Malcolm J.W.
Published: February 2008

In the food, drink, and pharmaceutical industries, ultrasonic sensors have advantages over many existing devices. They are capable of rapid, precise measurements and can be fully automated. Also, they can be used online, applied to optically opaque systems, and, moreover, are very cost‐effective.