Detail Inspection Research Articles

Real-Time Pipe and Valve Characterisation and Mapping for Autonomous Underwater Intervention Tasks.

Nowadays, more frequently, it is necessary to perform underwater operations such as surveying an area or inspecting and intervening on industrial infrastructures such as offshore oil and gas rigs or pipeline networks. Recently, the use of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) has grown as a way to automate these tasks, reducing risks and execution time. One of the used sensing modalities is vision, providing RGB high-quality information in the mid to low range, making it appropriate for manipulation or detail inspection tasks. This work presents the use of a deep neural network to perform pixel-wise 3D segmentation of pipes and valves on underwater point clouds generated using a stereo pair of cameras. In addition, two novel algorithms are built to extract information from the detected instances, providing pipe vectors, gripping points, the position of structural elements such as elbows or connections, and valve type and orientation. The information extracted on spatially referenced point clouds can be unified to form an information map of an inspected area. Results show outstanding performance on the network segmentation task, achieving a mean F1-score value of 88.0% at a pixel-wise level and of 95.3% at an instance level. The information extraction algorithm also showcased excellent metrics when extracting information from pipe instances and their structural elements and good enough metrics when extracting data from valves. Finally, the neural network and information algorithms are implemented on an AUV and executed in real-time, validating that the output information stream frame rate of 0.72 fps is high enough to perform manipulation tasks and to ensure full seabed coverage during inspection tasks. The used dataset, along with a trained model and the information algorithms, are provided to the scientific community.

Cost of quality: Evaluating cost-quality trade-offs for inspection strategies of manufacturing processes

Cost-quality trade-offs are required when manufacturing industries seek to minimize cost and maximize product quality or reliability. We report a challenging cost-quality tradeoff problem for a consumer goods industry where both cost and quality are modeled together. First we present a 10-step systems engineering methodology for quality improvement of manufacturing systems and comprehensively discuss the cost of quality step. The methodology investigates in detail inspection strategies of the manufacturing systems by exploring four alternative strategies. Key elements in this investigation consists of modeling the appraisal costs that involve costs to detect a non-conformed unit through inspection or testing, and failure costs that involve costs of rework, scrap, warranty claims and loss of goodwill and sales. Among the main findings of the research is that optimum inspection strategy can be achieved by modeling the cost savings from each strategy and plotting against non-conforming rates shipped to the customer and additional external failure premium.

Study of Procurement Methods by Purchasing Agreements: A Case Study of Private Corporations in Thailand

A study of procurement methods by purchasing agreements: a case study of private corporations in Thailand. This study is a survey research with three objectives; 1) to study the processes of procurement by purchasing agreements, 2) to study processing time for procurement by purchasing agreements, 3) to study means to improve performance of procurement by purchasing agreements; a case study of international business organization of private corporations in Thailand. Variables are determined as; 1) personal factors (gender, age, education level, experience, and income) as independent variables, 2) detail inspection, bidding documents preparation and contact supplier sources, procurement, receiving inspection, and payment.[14] The results revealed that: General information: There were female more than male that response to the questionnaire, at 60.0 percent, and the respondents were mostly age between 31-40 years old, 17 persons and at 42.5 percent. The results indicated that 18 persons, 45.0 percent, which were the most respondents, were bachelor degree graduates. Furthermore, the most respondents worked at operational level, 19 persons, and 47.5 percent. For experience of the respondent, there were 16 persons, 40 percent, who have worked for at least 1-5 years. Most of the respondents, 11 persons and 27.5 percent, have their income more than 50,000 Baht. Detail inspection: For the detail inspection, most of the respondents have given their highest opinion on procurement staffs that receive online requisition forms from requisite persons, 4.13 percent. The second highest opinion was on detail inspection of the requisition forms, 4.00 percent, and the third highest opinion was on whether audit systems, to guarantee that the regulations were followed, are available, 3.86 percent. And the lowest opinion was given to whether types and amounts were indicated in requirement notification or procurement request, 3.83 percent. Combine mean was 3.96 with deviation 0.72. Bidding documents preparation and contact supplier sources: For bidding documents preparation and contact supplier sources, most respondents found that seller records as well as statistics of price and amount are available has the highest frequency, 3.95 percent. The second highest frequency was estimate cost was indicated in order to compare with offering price, 3.85 percent, and the third highest frequency were comparison to latest buying price and/or from various sellers in order to get the best price possible, and easy to contact with sellers or supplier sources, which have equal mean at 3.82 percent. Combine mean was 3.86 with deviation 0.62. Procurement: For procurement, the highest opinion from the respondents was given to preparation of purchasing orders and its copies for accessories; which are receiving inspectors, procurement informants, accountants or finances, 4.56 percent. The second highest answer was appropriate procurement, 3.92 percent, and the third highest answer was procurement by procurement staffs under material request forms or approved procurement licenses, 3.82 percent. And the lowest was fast and accurate procurement, 3.80 percent. Combine mean was 4.02 with deviation 1.71. Receiving inspection and payment: For receiving inspection and payment, most of the respondents have given the highest opinion to counting of amounts and types of received material with purchasing orders or invoices, with at least 2 inspectors’ signatures, 4.05 percent. The second highest opinion was specifying department that responsible for payment inspection, 4.00 percent, and the third most frequent answer was receipt that has been paid should be marked to avoid repeated payment, 3.95 percent. And the lowest opinion was identifying authorized receiving inspectors, 3.87 percent. Combine mean was 3.96 with deviation 0.62.

MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ULTRA-FINE GRAINED AZ31 ALLOY PROCESSED BY ECAP

Commercial magnesium alloy AZ31 was processed by equal channel angular pressing preceded by hot extrusion (EX-ECAP). Microstructure evolution with strain due to ECAP was investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy. ECAP processing resulted in continuous grain fragmentation, significant grain refinement and the formation of dislocations. Dislocation structure changes in individual specimens after different number of ECAP passes were investigated by positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). Substantial increase of dislocation density occurred during the first two passes of ECAP and was followed by the decline manifesting the dynamic recovery at higher strains. The microstructure and defect structure evolution correlates well with mechanical properties as determined by a detail inspection of microhardness variations in individual ECAPed specimens.

콘크리트 비파괴시험법을 이용한 사방댐 안정도 평가에 관한 연구

This study was conducted to investigate a stability trend within 6 above average and 4 blow average erosion control dams, which were selected by The Korean Association of Soil and Water Conservation and were built in 1990s in Gyeonggi and Gangwon Province. The study was aimed to measure rebound hardness of upstream face, flood way and downstream face from those dams selected by using 'Concrete Test Hammer'. The main purposes of the study are selection of compression strength prediction equation and scope of wavelength, which successfully demonstrate non-destructive test results for erosion control dams. There is an opportunity to increase disaster prevention ability when stability vulnerability of concrete erosion control dam is detected in a timely manner. Results of the compression strength investigation express that there is a consistency with visual inspection of stability that has been processed by The Korean Association of Soil and Water Conservation. We concluded that a prediction equation, which was developed by Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ), shows highest suitability in Korean erosion control dams when stability investigation is performed. The detailed criteria for the test result are 'stable', 'detail inspection required' and 'poor' for over 300 , 250~300 and below 250 respectively. Standards for stability of Korean erosion control dam and a compression strength prediction equation (that corresponds to the standards of the stability) should be established on the basis of chronological data of erosion control dam compression strength. Systematical approach for stability inspection that carries out remodeling or repair when problem on erosion control structures are detected through visual inspection and simple stability test, is necessary for the future disaster prevention.

Damage analysis of an RC column subjected to long-term transient elevated temperature

Damage in a reinforced concrete column subjected to long-term elevated temperature (approximately 150°C) was studied by conducting detail inspection as well as finite element analysis. The damage information was collected through visual inspection, non-destructive tests, coring, and chemical analysis. Inspection results illustrated more damage level in the portion exposed to high temperature. Chemical analysis as well as cracking patterns indicated that the damage was not the same as the damage caused by fire attack and was not caused by chloride penetration, carbonation or sulphate attack. The mechanism of the damage was clarified by using finite element analysis with a condition of sudden drop of surface temperature. It was found from the analysis that cracking can be induced on the surface of the column due to temperature gradient if there is a substantial surface temperature drop.

Constructing and visualizing chemical reaction networks from pi-calculus models

Abstract The π -calculus, in particular its stochastic version the stochastic π -calculus, is a common modeling formalism to concisely describe the chemical reactions occurring in biochemical systems. However, it remains largely unexplored how to transform a biochemical model expressed in the stochastic π -calculus back into a set of meaningful reactions. To this end, we present a two step approach of first translating model states to reaction sets and then visualizing sequences of reaction sets, which are obtained from state trajectories, in terms of reaction networks. Our translation from model states to reaction sets is formally defined and shown to be correct, in the sense that it reflects the states and transitions as they are derived from the continuous time Markov chain-semantics of the stochastic π -calculus. Our visualization concept combines high level measures of network complexity with interactive, table-based network visualizations. It directly reflects the structures introduced in the first step and allows modelers to explore the resulting simulation traces by providing both: an overview of a network’s evolution and a detail inspection on demand.

Structural change of single-walled carbon nanotube induced by soft X-ray irradiation

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) grown on Si(100) were irradiated with X-ray having the spectrum with a peak at 277eV. We measured Raman scattering spectra of the samples before and after the irradiation at various fluences and found that the relative intensity of the defect-related band, D band, to the band of the tangential shear modes of the carbon atoms in a graphene sheet, G band, was enhanced by the irradiation. The fluence dependence of this intensity ratio, D/G, took a peak around the fluence of 7×1013cm-2. Further X-ray irradiation reduced the D/G to around half of the maximum. Detail inspection of the low frequency Raman spectra revealed that the radial breathing modes of the SWNTs were modified by the irradiation. The result suggests that the X-ray irradiation gives rise to not only defect formation but also modification of the SWNT structure.

A transient model of PEM fuel cells based on a spherical thin film-agglomerate approach

The objective of this study is to investigate the transient behavior of a PEM fuel cell by using a one-dimensional, two-phase mathematical model. This model treats the catalyst layer as a spherical thin film-agglomerate. Effects of various transport parameter as well as other factors such as catalyst loading, gas diffusion layer thickness and liquid water permeability on the transient evolution of major model properties and cell performance are investigated in detail. Numerical results show that the evolution of ionic potential drop and oxygen consumption experience several steps before they reach steady state. The same situation can also be seen for the evolution of water saturation and current density. A detail inspection of these phenomena shows a close relation between these transport variables and cell performance. Parametric studies of other design factors’ effects reveal there optimum values which lead to a greater current output during its evolution period.

Methods of Tinplate Imperfection Analyses

Presented detailed analyses of bums, rolled in foreign particles, embedded molding powders and material failure during can formation due to the rough tool involve the complex modem metallographic laboratory techniques and methods. Optical microscopy, SEM and EDX analysis used in detail inspection of materials surfaces and cross sections are described with obtained results. This paper documents in detail the main and important materials characteristics showing the four tinplate defects and failures relation to their origin in operation or during the processing.

Sony introduces high- resolution digital video camera with ultraviolet sensitivity for heightened detail inspection

Sony introduces high- resolution digital video camera with ultraviolet sensitivity for heightened detail inspection

Study on Detail Inspection of Internal Defect in Concrete Structures Using Ultrasonic Pulse

Study on Detail Inspection of Internal Defect in Concrete Structures Using Ultrasonic Pulse

An interactive graphic presentation for multiobjective linear programming

In this paper we examine the design and implementation issues relating to the search process for a solution to an interactive multiobjective linear optimization problem (MOLP). A solution methodology proposed by Dror and Gass is employed. The primary objective of the design process is to investigate the advantages of using interactive graphics in the presentation of alternative solutions and to direct the solution search. We find several features useful, including three-dimensional perspective views, graph animation, interactive highlighting, and interactive detail inspection.

DESIGN AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF YODOGAWA BRIDGE

Yodogawa bridge is rivet-connected Petited type truss bridge carrying double railway line with single span of 540ft, truss height 80ft and weighted 1, 810ton. Here, starting from historical background, basic shape (span, height), weight and design loads are compared with other railway truss bridge for the understanding of general feature of this bridge.On 1927, Yodogawa bridge was planned to cross the Uji river in the establishment of new railway line which would connect 2 old capitals Kyoto and Nara by the shortest route. For this crossing, initially, the combination of popular 70ft&40ft-span bridges is proposed, which is rejected by the army because the piers of the bridges interrupt the practice in the riverside. To solve this problem, single bridge spanning 540ft was proposed, which was almost double the maximum span of 300ft-standard bridge designed by T. Cooper of U. S.Each of the design loads (Live, Impact and Wind) applied on this bridge are compared with the corresponding loads specified in the present Japanese standard. The Combined design load-value of the most important load combination case (Dead+Live+Impact Loads) is proved to be appropriate even from the standpoint of present load conditions.After the detail inspection and planning, repair work mainly on the shoe was performed in 1983. And now, Yodogawa bridge is expected to keep working as the longest railway truss bridge of single span in Japan.

Codec Testing Using Synchronized Analog And Digital Signals

Five methods for verifying coder/decoder operation in telecommunications PC boards provide the engineer optimal fault coverage with minimal test time. All methods support a dual-purpose testing strategy: (1) to conduct an in-circuit board test to detect assembly errors before a functional test and (2) to conduct a functional test in which stress is applied to detect marginal performance. All methods involve the use of synchronized analog and digital signals with optional IEEE-488 instruments for detail inspection. The first two methods, coder testing and decoder testing, are appropriate techniques for traditional in-circuit testing. The next two methods, analog loopback testing and digital loopback testing, are considered quasi-functional tests. The test signal path between stimulus and response may traverse a number of different ICs but not dynamically test complete board operation. The last method, functional instruments testing, allows detailed performance parameters specific to the device being tested to be verified. Sample test programs are presented for each method.

Quality Control in Production Engineering

The second part of this article, published in last month's issue of AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING, described some of the practical applications of the quality control method to machine shop production and, in particular, the use of control charts based on measurement. The present issue deals with a method of quality control based on the use of limit gauges, and with the applications of the control chart for “number defective” appropriate to this method. A further article, to be published in a subsequent issue, will discuss the extension, of the quality control idea to the sampling inspection of components and similar products in bulk, as an economic alternative to the detail (100 per cent) inspection which hitherto has been customary in such cases.

Der Rücken des Menschen, die Erkennung und Behandlung seiner Erkrankungen: Eine Anleitung für Studierende der Medizin und praktische Aerzte

The author illustrates by diagrams of trunk and body posture and an elaborate system of lines and landmarks the technic of determining asymmetry. He describes in detail inspection of the back, palpation of the back and passive movements of the neck and head. He has copied Mennell's interesting and instructive series of diagrams of back examination and manipulation. His description of cutaneous sensation is excellent. He describes the interesting sinuvertebral nerve, which did not figure prominently in the English literature until emphasized by Steindler. He makes an interesting division of the lumbalgias into those due to traumatic muscular involvement, rheumatic muscular involvement, tendoperiosteal, neuritic, muscular, ligamentous, articular, ex-articular and osseous. It appears to be a highly technical description for medical students and general practitioners.