Identification of Granite Varieties from Colour Spectrum Data

The granite processing sector of the northwest of Spain handles many varieties of granite with specific technical and aesthetic properties that command different prices in the natural stone market. Hence, correct granite identification and classification from the outset of processing to the end-product stage optimizes the management and control of stocks of granite slabs and tiles and facilitates the operation of traceability systems. We describe a methodology for automatically identifying granite varieties by processing spectral information captured by a spectrophotometer at various stages of processing using functional machine learning techniques

Towards industry 4.0: a case study in ornamental stone sector

A movement to mobilize the Portuguese Ornamental (OS) sector to reduce waste and improve flexibility began in 2004. Boosted by R&D Mobilizing Projects in consortium and fostered by two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG9 and SDG12), this mobilization resulted in a new generation of technologies, concepts and innovative practices, matching the needs of Portuguese OS companies, stressing an integrated approach to European Competitiveness that should be fostered by a sustainable industrial policy, combined with innovation and skills. Bearing in mind that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, and considering the importance of following the goals and guidelines of SDGs 9 and 12 in the industrial processes optimization achievement in the Portuguese OS sector, the following research question arises: What is the impact of the R&D Mobilizing Projects on the efficiency and image of Portuguese OS companies? The objective of this research is to conceptualize an empirical framework based on a mixed methodology, to assess the efficiency and image benefits resulting from participation in these R&D Mobilizing Projects. Through applying the empirical framework to two case studies, it was concluded that for companies that since 2004 have been part of R&D Mobilizing Projects, the evolution in terms of improved energy and raw-material efficiency, soft skills and improved facilities is more positive than in other OS companies. Moreover, there are potential gains in efficiency and image of 9.62%, compared to companies that have never participated in this type of project. This results match with the EU's integrated climate and energy policy and an integrated approach to the sustainable management of natural resources, the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The sustainable production and consumption revealed in the Portuguese OS sector are among the drivers for achieving objectives under both the SDG and the Lisbon strategy.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

ISTRAŽIVANJE UTJECAJA TEKUĆINA ZA HLAĐENJE/PODMAZIVANJE NA VELIČINU STRUJE REZNIH STROJEVA S DISKOM ZA TVRDE STIJENE

One of the most crucial steps in producing dimension rocks is the rock cutting process, which incurs a high cost. The amperage draw of rock cutting machines is a major cost factor of this production process. Determining the effect of factors, such as the machine’s operating configurations, mechanical and physical characteristics of the rock, and type of cooling/lubricant fluid, on the cutting machine’s performance can significantly reduce operational costs. This study evaluates the electrical current consumption of a disc cutting machine during the cutting of hard rocks for producing dimension rocks under different operating conditions and using different fluids for cooling/lubrication. For this purpose, a number of cutting tests were performed under different operating conditions (cutting depths of 0.5, 0.7, 1, and 1.3 cm and feed rates of 45, 60, 75, and 90 cm/min) with five cooling/lubrication fluids, including tap water, soap water with a ratio of 1:40 and 1:20, and a commercial cutting power (Abtarash) with a ratio of 30:10 and 15:10. After examining the relationship between operating parameters and the amperage draw of the cutting machine in the presence of five fluids, several linear and nonlinear multivariate statistical models were developed to predict the amperage draw of the cutting machine. The developed models were evaluated using the t-test and F-test statistical methods. The results showed that using the developed models, the amperage draw of the cutting machine can be accurately predicted from the properties of the cooling/lubrication fluid, including viscosity and pH.Jedan od najvažnijih koraka u obradi arhitektonsko-građevnoga kamena jest proces rezanja, koji uzrokuje visoku cijenu proizvodnje. Veličina električne struje kod strojeva za rezanje glavni je faktor troškova ovoga proizvodnog procesa. Određivanje radnih čimbenika, kao što su radne konfiguracije stroja, mehaničke i fizičke karakteristike stijene te vrsta tekućine za hlađenje/podmazivanje, na performanse stroja za rezanje može znatno smanjiti operativne troškove. Ovo istraživanje procijenilo je potrošnju električne struje reznoga stroja s diskom tijekom rezanja tvrdih stijena pri obradi arhitektonsko-građevnoga kamena u različitim radnim uvjetima i pri korištenju različitih tekućina za hlađenje/podmazivanje. Proveden je niz ispitivanja rezanja u različitim radnim uvjetima (dubine rezanja od 0,5, 0,7, 1 i 1,3 cm te brzine rezanje od 45, 60, 75 i 90 cm/min) s pet tekućina za hlađenje/podmazivanje, uključujući vodu iz slavine, sapunicu omjera 1 : 40 i 1 : 20 te komercijalni prah za rezanje (Abtarash) u omjeru 30 : 10 i 15 : 10. Nakon ispitivanja odnosa između radnih parametara i veličine struje reznoga stroja uz upotrebu pet tekućina razvijeno je nekoliko linearnih i nelinearnih multivarijantnih statističkih modela kako bi se predvidjela veličina struje reznoga stroja. Razvijeni modeli procijenjeni su statističkim metodama t-testa i F-testa. Rezultati su pokazali kako se pomoću razvijenih modela može točno procijeniti veličina struje stroja za rezanje iz svojstava tekućine za hlađenje/podmazivanje, uključujući viskoznost i PH

On the use of machine learning techniques for the mechanical characterization of soft biological tissues

Motivated by the search for new strategies for fitting a material model, a new approach is explored in the present work. The use of numerical and complex algorithms based on machine learning techniques such as support vector machines for regression, bagged decision trees, and artificial neural networks is proposed for solving the parameter identification of constitutive laws for soft biological tissues. First, the mathematical tools were trained with analytical uniaxial data (circumferential and longitudinal directions) as inputs, and their corresponding material parameters of the Gasser, Ogden, and Holzapfel strain energy function as outputs. The train and test errors show great efficiency during the training process in finding correlations between inputs and outputs; besides, the correlation coefficients were very close to 1. Second, the tool was validated with unseen observations of analytical circumferential and longitudinal uniaxial data. The results show an excellent agreement between the prediction of the material parameters of the strain energy function and the analytical curves. Finally, data from real circumferential and longitudinal uniaxial tests on different cardiovascular tissues were fitted; thus, the material model of these tissues was predicted. We found that the method was able to consistently identify model parameters, and we believe that the use of these numerical tools could lead to an improvement in the characterization of soft biological tissues

Digital Transformation in the Ornamental Stone Industry: Case Studies on Industry 4.0 and Digital Twins

Funding program "LISBOA-01-0247-FEDER-046083" for this R&D scholarship.The rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 technologies has ushered in a new era in manufacturing systems, with Digital Twins leading the way. These virtual replicas offer invaluable opportunities for simulating and optimizing new manufacturing processes, and their most transformative impact may lie in the creation of these digital models. This research unifies the main key concepts of four separate studies, all of which explore the application of Digital Twins in the ornamental stone industry. Industry 4.0 systems and their technologies have directly influenced the ornamental stone industry, addressing both the effects on mineral resources and energy consumption in daily operations. In addition, research and development initiatives seek to make this industry more efficient and sustainable, addressing crucial issues such as economic growth, environmental impact, and social welfare. The increasing digitization of manufacturing systems and their integration with digital models has played a key role in this process, enabling the replication of shop floor operations and the optimization of material use. The application of Digital Twins, which are virtual replicas of physical systems, has been explored in an ornamental stone manufacturing company. These digital models have demonstrated the ability to save time and resources during prototype design, as well as offering continuous diagnostics and optimization throughout production. It is important to note that the implementation of Digital Twins requires care due to technical challenges, but their adoption promises to significantly impact business value, despite the initial complexities. Managing stone cutting devices with Digital Twins presents real challenges in the ornamental stone industry, but it also paves the way for greater precision, efficiency, and cost savings. These digital models enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and virtual simulations. This study explores different approaches to connecting physical cutting machines to their respective Digital Twins, evaluating criteria such as communication speed, security, scalability, and cost. The results of this analysis provide valuable information for implementing Digital Twins in the stone cutting industry

Ornamental plant domestication by aesthetics-driven human cultural niche construction

Unlike plants that were domesticated to secure food, the domestication and breeding of ornamental plants are driven by aesthetic values. Here, we examine the major elements of the extended evolutionary synthesis (EES) theory that bridges the gap between the biology of ornamental plant domestication and the sociocultural motivations behind it. We propose that it involves specific elements of cumulative cultural evolution (CCE), plant gene-human culture coevolution (PGHCC), and niche construction (NC). Moreover, ornamental plant domestication represents an aesthetics-driven dimension of human niche construction that coevolved with socioeconomic changes and the adoption of new scientific technologies. Initially functioning as symbolic and aesthetic assets, ornamental plants became globally marketed material commodities as a result of the co-dependence of human CCE and prestige-competition motivations

Polishing Knowledge: A Study of Marble and Granite Processing

The aim of this article is to understand the work situations and highlight aspects of the knowledge invested by workers when performing marble and granite processing activities. The survey is qualitative and was based on the reality of a small industrial company that deals with processing activities. The case study was based on theoretical and analytical ergology tools by analyzing the organizational documents and safety and health standards that regulate activity. It involved conducting individual interviews with nine workers, organizing a focus group with these workers, and directly observing work for four months while recording a field notebook. The workers’ experiences in the renormalization of working processes, or the introduction of improvements guided by singular aspects of the local work organization, were identified. The workers, through use of oneself, place more importance on meeting deadlines and production targets than on their own safety. Worker competency is directly related to the professional training obtained on the job and is associated with working experience in the absence of an a priori formal education. This article contributes to the field of organizational studies and human resource management because there is a lack of studies on workers from this field that describe the competencies used in actual work. Thus it may guide theoretical and practical management aspects in such working environments and small businesses regarding safer work organization

Proceedings of the 2021 DigitalFUTURES

This open access book is a compilation of selected papers from 2021 DigitalFUTURES—The 3rd International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2021). The work focuses on novel techniques for computational design and robotic fabrication. The contents make valuable contributions to academic researchers, designers, and engineers in the industry. As well, readers encounter new ideas about understanding material intelligence in architecture

Granite By-Products for inverted pavement technique

As mentioned by Sardinia Region: ''Sustainable Development is what satisfies present's needs without shattering those of future generations, thanks to smart use of environmental resources and without waists''. This research aims to use a current resource available in high quantities in Sardinia to optimize the uses of the extracted materials and not to take just advantage of the Region. The mining activity in Sardinia, which is very important since ‘60s, during these years, has produced huge amounts of granite by-products. The ornamental use of granite is an important money source for Sardinia. Unfortunately, as the virgin material extracted must have high aesthetic qualities, many rock blocks are rejected. This research has the aim of making the most of the material stored in a quarry sites and of optimizing the uses of resource stone examined. The target is the use of granite by-products as material with high mechanical featured to be used for road pavements, from the foundation to surface. This research gives you the opportunity to make the most of regional resources, to minimize the thickness of asphalt, reducing the maintenance and realization costs. This is a good start for the Island to make money of something easy to export. Granite by-products will be used for the construction of innovative road pavement design. The Inverted Pavement Technique, studied and developed in South Africa since 1950, is going to be used for road infrastructure. In particular, I have focused the attention on the behavior of granular base layer. Thanks to this technique is actually possible to take advantage of mechanical features of base layer, creating base layers that assure high and long lasting performances with almost zero environmental costs. The Project is finalized to a sustainable design by using resources, considered as waste so far, present in the Sardinian Land and the minimal use of exhaustible and expensive row materials as asphalt layers. The increasing costs of petrol products and their limited availability leaded to find alternative solutions to flexible infrastructure everywhere in the world. Another target was to make sure that European and South African Regulation matched regarding granular aggregates. Through laboratory testing physical, chemical, and mechanical features of granite by-products were analyzed comparing to Dolerite, used in South Africa in the Inverted Pavement Technique

The HCA/Radcliffe red list of endangered crafts

This research, funded by the Radcliffe Trust and done on behalf of the Heritage Crafts Association (HCA), is the first of its kind in the UK. It set out to assess the current viability of every heritage craft taking place in the UK today and to identify those most at risk of disappearing. It drew on methodologies used by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Endangered Species, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s Watch List, and Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register. The research covered 169 crafts and identified four as having become extinct in the past ten years, seventeen as critically endangered, and 45 as endangered. The research also highlighted the key issues affecting the future sustainability of the crafts, and made recommendations as to how to support them in the future