Method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection of a log to identify inner zones that are free of bluestain

This invention relates to a method for non-destructive inspection of a log (1) to identify inner zones of sapwood (14) of the log (1) that have not been attacked by fungi that cause bluestain in the wood. The method comprises a first step of carrying out a tomographic scan of the log (1) to be inspected using X-ray beams that pass through the log (1) and a second step of obtaining a three-dimensional representation of the log (1) that is representative of the local moisture content of the log, the local moisture content being correlated with attenuation of the X-ray beams through the log. The method comprises the step of processing the three-dimensional representation of the log (1) to identify inner regions (145) of the log (1), in which the local moisture content is greater than or equal to a moisture threshold value for a spatial extent greater than an extent threshold. The moisture threshold value corresponds, for trees of the same species as the log (1), to a sapwood (14) with local moisture content such that it excludes the growth of fungi that cause bluestain in the wood. Each inner region (145) identified in this way is classed as a sapwood (14) zone free of bluestain. This invention also relates to a procedure for obtaining one or more wooden products from a log (1), as well as an apparatus for carrying out a non-destructive inspection of a log (1)

Schermo per raggi X

Schermo per raggi X comprendente un pannello principale (2) che comprende almeno un primo strato di un primo materiale assorbente per raggi X e che presenta una superficie principale (21) destinata in uso ad essere rivolta verso una sorgente di raggi X; ed una pluralità di lamelle (3) associate al pannello principale (2),che si sviluppano ciascuna trasversalmente alla superficie principale (21) e che comprendono a propria volta almeno un secondo strato di un secondo materiale assorbente per raggi X; le lamelle (3) essendo preferibilmente disposte in modo tale da trovarsi, in uso, parallele o quasi alle direzioni di propagazione delle radiazioni generate da scattering di maggiore intensità

Metodo e dispositivo per misurare una o più componenti di moto di un tronco

Metodo e relativo dispositivo per misurare una o più componenti di moto di un tronco (1), in cui il metodo comprende le fasi di determinare una posizione spaziale tridimensionale iniziale di una pluralità di punti reali di una superficie esterna del tronco (1), determinare una 5 prima posizione spaziale tridimensionale della pluralità di punti reali ad un primo istante successivo, e confrontare la prima posizione spaziale tridimensionale con la posizione spaziale tridimensionale iniziale e sulla base di tale confronto calcolare il moto compiuto dal tronco (1); ciascuna fase di determinare la 10 posizione spaziale tridimensionale di punti reali della superficie esterna del tronco (1) essendo eseguita utilizzando un dispositivo di visione stereoscopica (2) che comprende almeno un primo dispositivo di acquisizione immagini (3) ed un secondo dispositivo di acquisizione immagini (4)

A Fast and Continuous CT scanner for the optimization of logs in a sawmill

CT Log is a CT scanner used in an industrial process at very high speed in order to optimize the production of wood boards and other wood products. The scanner can reach 160 m/min, the typical speed at which wood logs are sawn in the sawmills. After the logs pass though the scanner, the images are reconstructed and processed in order to allow the automatic optimization of the cutting pattern according to the constraints set by wood defects and the value of the different products. Building a a buffer between the scanner and the sawing line is expensive and often not possible because of constraints on the plant layout The time available for the entire processing is therefore very short, because it must be completed before the log reaches the breakdown equipment. In this paper, we present the structure of the scanner and the way we implemented the different stages of processing in order maximize the speed of the elaboration

Method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection of fruits having an axis of rotational symmetry

This invention relates to a method for non-destructive inspection of a fruit (1) having an axis of rotational symmetry (10). The method comprises the step of positioning the fruit (1) in such a way that its axis of rotational symmetry (10) has an orientation that is substantially parallel to a predetermined plane (20) and the step of radiographing the fruit (1), where the direction of emission of X-rays is substantially perpendicular to said predetermined plane (20) and an X-ray image obtained (41) lies on said predetermined plane (20). The X-ray image obtained (41) is processed to calculate, at corresponding points of the X-ray image (41), respective values of attenuation of the X-ray signal through the fruit (1). The X-ray image (41) is divided into a plurality of sections (415) which are perpendicular to the projection (410) of the axis of rotational symmetry (10) on the predetermined plane (20). Each section (415) is the projection of a corresponding slice of the fruit (1) that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotational symmetry (10). For each section (415), the deviation between a signal attenuation trend obtained from processing the X-ray image and a reference trend, or the deviation between a trend of a local coefficient of average attenuation obtained from processing the X-ray image and a trend with constant value, is examined in order to identify any anomalies, discontinuities or variations which are indicative of respective nonuniformities in the corresponding slice of fruit. This invention also relates to an apparatus (9) for carrying out a non-destructive inspection of a fruit (1) having an axis of rotational symmetry (10), said apparatus being configured for implementing the method according to the invention

Metodo per stabilire una corrispondenza a posteriori tra un pezzo di legno ed un tronco da cui il pezzo di legno era stato ottenuto

Metodo per stabilire una corrispondenza a posteriori tra un pezzo di legno ed un tronco da cui pezzo di legno sia stato ottenuto, comprendente le seguenti fasi operative: eseguire una tomografia del tronco di legno, calcolare o selezionare uno schema di taglio del tronco, determinare una o più caratteristiche individualizzanti virtuali legate alla distribuzione e/o dimensione di caratteristiche fisiche del tronco all'interno e/o sulla superficie del pezzo di legno virtuale stesso a partire dalle informazioni tomografiche disponibili, memorizzarle in una banca dati, in abbinamento ad informazioni circa l'identità del tronco, suddividere il tronco in pezzi di legno reali secondo lo schema di taglio, acquisire informazioni reali circa la distribuzione e/o la dimensione di caratteristiche fisiche del tronco all'interno e/o sulla superficie di un pezzo di legno reale e determinare corrispondenti caratteristiche individualizzanti reali da confrontare con caratteristiche individualizzanti virtuali memorizzate e identificare un'origine del pezzo di legno reale sulla base delle informazioni circa l'identità del tronco memorizzate in abbinamento alle caratteristiche individualizzanti virtuali che corrispondono alle caratteristiche individualizzanti reali

Improving Knot Segmentation Using Deep Learning Techniques

In the context of Computed Tomography scanning of logs, accurate detection of knots is key for delivering a successful product. Reliable detection of knots in the sapwood is hard with traditional computer vision techniques, because of the different density conditions between sapwood and heartwood. The advancements provided by deep learning in the field of semantic image segmentation kick-started a new way of approaching such problems: deep neural networks can be trained on large amounts of labelled data and successfully employed in production environments to improve the performances on knot detection. Adapting state-of-the-art network architectures and using more than 10.000 labelled knots from pine and spruce logs, we were able to develop a new two-step approach for identifying knots in CT scans of logs with unprecedented accuracy while at the same time satisfying the time constraints that a real-time industrial application needs. The first step runs on the log’s axis, while the second runs on each candidate knot’s axis. False positives from the first step are very rare (even with dry/dried logs), so no computational power is wasted for non-existing knots. Using this approach, we are able to see the internal defects of a log in real time in the production chain without having to cut it first, therefore being able to optimize even more the output of the chain on each client’s requirements

Cross-Dataset Data Augmentation for Convolutional Neural Networks Training

Within modern Deep Learning setups, data augmentation is the weapon of choice when dealing with narrow datasets or with a poor range of different samples. However, the benefits of data augmentation are abysmal when applied to a dataset which is inherently unable to cover all the categories to be classified with a significant number of samples. To deal with such desperate scenarios, we propose a possible last resort: Cross-Dataset Data Augmentation. That is, the creation of new samples by morphing observations from a different source into credible specimens for the training dataset. Of course specific and strict conditions must be satisfied for this trick to work. In this paper we propose a general set of strategies and rules for Cross-Dataset Data Augmentation and we demonstrate its feasibility over a concrete case study. Even without defining any new formal approach, we think that the preliminary results of our paper are worth to produce a broader discussion on this topic

Coastal high-frequency radars in the Mediterranean ??? Part 1: Status of operations and a framework for future development

Due to the semi-enclosed nature of the Mediterranean Sea, natural disasters and anthropogenic activities impose stronger pressures on its coastal ecosystems than in any other sea of the world.With the aim of responding adequately to science priorities and societal challenges, littoral waters must be effectively monitored with high-frequency radar (HFR) systems. This land-based remote sensing technology can provide, in near-real time, fine-resolution maps of the surface circulation over broad coastal areas, along with reliable directional wave and wind information. The main goal of this work is to showcase the current status of the Mediterranean HFR network and the future roadmap for orchestrated actions. Ongoing collaborative efforts and recent progress of this regional alliance are not only described but also connected with other European initiatives and global frameworks, highlighting the advantages of this cost-effective instrument for the multi-parameter monitoring of the sea state. Coordinated endeavors between HFR operators from different multi-disciplinary institutions are mandatory to reach a mature stage at both national and regional levels, striving to do the following: (i) harmonize deployment and maintenance practices; (ii) standardize data, metadata, and quality control procedures; (iii) centralize data management, visualization, and access platforms; and (iv) develop practical applications of societal benefit that can be used for strategic planning and informed decision-making in the Mediterranean marine environment. Such fit-for-purpose applications can serve for search and rescue operations, safe vessel navigation, tracking of marine pollutants, the monitoring of extreme events, the investigation of transport processes, and the connectivity between offshore waters and coastal ecosystems. Finally, future prospects within the Mediterranean framework are discussed along with a wealth of socioeconomic, technical, and scientific challenges to be faced during the implementatio

Method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection of a log to identify inner zones that are free of bluestain

This invention relates to a method for non-destructive inspection of a log (1) to identify inner zones of sapwood (14) of the log (1) that have not been attacked by fungi that cause bluestain in the wood. The method comprises a first step of carrying out a tomographic scan of the log (1) to be inspected using X-ray beams that pass through the log (1) and a second step of obtaining a three-dimensional representation of the log (1) that is representative of the local moisture content of the log, the local moisture content being correlated with attenuation of the X-ray beams through the log. The method comprises the step of processing the three-dimensional representation of the log (1) to identify inner regions (145) of the log (1), in which the local moisture content is greater than or equal to a moisture threshold value for a spatial extent greater than an extent threshold. The moisture threshold value corresponds, for trees of the same species as the log (1), to a sapwood (14) with local moisture content such that it excludes the growth of fungi that cause bluestain in the wood. Each inner region (145) identified in this way is classed as a sapwood (14) zone free of bluestain. This invention also relates to a procedure for obtaining one or more wooden products from a log (1), as well as an apparatus for carrying out a non-destructive inspection of a log (1)