IOBSERVER: species recognition via computer vision

This paper is about the design of an automated computer vision system that is able to recognize the species of fish individuals that are classified into a fishing vessel and produces a report file with that information. This system is called iObserver and it is a part of project Life-iSEAS (Life program).A very first version of the system has been tested at the oceanographic vessel “Miguel Oliver”. At the time of writing a more advanced prototype is being tested onboard other oceanographic vessel: “Vizconde de Eza”. We will describe the hardware design and the algorithms used by the computer vision software.Peer Reviewe

Application of a Hybrid 3D-2D Laser Scanning System to the Characterization of Slate Slabs

Dimensional control based on 3D laser scanning techniques is widely used in practice. We describe the application of a hybrid 3D-2D laser scanning system to the characterization of slate slabs with structural defects that are difficult for the human eye to characterize objectively. Our study is based on automating the process using a 3D laser scanner and a 2D camera. Our results demonstrate that the application of this hybrid system optimally characterizes slate slabs in terms of the defects described by the Spanish UNE-EN 12326-1 standard

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

The rock processing sector: part i: cutting technology tools, a new diamond segment band saw part ii: study of cutting forces

This article presents the state of the art in cutting procedures used for ornamental stone processing: primarily diamond segment discs, diamond wires and frame saws. In all these, a reduction in cutting thickness has a direct repercussion on profitability. A new tool is presented with a cutting thickness half that of the best achieved in conventional tools: a band saw with welded diamond segments. The first prototypes are built, cutting tests are carried out and the features of the cut are studied. In the second part, existing studies on measurement of cutting force in conventional tools are reviewed and the prototype band saw machine is monitored. Cutting forces in this new process are studied, with measurement of tangential force and feed force under various working conditions

Study of a Steel’s Energy Absorption System for Heavy Quadricycles and Nonlinear Explicit Dynamic Analysis of its Behavior under Impact by FEM

Current knowledge of the behavior of heavy quadricycles under impact is still very poor. One of the most significant causes is the lack of energy absorption in the vehicle frame or its steel chassis structure. For this reason, special steels (with yield stresses equal to or greater than 350 MPa) are commonly used in the automotive industry due to their great strain hardening properties along the plastic zone, which allows good energy absorption under impact. This paper presents a proposal for a steel quadricycle energy absorption system which meets the percentages of energy absorption for conventional vehicles systems. This proposal is validated by explicit dynamics simulation, which will define the whole problem mathematically and verify behavior under impact at speeds of 40 km/h and 56 km/h using the finite element method (FEM). One of the main consequences of this study is that this FEM–based methodology can tackle high nonlinear problems like this one with success, avoiding the need to carry out experimental tests, with consequent economical savings since experimental tests are very expensive. Finally, the conclusions from this innovative research work are given