Project – Picture processing in concrete production

The project is finalised.

Project start. 01.01 2007. Expected completion 31.12.2009.

The purpose behind the project is to find tools for use in picture processing, which can be used in the production of concrete. With this in mind, we intend to establish a 'toolbox' of methods and solutions, which can be used to better the production of complicated concrete subjects.

Picture resonance can occur in certain production environments, caused by both machine vibration and light variation (e.g. a normal 50Hz light bulb flickers 100 times per second) Resonance can also be caused by production materials becoming airborne during the cutting process. Below we can see a picture of a concrete-cutting robot both before and after resonance reduction.

In addition to picture resonance, positional requirements can also be a challenging factor, e.g. controlling directional placement and or a subject matter has moved in connection with the production process. This information could be available to the production machine, so the machine could stop the production process or correct the positional or production requirements.

Many of the aforementioned processes require calculation that an ordinary processor cannot complete within given time limits. Subsequently the need arises to consider other platforms possessing calculation abilities above that of a normal processor or specialized Digital Signal Processor.

This could be, for example, a re-programmable circuit – a FPGA, which possesses a higher calculation capacity, besides its flexibility with regards to future upgrades, the possibility of built-in processor with a wealth of external circuitry connections e.g. via Ethernet.

Project Objectives

• 2 articles regarding picture resonance reduction of both still & video pictures.
• 1 article focusing on verification and testing of singular algorithms on the platforms controlled by extreme tools. 
• 1 article that describes the production process.
• Display showing that picture resonance can be removed.
• Display of real-time platform verifying video & still picture processing can be done. The demonstration of which implements a reprogrammable platform using tools & methods provided by the host.

 Participants

• Concrete & Robot Technology; The Danish Technological Institute

Activities
The project is divided into two phases:

The first phase concentrates on finding algorithms suitable for solving control problems in robot technology and resonance reduction.

The second phase is the implementation of the algorithms on a reprogrammable platform to verify that the algorithms work in practice