RESEARCH NOTES
New system could cut costs, reduce off-quality production
An automated on-line inspection system that uses advanced vision technology, neural networks, fuzzy logic and wavelets to quickly identify defects in fabric has been successfully tested at an Alabama textile manufacturing plant.
photo by Stanley Leary
Industry representative Bart Krulic says the weaving
sensor is a low-cost way to enhance quality in the textile industry.
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The system could cut inspection costs and reduce the amount of off-quality production.
Developed by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the equipment could ultimately be the basis for an integrated electronic feedback system that would monitor and control quality processes throughout the manufacturing cycle.
Appalachian Electronics, Inc., a West Virginia maker of textile equipment, has licensed the technology and expects to turn the prototype into a commercial system that can be retrofitted to existing looms and installed in new machines.
"Quality is extremely important to our industry," says Bart Krulic, sales representative for the Industrial Fabrics Group of Johnston Industries, which tested the system at its Phenix City, Ala., factory. "The potential of this system is tremendous because it would be a low-cost measure that could be added to looms to improve quality."
Developed with support from the National Textile Center University Research Consortium, the system has operated on a loom at the company's Southern Phenix plant since July 1996. Krulic says the system has performed well, and he believes its use would give the company a strong competitive advantage by ensuring consistent, error-free inspection.
"This is a good opportunity to take our quality processes to the next stage," he adds. "You could reduce the labor and human error and improve the quality, making a company more competitive."
The new Georgia Tech system automatically identifies defects as the fabric comes off the loom, allowing immediate correction of process problems.
"This system allows you to prevent the production of defects by correcting problems more quickly on the machine," explains Dr. Lew Dorrity, a professor in the School of Textile and Fiber Engineering.
The system uses high-speed cameras to scan fabric. A computer analyzes the information using techniques that identify abnormal patterns.
The inspection system also can provide information that will help companies pinpoint factors that cause defects, as well as provide a record of weaving quality that manufacturers could use to optimize fabric use.
Adds Dr. George Vachtsevanos, a professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, "The software integrates learning and optimization tools that avoid false alarms and improve recognition accuracy."
Further information is available from Dr. Lew Dorrity, School of Textile and Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0295; or Dr. George Vachtsevanos, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0250 (Telephone: 404/894-9076, Dorrity; 404/894-6252, Vachtsevanos) (E-mail: lew.dorrity@textiles.gatech.edu; george.vachtsevanos@ece.gatech.edu). Information also available from Bart Krulic, sales representative for the Industrial Fabrics Group of Johnston Industries (Telephone: 334/768-1075) (FAX: (334/768-1148).
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Tg (glass transition temperature) greater than 350 degrees
Celsius;
Technology Insertion: Extending the Life of Military Electronics
Systems
Properly integrating new technology into older systems can keep them
running longer
photo by Stanley Leary
A GTRI researcher uses an automated test bed to cycle test an F-15 antenna
cable wrap.
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Because military electronics systems are remaining in service for longer and longer periods, they must evolve to meet new threats, yet remain reliable and affordable.
In many cases, these sometimes conflicting requirements can be satisfied with resourceful insertion of technology to alleviate obsolescence, increase reliability, lower costs and improve performance.
The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) develops cost-effective, innovative and reliable engineering solutions for extending the life of military electronics systems. GTRI develops, implements and field upgrades systems.
Capabilities range from studies evaluating optimum technology insertion strategies to the development and manufacturing support of flight-qualified hardware and software.
Further information and a brochure are available from Terry Tibbitts, Electronic Systems Laboratory, or Dr. Eric Sjoberg, Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0829. (Telephone: 404/894-7121, Tibbitts; 770/528-7779, Sjoberg) (E-mail: terry.tibbitts@gtri.gatech.edu, eric.sjoberg@gtri.gatech.edu
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Information Technology Challenges
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GTRI's information technology reserach achievements include the
Cell Engineering Tool, which predicts how radio waves transmit and are reflected
within buildings.
H2Fuel Bus Joins Augusta Transit Operations
Vehicle offers near-zero emissions
In the next decades, the world's supply of fossil fuels will decrease while concerns about air pollution and global warming will continue to grow.
photo by Jane McCoggins, Southeastern Technology Center
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An alternative is hydrogen fuels, which are safe, clean-burning and renewable.
In April, the H2Fuel Bus, developed by a coalition of academic, industry and government partners -- including GTRI -- was presented to Augusta-Richmond County Public Transit.
The bus, a prototype hydrogen-fueled, electric-powered vehicle with a metal hydride fuel storage system, will become part of regular transit operations for one year.
"The objective in this program is to prove that the metal hydride storage tanks can be safe and convenient, and that they can be user-friendly in commercial, utility vehicle operation," says Charles Stancil, a senior research engineer in GTRI's Aerospace Sciences and Transportation Laboratory.
With near-zero emissions, Stancil calls the bus "a key component to actions addressing air-quality issues."
GTRI researchers integrated the 33-foot bus's hybrid system, which consists of an internal combustion engine, electrical generator and metal hydride fuel storage system.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Augusta-Richmond County Public Transit are primary sponsors.
The metal hydride system was developed at DOE's Savannah River Site and provided by Westinghouse Savannah River Co. (WSRC).
Other major partners include the Southeastern Technology Center, Hydrogen Components, Inc., the Education, Research and Development Association of Georgia Universities, and Blue Bird Body Co.
Supporters say hydrogen, the universe's most abundant element, is an ideal replacement for fossil fuels. It could be converted from water through renewable processes like biomass (burning plants for fuel), solar or wind power.
The bus's fuel storage system uses metal hydrides, which absorb and retain hydrogen in a solid form when cooled, then release it slowly when heated. Hydrogen in this solid form is much safer than when it is a compressed gas or liquid.
"The transit experience will provide critical data for the commercialization of hydrogen vehicles," says Dr. William A. Summers of WSRC. "Operating data will provide a measurement of the performance, reliability and maintainability of the various system components, primarily the hydrogen engine and the metal hydride storage system."
Other industrial participants include Energy Research and Generation, Inc.; Power Technology Southeast, Inc.; Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.; Air Liquide America Corp.; and Northrop Grumman Corp.
Further information is available from Charles Stancil, Aerospace Sciences and Transportation Laboratory, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0844; or Dr. Earl J. Claire, Southeastern Technology Center. (Telephone: 770/528-3224, Stancil; or 706/722-3490, Claire) (E-mail: charles.stancil@gtri.gatech.edu, EJCLAIRE@aol.com)
Flannery Elected to Royal Irish Academy
photo by Stanley Leary
A leading theoretical physicist, Dr. Raymond Flannery
has been elected an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy.
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Dr. M. Raymond Flannery, Regents' Professor and the 1995 Distinguished Professor at Georgia Tech, recently was elected an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy of Science.
Flannery is one of the leading theoretical physicists researching recombination processes involving electrons, ions, atoms and molecules and the theory of atomic and molecular processes. Recombination processes are basic to the earth and planetary atmospheres, astrophysics and laboratory plasmas.
The Academy was founded in 1785 for "promoting the study of science, polite literature and antiquities." Honorary memberships in the Academy are limited to 30 members within the science section, and at least half of the honorary memberships must be scientists living outside of Ireland.
Currently included are Sir Michael Atiyah (Oxford), Francis Crick (Cambridge), Alexander Dalgarno (Harvard), Lord Flowers (London), Izrail Gelfand (Moscow), Gerhard Herzberg (Ottawa), Dorothy Hodgkin (Oxford), Sir Fred Hoyle (Cambridge) and Sir Andrew Huxley (London).
"Even being listed on the same page with, and being part of, such a distinguished and eminent body of scientists is quite a mind-numbing and humbling experience," Flannery says.
"I am indeed indebted to the Royal Irish Academy for this rare and singular honor. I cannot think of any award in this world which gives me the most intense and personal satisfaction. To be so recognized by my native Ireland is somewhat overwhelming. But the real satisfaction ultimately lies in the achievement, and not just in the reception."
Dr. Flannery also is a Fellow of The American Physical Society and The Institute of Physics (London).
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Last updated: July 31, 1997