Objective The objective of this project was to develop a real-time thermal image processing system for the identification of flaws in fibre-reinforced composite materials. The technique involves the application of a short thermal radiation pulse which, as it diffuses through the target, appears as a time-variant surface temperature change, which can be monitored by a high-resolution thermal scanner. The programme was as follows: -development of low-noise thermal scanner, yielding multiple 2-D views with high resolution -development of image restoration and reconstruction algorithms yielding 3-D structure from 2-D sequences -development of software to recognise flaws from image-processed views -integration of hardware and software components into a prototype real-time thermal image processing system operating in an industrial environment. The objective of this project was to develop a real-time systems, thermal image processing system for the identification of flaws in fibre-reinforced composite materials. The technique involves the application of a short thermal radiation pulse which, as it diffuses through the target, appears as a time-variant surface temperature change, which can be monitored by a high resolution thermal scanner. A complete solution has been developed for solving the inverse problem of identifying interior flaws from surface thermograms. 3-dimension simulation models for thermal propagation have been developed which have been used to collate a database of thermal response parameters for composite materials. Numerous image-processing techniques, including mathematical morphology, have been employed to size and characterize flaws. A real-time prototype system has been employed and its performance assessed on synthetic samples and numerous practical composite parts.A complete solution has been developed for solving the inverse problem of identifying interior flaws from surface thermograms. 3-D simulation models for thermal propagation have been developed which have been used to collate a database of thermal responseparameters for composite materials. Numerous image-processing techniques, including mathematical morphology, have been employed to size and characterise flaws. Exploitation A real-time prototype system has been developed and its preference assessed, both on synthetic samples and numerous practical composite parts, in manufacturing environments at Westland Helicopters. The project was completed in June 1988, and a final report submitted. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwarenatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraftrotorcraft Programme(s) FP1-ESPRIT 1 - European programme (EEC) for research and development in information technologies (ESPRIT), 1984-1988 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator University of Strathclyde EU contribution No data Address Royal College 204 George Street G1 1XW Glasgow United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Barr and Stroud Ltd United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Anniesland Caxton Street G13 1HZ Glasgow See on map Total cost No data Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Panciatichi 64 50127 Firenze See on map Total cost No data
