Objectif A complete prototype for visual inspection of ceramic tiles has been integrated and installed at the production plant; it has been used to carry out tests against real products in real environmental conditions. A significant set of tile products has been identified and tested. Two sets of techniques, a quick and a sophisticated one, have been tested. The quick one, suitable for real-time processing, obtained results comparable with human ones in uniformly coloured tiles and in some kind of textured tiles; it performed less reliably in pseudo-random textured tiles (marble like). The sophisticated approach, tested in the laboratory, detected defects in all kinds of products examined, both in plain and in textured tiles. Excellent results have also been reached in colour grading, comparable with those of specialised operators but more time-invariant. The expert system has been implemented and partially tested. More extensive tests will be possible only on the final product after an extensive training on line.The project aims at developing a pre-competitive image processing system for visual inspection of ceramic tiles towards automated surface quality analysis and storage.The project deals with the definition and implementation of an advanced equipment for high-resolution colour-image acquisition, based on a newly developed sensor, the implementation of appropriate image analysis algorithms for colour measurement, texture characterization, and defect detection in ceramic tiles, and their integration into an automated inspection system.The research effort will then address the problem of objectively analyzing and characterezing tile surfaces (with texture and color features) in order to reject tiles, if pattern faults or defects are found, or to sort them into different categories. The inspecting (CCDE camera) and measuring tools, together with thesoftware module for data processing and classification, will be incorporated into a prototype system, which will be used to carry out on-site exhaustive evaluation of performances of the novel instrumentation.The research program is designed to devise a non-contact inspection and measuring tool that, once completely industrialized and commercially available, will replace the current obsolete and subjective inspection procedures, carried out manually. As a result, the human attendance in hazardous environments will be significantly reduced. In addition, it will play a crucial role in advancing the development of ceramic tile manufacturing process and, in this respect, it will help in maintaining and consolidating the leadership that the European Community countries currently enjoy in this area. This will be the first time that a so sophisticated integrated research programm will be carried out in this industrial sector. Champ scientifique engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcolorsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligenceexpert systemsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringceramics Programme(s) FP3-BRITE/EURAM 2 - Specific programme (EEC) of research and technological development in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1990-1994 Thème(s) 2.2.1 - Tools, techniques and systems for high quality manufacturing Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur Bull Italia SpA Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Via del Parlamento 33 20098 Borgolombardo Milano Italie Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (5) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire 1T - One Tile SpA Italie Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Contrada Selciatella 03012 Anagni Frosinone Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Bull AG Allemagne Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Theodor-Heuss-Straße 60-66 51149 Köln Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée THOMSON TCS France Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 50 RUE JEAN PIERRE TIMBAUD 92400 COURBEVOIE Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Thomson CSF France Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 3 avenue de Belle Fontaine 35510 Cesson-Sévigne Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA Italie Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Via Opera Pia 11 a 16145 GENOVA Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée