ResearchActivities

Optical digitization

Abstract:
This research aims to address the limitations of optical digitization in industrial environments using advanced techniques and innovative methods. It focuses on developing cutting-edge solutions to enhance the precision, efficiency, and robustness of optical metrology systems, making them well-suited for complex industrial applications.

Main objectives:

  • To integrate contactless metrology systems into design and production processes across various industries.

  • To improve the accuracy of the optical metrology systems, particularly for high-temperature measurements of hot forgings.

  • To assess the performance of commercially available matte coatings.

Research content:
Optical digitization has become a crucial tool in industrial applications, offering significant advantages over traditional tactile metrology methods. However, it still faces numerous challenges in real-world industrial environments, which often differ greatly from controlled laboratory conditions. These include measuring optically challenging surfaces, measuring high-temperature body surfaces like hot forgings, and performing online measurements during manufacturing processes.

This research tackles these limitations with innovative image processing techniques and surface treatment methods. The focus is on enhancing measurement accuracy using advanced sub-pixel and super-resolution algorithms, improving speed by optimizing the number of measurement positions, and strengthen robustness in industrial settings with specialized filtering methods. A significant aspect of the research involves assessing commercially available matte coatings and refining optical metrology systems for hot forging applications, aiming to reduce the impact of high temperatures on measurement accuracy.

One of the key achievements include the development of a novel porosity analysis procedure for SLM production quality inspection using CT data, correlated with high-resolution metallographic images. There was also created a robust circular coded target system for photogrammetric tasks that excels in challenging environments, outperforming existing solutions. Furthermore, the in-depth analysis of geometric deviations in SLM-manufactured lattice structures has led to a versatile FEA material model that applies across different strut diameters. These advancements significantly enhance the precision and efficiency of optical metrology in industrial applications.

Publications:
HURNÍK, J.; ZATOČILOVÁ, A.; PALOUŠEK, D. Circular coded target system for industrial applications. MACHINE VISION AND APPLICATIONS, 2021, vol. 32, no. 1, p. 1-14. ISSN: 0932-8092. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00138-020-01159-1

ZIKMUND, T.; ŠALPLACHTA, J.; ZATOČILOVÁ, A.; BŘÍNEK, A.; PANTĚLEJEV, L. et al. Computed tomography based procedure for reproducible porosity measurement of additive manufactured samples. NDT & E International. 2019, vol. 103, n. April 2019, p. 111-118. ISSN 09638695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ndteint.2019.02.008

VRÁNA, R.; KOUTECKÝ, T.; ČERVINEK, O.; ZIKMUND, T.; PANTĚLEJEV, L. et al. Deviations of the SLM Produced Lattice Structures and Their Influence on Mechanical Properties. Online. Materials. 2022, vol. 15, n. 9, p. 1-20. ISSN 1996-1944.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15093144

Partners and Collaboration:
Central European Institute of Technology, Purkyňova 123, Brno, Czech Republic.

University of Nottingham, Manufacturing Metrology Team, Nottingham NG7 2RD, Nottingham, England.

Projects:
Development of additive and small series technologies for vehicle models production, Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovations for Competitiveness – Application, CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0 /21_374/0026427, 2021-2023.

Architectured materials designed for additive manufacturing (ArMAdit), EU Operational Programme Research, Development and Education, EF16_025/0007304, 2018-2022.

Contact person:
Ing. Tomáš Koutecký, Ph.D.