Virtual Sensors for On-line Wheel Wear and Part Roughness Measurement in the Grinding Process

Grinding is an advanced machining process for the manufacturing of valuable complex and accurate parts for high added value sectors such as aerospace, wind generation, etc. Due to the extremely severe conditions inside grinding machines, critical process variables such as part surface finish or grinding wheel wear cannot be easily and cheaply measured on-line. In this paper a virtual sensor for on-line monitoring of those variables is presented. The sensor is based on the modelling ability of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for stochastic and non-linear processes such as grinding; the selected architecture is the Layer-Recurrent neural network. The sensor makes use of the relation between the variables to be measured and power consumption in the wheel spindle, which can be easily measured. A sensor calibration methodology is presented, and the levels of error that can be expected are discussed. Validation of the new sensor is carried out by comparing the sensor's results with actual measurements carried out in an industrial grinding machine. Results show excellent estimation performance for both wheel wear and surface roughness. In the case of wheel wear, the absolute error is within the range of microns (average value 32 mu m). In the case of surface finish, the absolute error is well below R-a 1 mu m (average value 0.32 mu m). The present approach can be easily generalized to other grinding operations.

A novel non-intrusive sampling technique for CO2 laser on-line beam monitoring utilising a silicon mirror

The measurement of high speed laser beam parameters during processing is a topic that has seen growing attention over the last few years as quality assurance places greater demand on the monitoring of the manufacturing process. The targets for any monitoring system is to be non-intrusive, low cost, simple to operate, high speed and capable of operation in process. A new ISO compliant system is presented based on the integration of an imaging plate and camera located behind a proprietary mirror sampling device. The general layout of the device is presented along with the thermal and optical performance of the sampling optic. Diagnostic performance of the system is compared with industry standard devices, demonstrating the high quality high speed data which has been generated using this system.

A working guide to the assessment, implementation and post project monitoring of fisheries habitat improvement schemes in South Cumbria

Due to changes in land use over the last century, the physical nature of many streams and rivers in the British Isles has probably changed. In some cases this change may be large for example as a result of flood defence schemes and is easily observed, whilst in other cases altered land use, farming, forestry or urbanization may have resulted in more subtle changes to river features. This working guide draws together a way of assessing habitat in any stream or river and determine sites or reaches on the assessed watercourse that may benefit from habitat improvement schemes. It will determine a method of measuring existing habitat in a broad sense, whilst referring to R and D studies currently being undertaken in this area. A method of prioritising any proposed habitat restoration work will be suggested. The limitations of fisheries improvement schemes in terms of cross functional acceptance (flood defence and conservation) will be examined along with suggested proposals for some example watercourses. The need for pre and post enhancement monitoring will be discussed as will the requirement for maintenance programs on schemes. Finally methods for determining the cost benefits of small schemes will be examined, compared to other currently used enhancement strategies. This will allow small scale revenue schemes to be used to back up pre project cost benefit analysis as required in future capital submissions.

膜厚监控误差及监控片不均匀对膜厚监控的影响

借助于VC＋＋编程从理论上模拟分析了膜厚监控误差以及监控片不均匀性对光学膜厚监控的影响。结果表明，膜厚监控误差和监控片的不均匀性都对监控曲线有影响；随着膜层层数的增加，监控片不均匀性逐渐增大。实验制备了多层规整薄膜并对其监控曲线进行了分析，分析表明考虑到膜厚监控误差和监控片不均匀性后计算的光学监控曲线和镀膜过程实测光学监控曲线吻合较好。这说明膜厚监控误差和监控片不均匀性是引起监控曲线与理论值偏离的重要因素。介绍了如何计算考虑膜厚监控误差和监控片不均匀性后的理论监控曲线。这将对膜厚自动监控，尤其是对非规整膜

River Wharfe fisheries monitoring report - summer 2001

This is a report on monitoring carried out in 2001 specifically in relation to effects of flows and abstractions on fisheries in the River Wharfe. The monitoring is a continuation of that started in relation to the Time Limited Abstraction Licences in 1996 and required by the new licences granted in 1999. It gives information regarding fish populations at a range of sites in the River Wharfe and also two tributary sites. It also gives recommendations for future investigations in relation to both Time Limited Licences and general broader issues.

River Ure fisheries monitoring report - summer 2001

Fish population studies in the River Ure have continued for their sixth successive year in order to examine and evaluate the effects of low flows and drought conditions particularly in relation to the Time Limited Licence abstraction at Kilgram Bridge, currently granted to Yorkshire Water Services. This monitoring report looks at the different fish populations and growth rates in the main river and tributaries, comparing the results to previous years. The report also looks at the general findings from angling, the medium term drought impacts, the abstraction impacts, and recommendations for investigations for 2002.

Environmental monitoring review group feedback

The Drought Monitoring workshop of October 1996, held at the Jarvis Leyland Hotel in Preston, England, established 4 priority issues for dealing with the question: How do we monitor the environment to pick up unexpected change ? 1. Review existing data, and review related study areas throughout the country. 2. Modelling and analysis of data 3. Monitoring / new data / sentinel species' 4. Public relations / Promotion. A group was set up to review issue 1 and feedback to the main group. This report establishes this feedback to the group and refers to existing data / monitoring, other Regional and national work, external Organisations and Recommendations. Appendix 1, is a summary of work completed at the workshop.