aMechanical Engineering Department, University of Kentucky, 151 RGAN Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0503, United States
bToyota Motor Corporation, Aichi 444–2136, Japan
Abstract:
This paper describes a newly-developed automated thermal system for detection of seeds on newly painted car shells. The system’s novel approach is to use thermal emission; previously applied techniques relied on light reflection strategies. The system is described beginning with analytical modeling of the underlying detection theory to verification on a pilot run in an automotive production line. Parker’s flash procedure, using a thermal detector, was performed to extract the thermal properties of inspected panels. New computer logic developed in-house for processing the acquired thermograms is also presented.