A system for performing the inspection of a concrete block includes a conveyor, a weighing module and a scanning module. The conveyor extends along a conveying axis and conveys a support plate with the concrete block supported thereon. The weighing module weighs the support plate with the concrete block supported thereon. The scanning module includes a scanner scanning the upper surface of the concrete block and the upper surface of the support plate. The scanner is displaceable along a scanning axis and has a scanning range covering an entirety of an upper surface of the concrete block supported on the support plate and a section of the upper surface of the support plate extending from at least two consecutive lower edges of the concrete block supported on the support plate. A method performs the inspection of a concrete block.

Embodiments of a system and a method for determining an edge hardness value for a cementitious board can be used to effectively determine the hardness of the board after it has been made and dried at a predetermined location, such as, at a stacking station, for example. An actuator assembly can manipulate a punch such that the punch is inserted into one of the edges of one of the cementitious boards in the stacker in a controlled manner. A force gauge can be associated with the punch to measure the resistance force exerted by the cementitious board in response to the punch being inserted into its edge. The measured resistance force can be used to determine the edge hardness value.

A decoration line including a conveyor of the products on which to apply the enamel, at least a first enamelling machine of the spray type actuated by piezoelectric-driven nozzles suitable for applying, on the products transiting on the conveyor, at least one first substantially full layer of enamel of the vitreous type in suspension in liquid suspending agent suitable for being processed in a digital decorative system for creating base or a covering layer on the products and at least a second enamelling machine, positioned downstream of said first machine, of the spray type actuated by piezoelectric-driven nozzles suitable for applying, on the products transiting on the conveyor, at least a second substantially discontinuous layer of enamel of the vitreous or pigmented type in suspension in liquid suspending agent suitable for being processed in a digital decorative system for creating decoration or finishing effects on the products.

A protocol-based inspection system that includes an illumination system, an imaging system configured to capture a surface image of a composite component based on illumination of the composite component using visible light, a component mount configured to rotate the composite component relative to at least the imaging system, and a computing device configured to perform an automated inspection protocol to cause the illumination system to illuminate the composite component using visible light, cause the imaging system to capture at least one surface image of the composite component in response to the illumination of the composite component using the visible light, perform a fuzzy logic analysis on the at least one surface image to detect a surface defect on the composite component that includes a fiber tow mis-weave, an exposed fiber tow, or a surface nodule, and output an indication of the surface defect via a user interface.

An imaging device for an additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a material. The imaging device includes a high resolution imaging bar including at least one detector array, and an imaging element positioned between the at least one detector array and the material. The high resolution imaging bar is displaced from the material along a first direction and extends along a second direction. The high resolution imaging bar is configured to generate an image of a build layer within the material.

An inspection system for a fabricated object formed by layering powder includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image of a surface of each of layers, an identification unit that identifies a defect portion (protruding portion or recessed portion) on the surface of the powder and a position of the defect portion based on the acquired image, and a determination unit that determines that an abnormality occurs when the defect portion successively occurs at a same position in the plurality of layers.

Disclosed herein are methods for controlling and/or predicting the shrinkage and/or growth of a ceramic honeycomb structure between a green body state and a fired state by adjusting the hydrated alumina content of the batch composition. Also disclosed herein is substantially clay-free cordierite honeycombs produced in accordance with such methods.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for back end control of translation and rotation of green ware (e.g., producible from ceramic extrudate). A green ware handling system (102) includes a back end assembly (129) that contacts a back end face (118B) of a green ware (116) and moves to push the green ware (116) along the support channel (114). In certain embodiments, the green ware handling assembly (102) includes a leading end assembly (128) to pull the green ware (116) and then transfer control to the back end assembly (129), which translates and also optionally rotates the green ware (116). This handoff increases the overall production rate of the green ware (116). In certain embodiments, the back end assembly (129) penetrates the back end face (118B) of the green ware (116) with cleat penetration features (312) to provide a secure engagement with the green ware (116) to rotate and translate the green ware (116) while also decreasing a depth of damage to the green ware (116).