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).

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.

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.

An extrusion system (100) includes at least one sensor (102, 104) to detect localized presence of oil (701) on an exterior surface (715) or skin of wet extrudate material (714 e.g., ceramic material having a honeycomb cross-sectional shape), and at least one infrared emitting device (106, 108) configured to impinge infrared emissions on at least a portion of the exterior surface responsive to one or more sensor signals. Localized impingement of infrared emissions may reduce presence of oil streaks (701) without undue differential drying of the extrudate skin (715), and avoid surface fissures that would otherwise result in fired ceramic bodies. Separately controllable infrared emitters (502), or at least one controllable infrared blocking or redirecting element (603), may be used to impinge infrared emissions on selected areas. A humidification section (120) arranged downstream of infrared emitters (106, 108) may be used to at least partially rehydrate the wet extrudate material, if necessary.

A method of detecting an air gap in a gypsum-based building board includes cooling a surface of a gypsum-based building board that has generated heat because of a hydration reaction of calcined gypsum by applying a cooling medium to the surface, and detecting a temperature distribution of the surface of the gypsum-based building board after completion of the cooling.

There is described an online inspection method and system having an illumination system that provides bright-field and dark-field illumination concurrently or sequentially, at varying intensities, in order to acquire images that may be read by an image processing device. The image processing device may obtain measurements of features in the images and evaluate acceptability of the features.

Embodiments of a system and a method for measuring cementitious board during its continuous manufacture can be used online in a continuous manufacturing process to effectively determine the degree to which cementitious slurry has set (e.g., expressed as percent hydration) at a predetermined location, such as, near a cutting station, for example. A compression assembly can be used to compressively engage the cementitious board in a controlled manner as it passes by the compression member along the conveyor between the forming station and the cutting station. A force gauge can be associated with the compression member to measure the resistance force exerted by the cementitious board in response to being compressed by the compression member. The resistance force can be correlated to a set characteristic of the cementitious board, such as a numerical value of percent hydration of the cementitious slurry of that particular portion of the cementitious board.

In-line inspection and control system to in-situ monitor an extrudate during extrusion. A light beam illuminates a line on the outside circumference of the extrudate skin recording the curvature. A master profile of the illuminated defect-free skin is recorded and compared to successive monitoring of the illuminated skin. Differences from the comparison indicate skin and/or shape defects. A real-time feedback to automatically adjust process control hardware reduces or eliminates the skin and shape defects based on the monitoring and comparison.

A carbon nanofiber aggregate (CNFA) system and method provides self-sensing capabilities that can be used to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may include cement, aggregate, silica fume, high-range water reducer (HRWR), and/or carbon nanofibers. The metal meshes in the CNFA may be utilized to monitor the electric properties of the CNFA to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may be embedded in concrete structures to allow detection of strain, moisture, and temperature changes that may cause damage to structures. Several metal meshes may be embedded in the CNFA.

The method of predicting a formed body density includes: a correlation calculating step of obtaining the correlation between the formed body density of the formed body and the porosity of the fired body; and a formed body density predicting step including: in a case of preparing a kneaded material A from a ceramic raw material having substantially the same composition as a ceramic raw material used for preparing a kneaded material, preparing a formed body B by forming the kneaded material A, preparing a dried body C by drying the formed body B, and preparing a fired body D having a desired porosity by firing the dried body C, calculating a predicted value of the formed body density of the formed body B corresponding to the desired porosity of the fired body D using the correlation.