This on line system was developed to measure wave distortions in the surface of ceiling tile. It allows engineers to determine the effectiveness of modifications to the drying process by measuring the amplitude of the waves to +/-0.005”. Under certain circumstances the drying process can create waves in the ceiling tile surface that were large enough to warrant a sanding process. The sanding process waists a great deal of product. With this system the engineers are able to identify the culprits of the waves and eliminate the sanding process. This system has been installed in Europe and the United States.

On-line system for monitoring the quality of an alcohol based coating sprayed on ceiling tile. The spray heads accumulate contaminants causing uneven spray distribution. The system inspects the spray pattern between the spray head and the tile surface while the spray is traveling through the air. Since the system resides in the volatile spray chamber, the overall design incorporates explosion-proof enclosures and sophisticated venting technologies. The operator sets up the spraying system and achieves the correct spray output. The system then "learns" the current pattern of the particular spray stream. Upon detection of fluctuations in the spray stream pattern, an alarm signal warns the operator of the current spray stream condition.

On-line system for measurement of print registration marks between pre-punched laminated floor tiles. The manufacturing process presses a printed laminent onto a continuous strip of asphalt with functional and adjustable tension applied to the laminent at the pressing area. The variable tension can cause the printed image on the laminent to distort. The system measures the distance between the registration marks (approximately 12.3") in machine direction (MD) and across machine direction (AMD). Measurements are made in real-time (4 tiles per second) to an accuracy of 0.002". The system incorporates PID control loop technology to control the tension applied to the laminent and to reduce the tile image distortion.

Portable system for measurement of position registration marks punched into sheet floor tile for determination of the amount of positional error in the manufacturing process. During the manufacturing process, floor tile is indexed a predetermined distance between processes and the indexing motion must move the tile a consistent, accurate distance. The portable vision system is placed at different stations on the manufacturing lines to gather positional accuracy and repeatability data to an accuracy of 0.0002". The system enables plant engineers to identify and correct problem areas in the tile transport system.