Online contour computing for process control

Production of high quality metals and alloys can be performed by spraying molten metal though a nozzle and compacting the metal together with some additives. The compacted material may form a special shape and must be transported out of spraying area. The problem of automized controlling the shape of the compacted material, the transport and also the quality of the compacted material during the production process up to now was not solved. The process is monitored by a video camera. The operator of the process had to study the process on the video monitor and adjust the process parameters manually. A new system for online picture processing extracts the contour of the compacted material automatically and computes the necessary adjustment of a main process parameter.