In Situ Surface Defect Detection in Polymer Tube Extrusion: AI-Based Real-Time Monitoring Approach.

While striving to optimize overall efficiency, smart manufacturing systems face various problems presented by the aging workforce in modern society. The proportion of aging workers is rapidly increasing worldwide, and visual perception, which plays a key role in quality control, is significantly susceptible to the impact of aging. Thus it is necessary to understand these changes and implement state-of-the-art technologies as solutions. In this study, we conduct research to mitigate the negative effects of aging on visual recognition through the synergistic effects of real-time monitoring technology combining cameras and AI in polymer tube production. Cameras positioned strategically and with sophisticated AI within the manufacturing environment promote real-time defect detection and identification, enabling an immediate response. An immediate response to defects minimizes facility downtime and enhances the productivity of manufacturing industries. With excellent detection performance (approximately 99.24%) and speed (approximately 20 ms), simultaneous defects in a tube can be accurately detected in real time. Finally, real-time monitoring technology with adaptive features and superior performance can mitigate the negative impact of decreased visual perception in aging workers and is expected to improve quality consistency and quality management efficiency.

Tool-Wear-Estimation System in Milling Using Multi-View CNN Based on Reflected Infrared Images.

A novel method for tool wear estimation in milling using infrared (IR) laser vision and a deep-learning algorithm is proposed and demonstrated. The measurement device employs an IR line laser to irradiate the tool focal point at angles of -7.5°, 0.0°, and +7.5° to the vertical plane, and three cameras are placed at 45° intervals around the tool to collect the reflected IR light at different locations. For the processing materials and methods, a dry processing method was applied to a 100 mm × 100 mm × 40 mm SDK-11 workpiece through end milling and downward cutting using a TH308 insert. This device uses the diffused light reflected off the surface of a rotating tool roughened by flank wear, and a polarization filter is considered. As the measured tool wear images exhibit a low dynamic range of exposure, high dynamic range (HDR) images are obtained using an exposure fusion method. Finally, tool wear is estimated from the images using a multi-view convolutional neural network. As shown in the results of the estimated tool wear, a mean absolute error (MAE) of prediction error calculated was to be 9.5~35.21 µm. The proposed method can improve machining efficiency by reducing the downtime for tool wear measurement and by increasing tool life utilization.

Prediction of Drill Bit Breakage Using an Infrared Sensor.

In this paper, a novel drill bit breakage prediction method featuring a low-cost commercial infrared sensor to monitor drill bit corner wear is proposed. In the proposed method, the drill bit outer corner wear state can be monitored by measuring reflected infrared light because the reflection phenomenon is influenced by wear, edge shape, and surface roughness of the drill bit. In the experiments, a titanium workpiece was drilled without using cutting fluid to accelerate drill bit fracture. After drilling a hole in the workpiece, reflected infrared light was measured for the drill bit rotating at 100 rpm. Collected data on intensity of infrared light reflected from the circumferential surface of the drill bit versus the rotation angle of the drill bit were considered to predict tool breakage; two significant positions to predict tool breakage were found from the reflected infrared light graphs. By defining gradient vectors from the slopes of the reflected infrared light curves, a reliable criterion for determining drill bit breakage could be established. The proposed method offers possibilities for new measurement and analysis methods that have not been used in conventional tool wear and damage studies. The advantage of the proposed method is that the measurement device is easy to install and the measured signal is resistant to electromagnetic noise and ambient temperature because optical fiber is used as the signal transmission medium. It also eliminates the need for complex analysis of the measured signal, eliminating the need for a high-performance analyzer and reducing analysis time.

A technique for a nano-textured gapless microlens array using self-formation characteristics of anodic alumina.

This paper presents a method to utilize the growth properties of anodic alumina possessing self-formation characteristics to fabricate a nano-textured microstructure and also introduces an application technique of the proposed method. The growth rate of anodic alumina, fabricated on aluminum surfaces, has a strong dependence on the intensity of the applied current density or electric field. The uniformity of the thickness of anodic alumina is determined by its electrical distribution characteristics. Accordingly, microscale structures can be fabricated using the growth rate deviation of anodic alumina. A patterned insulative layer is an important factor that determines the current density distribution property of a local region. A computational analysis and a verification experiment can verify this characteristic through the correlation between structural dimensional conditions and a cross-section of the fabricated anodic alumina. The anodic alumina fabricated by the verification experiment in this study had a swollen shape and a nano & micro complex structure, in which a nanoscale base pattern was formed on all bottom surface due to the process characteristics. Based on the advantages of the proposed process, evidenced by the reliability evaluation results, gapless microlens array (MLA) replication molds with nanostructured surfaces were fabricated to verify the applicability of the proposed technique to other fields. A patterned insulative layer with a cylindrical cavity and dimensional conditions was designed to induce the fabrication of lens-shaped anodic alumina. The anodic alumina fabricated by the long process was selectively etched out, and an additional process was conducted to fabricate a nanoporous structure having controlled dimensional conditions on the engraved gapless MLA surface. The textured aluminum surface was used as a replication mold for the imprinting process. The analysis of the fabrication results showed that the gapless MLA surface had a nanopillar structure. In addition, we investigated the reflection characteristics of the fabricated gapless N-MLA structure according to the incident light and verified the low reflectance of the gapless microlens. The results of this study affirmed that the proposed technique is applicable to various fields including those concerning optical devices.

Secure reconstruction technique after partial nephrectomy irrespective of tumor size and location.

INTRODUCTION: Nephron-sparing surgery for large renal masses is not considered a safe procedure because of high complication rate. We present our experience using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) and Hem-O-Lok (Weck Clip) as hemostatic agents during open partial nephrectomy (OPN) to perform nephron-sparing surgery for large renal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients underwent OPN for suspicious renal cell carcinomas. Thirty-four patients with tumors < 2.5 cm in size underwent OPN with Gore-Tex alone (group 1). Clinical data from a computerized database were reviewed and compared to a contemporary group of 26 patients with tumors >or= 2.5 cm in size who underwent OPN with Gore-Tex and Hem-O-Lok (group 2). RESULTS: The mean patient age was 53 years (range, 35-85 years), and the mean duration of follow-up was 41.8 months (range, 6-56 months). The mean cold ischemic times were 24.0 minutes (range, 12-37 minutes) and 35.3 minutes (range, 18-65 minutes) respectively in group 1 and 2. The tumor sizes in groups 1 and 2 were 1.7 +/- 0.4 cm and 4.74 +/- 2.75 cm, respectively. No major complications, such as urine leakage or delayed bleeding, were noted in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Nephron-sparing surgery using Gore-Tex alone or a Gore-Tex and Hem-O-Lok combination was safe without high-priced hemostatic agents because the tensile strength was sufficient to maintain firmness in the repaired parenchyma. In addition, the procedure is easy to perform and takes less time to complete. Furthermore, major complications, recurrence, and impaired renal function did not occur with this procedure.

Secure reconstruction technique after partial nephrectomy irrespective of tumor size and location

Introduction: Nephron-sparing surgery for large renal masses is not considered a safe procedure because of high complication rate. We present our experience using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex®) and Hem-O-Lok® (Weck® Clip) as hemostatic agents during open partial nephrectomy (OPN) to perform nephron-sparing surgery for large renal masses. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients underwent OPN for suspicious renal cell carcinomas. Thirty-four patients with tumors < 2.5 cm in size underwent OPN with Gore-Tex® alone (group 1). Clinical data from a computerized database were reviewed and compared to a contemporary group of 26 patients with tumors ≥ 2.5 cm in size who underwent OPN with Gore-Tex® and Hem-O-Lok® (group 2). Results: The mean patient age was 53 years (range, 35-85 years), and the mean duration of follow-up was 41.8 months (range, 6-56 months). The mean cold ischemic times were 24.0 minutes (range, 12-37 minutes) and 35.3 minutes (range, 18-65 minutes) respectively in group 1 and 2. The tumor sizes in groups 1 and 2 were 1.7 ± 0.4 cm and 4.74 ± 2.75 cm, respectively. No major complications, such as urine leakage or delayed bleeding, were noted in either group. Conclusions: Nephron-sparing surgery using Gore-Tex® alone or a Gore-Tex® and Hem-O-Lok® combination was safe without high-priced hemostatic agents because the tensile strength was sufficient to maintain firmness in the repaired parenchyma. In addition, the procedure is easy to perform and takes less time to complete. Furthermore, major complications, recurrence, and impaired renal function did not occur with this procedure.

Simple use of the suppository type povidone-iodine can prevent infectious complications in transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

Purpose. To determine the effect of simple use of suppository povidone-iodine on infectious complications after transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the prostate. Methods. All 481 patients are included and received antibiotic prophylaxis. Among them, 360 patients received povidone-iodine suppository (Gynobetadine; 200 mg) immediately prior to biopsy and 121 patients did not. Infectious complications were classified. To evaluate bactericidal effects, we counted bacterial colonies in the rectum, harvested from a rectal swab before insertion of the suppository and after biopsy. Aliquots of the suspended bacterial strains were added to Mueller-Hinton agar medium for incubation. Colony counts were determined. Results. Infectious complications developed in 1 case (0.3%) in the rectal preparation group (Group 1) and in 8 cases (6.6%) in the nonrectal preparation group (Group 2). One in Group 1 had a fever without sepsis. Two patients had sepsis and six had fever without sepsis in Group 2. Rectal preparation was a statistically significant risk factor influencing the development of infectious complications. In vitro experiments, the mean number of colony-forming units decreased 99.9% after the rectal povidone-iodine preparation. Conclusions. All through the biopsy, povidone-iodine melted into the rectum and decreased the bacterial colony count. Simple use of povidone-iodine suppository before prostate biopsy minimizes the risk of infectious complications.

Evaluation of short term clinical effects and presumptive mechanism of botulinum toxin type A as a treatment modality of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and investigate the putative mechanism of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) applied to the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 52 patients with symptomatic BPH were evaluated. Transperineal intraprostatic injection under transrectal ultrasonography was carried out. BTA dissolved in 4 to 9 mL of saline was used from 100 U to 300 U, according to prostate volume. Twenty-six patients received only BTA (BT group), and 26 received both BTA and one month of an alpha-adrenergic antagonist (BTalpha group). The therapeutic outcomes were evaluated by comparing parameters such as international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life, prostate specific antigen, prostate volume, post-void residual urine, and peak urinary flow rate. At the one month follow- up, 18 patients in the BT group and 21 in the BTalpha group had subjective symptomatic relief (p = 0.337). Only IPSS5 (weak stream) was significantly different between the BT group and BTalpha groups (p = 0.034). At the three month follow-up, 39 patients had subjective symptomatic relief. The storage symptoms were improved more than the voiding symptoms. Additionally, about 50 percent of the patients whose voiding symptom improved expressed improved erectile function. BTA injection seems to be an alternative treatment for BPH. The differences after the one month evaluation between the BT and the BTalpha groups might suggest that the adrenergic influence could be relatively reinforced by the anticholinergic effect of BTA. Nitric oxide would thus be involved in a BTA action mechanism in BPH.