Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:57:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JoaoMS.pdf: 1515806 bytes, checksum: fd1b665e0003e03823a56f9ce0f2eaaf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-11 / Petr?leo Brasileiro SA - PETROBRAS / The modern technology of materials and structural integrity of pipelines requests the use of inspection tools named inspection pigs to detect, localize and measure the length, width and depth dimensions of the thickness losses of walls of buried and underwater pipelines in service. These tools run them internally, performing and recording measurements, with performance that varies according to the pig s technology. It has been developed recently an instrumented pig technology, called feller pig. This work aims to indicate factors that influence the feller pig technology performance in the detection and in the accuracy of measurement of the length, width and depth dimensions of the thickness losses on the internal surface of an oil pipeline wall under normal conditions of oil pipe inspection with pig. In this work, is made a collection of factors and an analyses of the technology based on the available literature, as well as an experiment to observe the technology and the factors operating. In the experiment, a feeler pig is used in a pipeline built in carbon steel and in operation that flows petroleum, in witch are observed areas with internal thickness losses occurred naturally. Some of these areas and their dimensions taken by automated ultra-sound scanner are compared with the ones indicated by the feller pig. Based on the data collection, on the analysis and on the experiment, the influence of factors object of this research is discussed. It is concluded that, among these, there are factors related to pipe fabrication tolerances, to wear of pig components, to internal adhesive wear of pipeline, to other pipeline damages and to technology characteristics. Finally, actions are suggested to know better, improve and define the applicability of this technology / A moderna tecnologia de materiais e de integridade estrutural de dutos pressup?e o uso de ferramentas de inspe??o denominadas pigs de inspe??o para detectar, localizar e medir comprimento, largura e profundidade das perdas de espessura de parede de dutos em servi?o enterrados ou submersos. Essas ferramentas os percorrem internamente, realizando e registrando medi??es, com desempenho que varia de acordo com a tecnologia do pig. Recentemente foi desenvolvida uma tecnologia de pig de inspe??o, chamada de pig de perfilagem. O objetivo desta pesquisa ? indicar fatores que influenciam o desempenho da tecnologia de pig de perfilagem na detec??o e na exatid?o de medi??o de comprimento, largura e profundidade de perdas de espessura na superf?cie interna da parede de um oleoduto, em condi??es normais de inspe??o de oleodutos com pig. Neste trabalho, faz-se um levantamento de tais fatores e uma an?lise desta tecnologia, baseados na literatura dispon?vel, bem como um experimento para observar a tecnologia e fatores operando. No experimento, utiliza-se um pig de perfilagem em um duto constru?do em a?o carbono e em opera??o escoando petr?leo, no qual se constata ?reas com perdas de espessura internas ocorridas naturalmente. Algumas destas ?reas e suas dimens?es, medidas por varredura de ultra-som automatizado, s?o comparadas com as indicadas pelo pig de perfilagem. Com base no levantamento, na an?lise e no experimento, discute-se a influ?ncia de fatores objetos desta pesquisa. Conclui-se que, entre estes, ocorrem fatores relacionados ? toler?ncia de fabrica??o dos tubos, ao desgaste de componentes do pig, ao desgaste adesivo interno ao duto, a outros danos no duto e a caracter?sticas da tecnologia. Por fim, s?o sugeridas a??es para conhecer melhor, aprimorar e delimitar a aplicabilidade desta tecnologia

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:58:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ChristianoJMC_DISSERT.pdf: 5726380 bytes, checksum: 57b5c167cfa539dfe52a09cb70e8a00e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-01-14 / Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte / To enhance the maintenance practices, Oil and Gas Pipelines are inspected from the inside by automated systems called PIG (Pipeline Inspection Gauge). The inspection and mapping of defects, as dents and holes, in the internal wall of these pipelines are increasingly put into service toward an overall Structural Integrity Policy. The residual life of these structures must be determined such that minimize its probability of failure. For this reason, the investigation on the detection limits of some basic topological features constituted by peaks or valleys disposed along a smooth surface is of great value for determining the sensitivity of the measurements of defects from some combinations of circumferential, axial and radial extent. In this investigation, it was analyzed an inductive profilometric sensor to scan three races, radius r1, r2, r3, in a circular surface of low carbon steel, equipped with eight consecutive defects simulated by bulges and holes by orbit, equally spaced at p/4 rad. A test rig and a methodology for testing in laboratory were developed to evaluate the sensor response and identify their dead zones and jumps due to fluctuations as a function of topological features and scanning velocity, four speeds different. The results are presented, analyzed and suggestions are made toward a new conception of sensor topologies, more sensible to detect these type of damage morphologies / Para melhorar as pr?ticas de manuten??o, oleodutos e gasodutos s?o inspecionados internamente por sistemas automatizados denominados PIG (Pipeline Inspection Gauge). Uma inspe??o e mapeamento de danos, como ressaltos e rebaixos, na parede interna desses dutos s?o cada vez mais inseridos em pr?tica para uma pol?tica de Integridade Estrutural. A vida residual dessas estruturas deve ser determinada a fim de minimizar as probabilidades de falha. Por esta raz?o, a investiga??o no limite de detec??o de algumas caracter?sticas topol?gicas b?sicas constitu?das por picos e vales dispostas ao longo de uma superf?cie lisa ? de grande valia para a determina??o da sensibilidade nas medi??es de defeitos de alguns n?veis de combina??es circunferencial, axial e radial. Nesta pesquisa, foi analisado um sensor perfilom?trico indutivo para inspecionar tr?s ?rbitas, de raios r1, r2 e r3 numa superf?cie circular de a?o baixo carbono, equipado com oito danos consecutivos simulados por rebaixos e ressaltos, por ?rbita, uniformemente espa?adas de p/4 rad. Uma bancada de ensaio e uma metodologia para teste em laborat?rio foram desenvolvidos para avaliar a resposta do sensor e identificar suas zonas cegas devido ? flutua??o dos saltos como uma fun??o das caracter?sticas topol?gicas e inspe??o de velocidades quatro velocidades distintas. Os resultados s?o apresentados, analisados e sugest?es s?o feitas na dire??o de uma nova concep??o de topologias de sensores, mais sens?veis para detectar esses tipos de morfologias de danos

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T14:02:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fabio.pdf: 4867233 bytes, checksum: 50fd99e07e3a0dec4c10f9701864abed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-03 / Usability Inspections are methods used to verify the software s quality in relation to its interaction with users. The applications acceptability is directly related to their usability. Thus, the goal of this work is to develop ways to assist the inspection execution, providing better costeffectiveness. In this thesis, we present an assistant to support the inspection process with a focus on usability of traditional software applications and Web applications. This wizard, called APIU, aims at reducing the time spent during the inspection execution and to achieve better management of the inspection process. The wizard s requirements were defined based on practical experience in inspections and usability testing as well as studies found in current literature. This thesis presents how the proposed APIU assistant was defined and developed, the context in which it can be used, as well as studies for the improvement of the wizard. / As inspeções de usabilidade são métodos utilizados com o objetivo de verificar a qualidade de um software em relação à interação com os usuários. A aceitabilidade das aplicações está diretamente ligada à usabilidade das mesmas. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver meios que auxiliem a execução de uma inspeção, dotando essa atividade de melhor custo-benefício. Esta dissertação propõe um assistente de apoio ao processo de inspeção de usabilidade, o APIU, voltado para aplicações de software tradicionais e aplicações Web. Este assistente de apoio objetiva reduzir o esforço gasto durante a execução de uma inspeção e apoiar um melhor gerenciamento da mesma. Este assistente teve seus requisitos definidos a partir de experiências práticas em inspeções e testes de usabilidade, além do estudo de trabalhos disponíveis na literatura. Esta dissertação apresenta como o APIU foi definido e desenvolvido, o contexto em que ele pode ser empregado e os estudos realizados para o aprimoramento do assistente.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2017-04-06T18:00:39Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Danilo Sulino Silveira Pinto - 2017.pdf: 5661209 bytes, checksum: a3765119d82a3ef7a763dfcd402dd0ca (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-04-07T11:11:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Danilo Sulino Silveira Pinto - 2017.pdf: 5661209 bytes, checksum: a3765119d82a3ef7a763dfcd402dd0ca (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-07T11:11:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Danilo Sulino Silveira Pinto - 2017.pdf: 5661209 bytes, checksum: a3765119d82a3ef7a763dfcd402dd0ca (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-13 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / During one of the most critical water crises in Brazil, in 2015, a Folha de São Paulo Journal report showed that 37 % of all water treated in Brazil does not reach the final consumer, being the failures in pipes the main cause. This master’s work addresses this problem of waste and failure in piping, for both water and sewage. In this way the characteristics of these types of pipes as well as the most common types of faults are presented. Existing inspection piping methods are also presented. And in an attempt to help reduce this pipeline waste, a pipe failure detection method was developed to achieve a low cost solution so that it can be widely used. The developed solution involved the development of a position control method using a reinforcement learning method, Q-Learning, which allows the robot to run through the pipe without tumbling, using only a gyroscope. It was also developed, using infrared distance sensors and an accelerometer, a method of detecting failures in which it was possible to detect faults with only 2 mm of thickness, in all the times in which the robot passed through it. The developed method is able to overcome the instability and imprecision of the infrared sensor, allowing, during the tests, the detection of all the faults in which the robot crossed, having only 1 false failure accusation in 25 m of course at a speed 60 % greater than the maximum speed of a video inspection. The results were satisfactory, but more work on increasing the inspected surface area and redundancy of fault detection is still required. / Durante uma das mais graves crises hídricas no Brasil, em 2015, uma reportagem da Folha de São Paulo mostrou que 37% de toda a água tratada no Brasil não chega até o consumidor final, sendo as falhas nas tubulações a principal causa. Este trabalho de mestrado aborda esse problema de desperdício e falhas em tubulações, tanto de água como de esgoto. Dessa forma são apresentadas as características desses tipos de tubulações bem como os tipos mais comuns de falhas. Os métodos de inspeção de tubulações existentes também estão apresentados. E na tentativa de auxiliar na redução do desperdício em tubulações foi desenvolvido um método de detecção de falhas de tubulações, objetivando alcançar uma solução de baixo custo para que ela possa ser amplamente utilizada. A solução criada envolveu o desenvolvimento de um método de controle de posição utilizando um método de aprendizagem por reforço, o Q-Learning, que permite o robô percorrer a tubulação sem tombar, apenas utilizando um giroscópio. Foi desenvolvido, utilizando sensores de distância infravermelho e um acelerômetro, um método de detecção de falhas em que se conseguiu detectar falhas com apenas 2 mm de espessura, em todas as vezes em que o robô passou por ela. O método desenvolvido é capaz de superar a instabilidade e imprecisão do sensor infravermelho, permitindo, durante os testes, a detecção de todas as falhas em que o robô atravessou, tendo apenas 1 acusação de falsa falha a cada 25 m de percurso a uma velocidade mais de 60% maior que a velocidade máxima de uma vídeo inspeção. Os resultados foram satisfatórios, porém mais trabalho no aumento da área da superfície inspecionada e na redundância da detecção de falhas ainda se faz necessário.

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un projet industriel multi-partenaires ayant pour objectif le développement d’un robot mobile collaboratif (un cobot), autonome dans ses mouvements au sol, capable de réaliser l’inspection visuelle d’un aéronef, à la fois en phase de petite ou grande maintenance dans un hangar ou en phase de pré-vol sur le tarmac d’un aéroport. Le cobot est équipé de capteurs lui permettant d’effectuer ses tâches de navigation autonome, mais également d’un ensemble de capteurs optiques constituant la tête d’inspection : une caméra orientable Pan-Tilt-Zoom et un scanner 3D qui délivrent respectivement des données sous forme d’images 2D et de nuages de points 3D. L’objectif de la thèse est de développer des algorithmes d’analyse d’images 2D et de nuages de points 3D, afin d’établir un diagnostic sur l’état de l’avion et son aptitude à voler. Nous avons développé des algorithmes pour vérifier certains éléments de l’appareil, tels que valves, portes, capteurs, pneus ou moteurs, et également pour détecter et caractériser des dommages 3D sur le fuselage (impacts, rayures, etc.). Nous avons exploité dans nos algorithmes les connaissances a priori disponibles, en particulier le modèle 3D CAO de l’avion (un AIRBUS A320 dans le cadre de nos essais). Durant ces travaux de la thèse, nous avons pu répondre à deux besoins (parfois antagonistes) : développer des algorithmes d’inspection rapides et robustes, mais également répondre aux exigences spécifiques d’un projet industriel qui visait à développer un prototype opérationnel. Nous nous sommes attachés à développer des algorithmes les plus génériques possibles, de manière à ce qu’ils puissent être utilisés pour d’autres types d’inspection, tels que l’inspection de bâtiments ou de navires par exemple. Nous avons aussi contribué au développement du prototype (robot mobile équipé de capteurs) en développant le module de contrôle des capteurs d’inspection et en intégrant nos codes sur le robot avec les autres modules développés par les partenaires. Le prototype a fait l’objet de nombreux essais en hangar de maintenance ou sur tarmac. / This thesis makes part of an industry oriented multi-partners project aimed at developing a mobile collaborative robot (a cobot), autonomous in its movements on the ground, capable of performing visual inspection of an aircraft during short or long maintenance procedures in the hangar or in the pre-flight phase on the tarmac. The cobot is equipped with sensors for realizing its navigation tasks as well as with a set of optical sensors which constitute the inspection head: an orientable Pan-Tilt-Zoom visible light camera and a three-dimensional scanner, delivering data in the format of two-dimensional images and three-dimensional point clouds, respectively. The goal of the thesis is to propose original approaches for processing 2D images and 3D clouds, with intention to make a decision with respect to the flight readiness of the airplane. We developed algorithms for verification of the aircraft items such as vents, doors, sensors, tires or engine as well as for detection and characterization of three-dimensional damages on the fuselage. We integrated a-priori knowledge on the airplane structure, notably numerical three-dimensional CAD model of the Airbus-A320. We argue that with investing effort to develop robust enough algorithms and with the help of existing optical sensors to acquire suitable data, we can come up with non-invasive, accurate, and time-efficient system for automatic airplane exterior inspection. The thesis work was placed in between two main requirements: develop inspection algorithms which could be as general as possible and also meet the specific requirements of an industry oriented project. Often, these two goals do not go along and the balance had to be made. On one side, we were aiming to design and assess the approaches that can be employed on other large structures, for ex. buildings, ships. On the other hand, writing source code for controlling sensors as well as integrating our whole developed source code with other modules on the real-time robotic system, were necessary in order to demonstrate the feasibility of our robotic prototype.

Le but de cette thèse est de contribuer à la perception sous-marine pour des applications de robotique grâce à un champ électrique. Nous proposons de nouvelles méthodes pour l’inspection, la localisation et l’estimation de forme d’un objet ellipsoïdal en utilisant un capteur inspiré des poissons faiblement électriques. Premièrement, nous montrons que l’objet peut être détecté et que son matériau et sa position par rapport à l’axe du capteur peuvent être discriminés en utilisant de simples détections de seuils sur les courants mesurés. Ensuite, nous proposons l’implémentation successive de trois lois de contrôle réactives permettant au capteur de se diriger vers l’objet et d’effectuer une révolution autour de celui-ci en suivant ses frontières. Puis, nous utilisons l’algorithme MUSIC afin de localiser le centre de l’objet. Enfin, les paramètres géométriques de l’objet et son orientation sont estimés grâce à une méthode d’optimisation basée sur les moindres carrés et sur l’inversion du modèle analytique du tenseur de polarisation d’un objet ellipsoïdal. Nous montrons que ces algorithmes fonctionnent en conditions expérimentales. Pour les algorithmes de localisation et d’estimation de forme, des techniques impliquant des déplacements du capteur sont proposées, afin de réduire significativement les imprécisions dues aux écarts entre le modèle et les mesures de courant. / The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the underwater perception for robotics applications using an electric field. We propose new methods for the inspection, the localization and the shape estimation of an ellipsoidal object using a sensor inspired by the weakly electric fish. Firstly, we show that the object can be detected and its material and position relative to the sensor axis discriminated, using simple threshold detections on the measured currents. Then, we propose the successive implementations of three reactive control laws allowing the sensor to head for the object and revolve around it by following its boundaries. After that, we use the MUSIC algorithm in order to localize the object’s center. Finally, the geometrical parameters of the object and its orientation are estimated thanks to an optimization algorithm based on the least squares method and the inversion of the analytical model of the polarization tensor of an ellipsoidal object. We show that these algorithms can be experimentally implemented. For the localization and the shape estimation algorithms, some additional techniques involving sensor movements are proposed in order to significantly reduce the imprecisions due to the gap between the model and the actual currents’ measurements.

Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit s’inscrivent dans le contexte de l’inspection automatisée d’assemblages mécaniques aéronautiques par vision artificielle. Il s’agit de décider si l’assemblage mécanique a été correctement réalisé (assemblage conforme). Les travaux ont été menés dans le cadre de deux projets industriels. Le projet CAAMVis d’une part, dans lequel le capteur d’inspection est constitué d’une double tête stéréoscopique portée par un robot, le projet Lynx© d’autre part, dans lequel le capteur d’inspection est une caméra Pan/Tilt/Zoom (vision monoculaire). Ces deux projets ont pour point commun la volonté d’exploiter au mieux le modèle CAO de l’assemblage (qui fournit l’état de référence souhaité) dans la tâche d’inspection qui est basée sur l’analyse de l’image ou des images 2D fournies par le capteur. La méthode développée consiste à comparer une image 2D acquise par le capteur (désignée par « image réelle ») avec une image 2D synthétique, générée à partir du modèle CAO. Les images réelles et synthétiques sont segmentées puis décomposées en un ensemble de primitives 2D. Ces primitives sont ensuite appariées, en exploitant des concepts de la théorie de graphes, notamment l’utilisation d’un graphe biparti pour s’assurer du respect de la contrainte d’unicité dans le processus d’appariement. Le résultat de l’appariement permet de statuer sur la conformité ou la non-conformité de l’assemblage. L’approche proposée a été validée à la fois sur des données de simulation et sur des données réelles acquises dans le cadre des projets sus-cités. / The work presented in this manuscript deals with automated inspection of aeronautical mechanical parts using computer vision. The goal is to decide whether a mechanical assembly has been assembled correctly i.e. if it is compliant with the specifications. This work was conducted within two industrial projects. On one hand the CAAMVis project, in which the inspection sensor consists of a dual stereoscopic head (stereovision) carried by a robot, on the other hand the Lynx© project, in which the inspection sensor is a single Pan/Tilt/Zoom camera (monocular vision). These two projects share the common objective of exploiting as much as possible the CAD model of the assembly (which provides the desired reference state) in the inspection task which is based on the analysis of the 2D images provided by the sensor. The proposed method consists in comparing a 2D image acquired by the sensor (referred to as "real image") with a synthetic 2D image generated from the CAD model. The real and synthetic images are segmented and then decomposed into a set of 2D primitives. These primitives are then matched by exploiting concepts from the graph theory, namely the use of a bipartite graph to guarantee the respect of the uniqueness constraint required in such a matching process. The matching result allows to decide whether the assembly has been assembled correctly or not. The proposed approach was validated on both simulation data and real data acquired within the above-mentioned projects.

Stora investeringar kommer ske inom den svenska infrastrukturen de närmaste åren vilket skapar möjligheter för entreprenadföretag att expandera. För att generera god lönsamhet för företaget är effektiva processer önskvärt. Det kan uppnås genom att tillgängliga resurser nyttjas på bästa sätt samtidigt som slöseriet i processen är minimalt. Studien fokuserar på egenkontroller av anläggningsbranschen och vägprojekt eftersom det idag är ett relativt outforskat område. Syftet med examensarbetet är att undersöka kvalitetsäkringsprocessen för vägentreprenader med fokus på entreprenörens egenkontroll. Detta för att ge insikt om processen för att identifiera utmaningar och slöseri. I studien utreds fallföretagets egenkontrollsprocess för vägprojekt. Studien är explorativ för att samla kunskap inom ett specifikt område. Forskningsansatsen är av induktiv karaktär eftersom studien utgår från observationer i verkligheten och försöker utforma en teori om hur slöseriet i egenkontrollsprocessen kan hanteras och minimeras. Litteraturstudie tillämpas för att ge ökad förståelse för området samt ge teoretisk grund för analysen. Datainsamlingsmetoderna som nyttjats för studien är intervjuer och sekundärdata från fallföretagets intranät. Studien klarlägger att entreprenörens skyldigheter av egenkontroll beror på vilka krav beställaren ställer på kvalitetssäkring. En vanligt förekommande utmaning för entreprenören är att kraven är fördelade i ett stort antal dokument, vilket gör det svårt att lokalisera och samla alla krav. Kraven innefattar exempelvis kontrollernas intervall, kontrollmetod och dokumentation. Studien visar att slöseri i form av väntan, överarbetning eller bristande bearbetning, onödiga arbetsmoment, defekter samt outnyttjad potential hos anställda förekommer i planerings- och produktionsskedet av egenkontrollsprocessen för vägentreprenader. Orsakerna till slöseriet bedöms vara av både extern och intern karaktär. God planering är en viktig nyckel för att arbeta smartare och förenkla processen vilket leder till frigörelse av resurser som kan nyttjas till andra arbetsuppgifter. En viktig påföljd av god planering är att kvalitetssäkringen är strukturerad och tydligt planerad innan produktionen startar på projektet, vilket bör bidra till att alla på arbetsplatsen vet hur det arbetet ska ske. Åtgärdsförslaget till fallföretaget är uppdelat i fyra kategorier: öka flexibiliteten, öka transparensen för processen, förenkla och strukturera samt slutligen ökad erfarenhetsåterföring. Rekommendationen för fallföretaget är att prioritera planeringsfasen av egenkontrollerna för att skapa mallar och kontroller som gör nytta. Rekommendationen för branschen mer generellt är att myndigheter och institutioner aktivt ska arbeta för att minimera slöseriet i sina egna processer för att se till att de inte genererar slöseri som förekommer i alla projekt oavsett entreprenör. Vidare är rekommendationen att utreda hur egenkontroll kan tillämpas på ett effektivare sätt med hög tillförlitlighet, eller om det finns något alternativ till egenkontroll som är fördelaktigare. / Major investments will be made in the Swedish infrastructure in the next few years, which creates opportunities for construction companies to expand. To generate good profitability for the company, efficient processes are desirable. It can be achieved by making the best use of available resources while minimizing waste in the process. This study focuses on self-inspections of the construction industry and road projects since it today is a relatively unexplored area.    The purpose of the degree project is to investigate the quality assurance process for road projects with a focus on the contractor's self-inspection. This is to provide insight into the process to identifying challenges and waste. The study investigates the case company's self-inspection process for road projects. The study is exploratory to gather knowledge in a specific area. The research approach is of an inductive nature because the study is based on observations, trying to formulate a theory of how waste in the self-control process can be handled and minimized. The literature study provides an increased understanding of the area and a theoretical basis for the analysis. The data collection methods used for the study are interviews and secondary data from the case company's intranet. The study clarifies that the contractor's obligations of self-inspection depend on the customer's requirements of quality assurance. A common challenge for the contractor is that the requirements are distributed in a large number of documents, which makes it difficult to locate and collect all requirements. The requirements include, for example, the intervals of the inspections, inspection method and documentation. The study shows that waste in the form of waiting, extra-processing or lack of processing, unnecessary work steps, defects and unused potential in employees occurs in the planning and production phase of the self-inspection process for road projects. The causes of the waste are assessed to be of both external and internal nature. Good planning is an important key to working smarter and simplifying the process, which leads to the release of resources that can be used for other activities. An important consequence of good planning is that the quality assurance is structured and clearly planned before production starts, which should give everyone on the workplace information on how the work should be performed. The proposed actions for the case company are divided into four categories: increase flexibility, increase transparency of the process, simplify and structure and finally, increase possibilities for a lessons learned process. The recommendation for the case company is to prioritize the planning phase of the self-inspections to create templates and inspections that are useful. The recommendation for the industry more generally, is that authorities and institutions should actively work to minimize waste in their own processes to ensure that they do not generate waste that occurs in all projects regardless of contractor. Furthermore, the recommendation is to investigate how self-inspection can be applied in a more efficient way with higher reliability, or if there is an alternative to self-inspection that is more advantageous.

This thesis deals with the application of smart cameras and verification of its functions. In the first part the term smart camera is defined, the parts of it and the most common applications are presented. A review of smart cameras from the different manufactures on the market is made. After selection of the proper camera model three task from real industrial application are specified – inspection of capacitor print, inspection of beer label and dimension measurement. With the picked camera the tasks are performed, including the layout of workplace, scene and lighting. Further the reliability is tested together with the successfulness and the speed of designed solution.

The current production field operates on linear resource flows, characterized by known supply and consistent manufacturing materials. In contrast, a remanufacturing system experiences variable process flows for each produced unit, even though the end product remains the same. The uncertainty surrounding the quality of cores can impact tactical decisions. This variability is influenced by factors such as the quality and condition of the core upon arrival at the facility, leading to uncertainties in cost and production times. The purpose of this research is to develop a cost estimation method for product recovery decision-making processes and enhance the flow efficiency of remanufacturing processes. To achieve this goal, the study identifies and investigates the factors that affect the condition of the core, represented by processing time. Subsequently, the analysis focuses on processing time and spare parts cost, and introduces a cost estimation method based on historical data. Finally, the current process flow is examined, and suggestions for improvements are provided. This research employs two distinct approaches: statistical and quantitative analysis, as well as qualitative inquiry that considers the experiences and perceptions of employees and other non-numerical aspects. Therefore, an action research methodology has been used, combining scientific knowledge with existing expertise within an organization to address real organizational problems. The study develops a new inspection process that combines a prediction model for processing times with a thorough inspection of important parts identified through spare part analysis. Additionally, suggestions are made to improve the flow of the remanufacturing process by prioritizing critical inventory items and introducing a new inspection and cleaning station where necessary spare parts are ordered before the remanufacturing process begins. / REMARKABLE