Abstract: Method and apparatus for capturing an image of a lateral face of a wooden board, where the lateral face (2) is parallel to a main axis of development of the wooden board (3), with the method comprising a step for feeding the wooden board (3) with the lateral face (2) transverse to a feeding direction (4), a step for illuminating the lateral face (2), a step for capturing, using a plurality of area scan cameras (9), a plurality of first digital images at different times, where each first digital image comprises a portion (10) of the lateral face (2) extending for an entire height of the lateral face (2) transverse to the main axis of development and for part of a length of the lateral face (2) along the main axis of development, where the set of all such portions (10) corresponds to the entire lateral face (2), and a merging step for merging the first digital images using an electronic processing unit to obtain a second digital image showing the entire lateral face (2).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for training a software infrastructure based on machine-learning techniques to analyse data obtained from a instrumental examination of objects of a predetermined type, where each of the objects has been obtained by splitting a product into smaller pieces, wherein the software infrastructure receives, for each object in a training set, training input data comprising the data obtained from the instrumental examination and training output data comprising information on the characteristics of interest of the training object, wherein the information on the characteristics of interest is, at least in part, information that has been obtained from the results of a tomographic examination of the product from which the training object was obtained, and wherein the software infrastructure processes, through its own training unit, the training input data and the training output data for each training object in order to set internal processing parameters for the software infrastructure which

Abstract: Computer implemented method for training a software infrastructure based on machine learning techniques and intended for analysis of data obtained from a three-dimensional tomographic inspection of objects of a predetermined type, such as logs, with the aim of determining information about internal characteristics of interest of the self-same objects, wherein, once a training set comprising a plurality of objects of the same predetermined type has been selected, for each object the software infrastructure is supplied with training input data and corresponding training output data, which are processed by the software infrastructure for setting internal processing parameters of the software infrastructure which correlate the training input data with the training output data; where the training input data comprise data obtained from a three-dimensional tomographic inspection of the object, and the training output data comprise information about internal characteristics of interest assessed at internal points of

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing computed tomography scans of elongate objects, wherein the object is irradiated with X-rays emitted by a plurality of X-ray emitters which are offset relative to a forward movement direction transversal to the main axis of the object, wherein a rotation device rotates each object about its own main axis of extension while the object is irradiated by one or more beams of X-rays, wherein electronic identifying means estimate the instantaneous position and orientation of the axial portions of the object which are irradiated during the rotation, and wherein an electronic processing and control unit is programmed for combining sets of radiographic data acquired for each axial portion of the object at different detecting moments during the rotation, for processing a three-dimensional tomography reconstruction of the object while taking into account corresponding information about the position and the orientation of each axial portion at each moment.

Abstract: A method and a related apparatus for performing a tomographic examination of an object (2) which advances through an examination area (6), wherein the examination area (6) is irradiated with x-rays transversally to a motion trajectory of the object (2) and the residual intensity of the x-rays which have crossed the object (2) is repeatedly detected to obtain, for each detection, an electronic two-dimensional pixel map, the two-dimensional maps thus obtained being processed by a computer to obtain a three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of the object (2); wherein, during the advancement, the object (2) is made or let rotate, at least partly uncontrolled, in such a way that the object (2) rotates around one or more rotation axes which are transversal both to the motion trajectory and to the propagation directions of the x-rays crossing it; and wherein a computer also determines the spatial position in which the object (2) is located relative to the one or more emitters (4) and/or the one or more detector

Abstract: A tunnel computerised tomographic scanner comprising a rotor (3), an X-ray emitter (7) mounted on the rotor (3), an X-ray detector (8) mounted on the rotor (3), on the opposite side of a detecting zone (4), the X-ray detector (8) comprising a scintillator (9) which has at least one emission face (10) from which the scintillator (9) emits light in the visible spectrum when it is struck by X-rays, and a plurality of video cameras (12) which are positioned in such a way that each of them frames at least one portion of the scintillator (9), for acquiring one after another second images, in the visible spectrum, of the respective portion of the scintillator (9), wherein, according to the method, at least two separate video cameras (12) substantially frame each zone of the emission face (10), and an electronic processing unit is programmed to combine all of the second images obtained by the video cameras (12) and to obtain a first image of the emission face (10), to be used for the tomographic reconstruction of an

Abstract: A method for establishing a posteriori a match between a piece of wood and a log from which the piece of wood has been obtained, comprising the following operating steps of performing a tomographic scan of the wooden log, of calculating or selecting a log cutting pattern, of defining, starting with the tomographic information available, one or more virtual individualising characteristics which are linked to the distribution and/or size of physical characteristics of the log inside and/or on the surface of the self-same virtual piece of wood, of saving them in a database, together with information about the identity of the log, of dividing the log into real pieces of wood according to the cutting pattern, of acquiring real information about the distribution and/or size of physical characteristics of the log inside and/or on the surface of a real piece of wood and of defining corresponding real individualising characteristics to be compared with virtual individualising characteristics saved and of identifying a

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for non-destructive inspection of a fruit (1) having an axis of rotational symmetry (10). The method comprises the step of positioning the fruit (1) in such a way that its axis of rotational symmetry (10) has an orientation that is substantially parallel to a predetermined plane (20) and the step of radiographing the fruit (1), where the direction of emission of X-rays is substantially perpendicular to said predetermined plane (20) and an X-ray image obtained (41) lies on said predetermined plane (20). The X-ray image obtained (41) is processed to calculate, at corresponding points of the X-ray image (41), respective values of attenuation of the X-ray signal through the fruit (1). The X-ray image (41) is divided into a plurality of sections (415) which are perpendicular to the projection (410) of the axis of rotational symmetry (10) on the predetermined plane (20).

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus (1) for carrying out a non-destructive inspection on a wooden board (9) or a similar object. The apparatus (1) comprises a movement system (3) comprising at least two chains or belts (32) that are at a distance from one another and substantially parallel to each other. The chains or belts (32) are slidable parallel to a movement path (30) and are and intended to support the wooden board (9). The apparatus (1) also comprises a non-destructive inspection station (2) that is positioned on the movement path (30), for carrying out a non-destructive inspection on the wooden board (9) that is supported by the chains or belts (32). The non-destructive inspection station (2) comprises at least one operating component (22) that is positioned on the same side as the chains or belts (32) and emits or receives a signal or an image, with an emission or reception field (220) that faces towards a region between two chains or belts (32).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for non-destructive inspection of a log (1) to identify inner zones of sapwood (14) of the log (1) that have not been attacked by fungi that cause bluestain in the wood. The method comprises a first step of carrying out a tomographic scan of the log (1) to be inspected using X-ray beams that pass through the log (1) and a second step of obtaining a three-dimensional representation of the log (1) that is representative of the local moisture content of the log, the local moisture content being correlated with attenuation of the X-ray beams through the log. The method comprises the step of processing the three-dimensional representation of the log (1) to identify inner regions (145) of the log (1), in which the local moisture content is greater than or equal to a moisture threshold value for a spatial extent greater than an extent threshold.

Abstract: A method for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log comprises the operating steps of: making the log (2) rotate axially, leaving it free to translate during the rotation; during said rotation repeating the step of detecting the relative surface structure of the log (2) at least at one log surface portion (13), so that the relative surface structure of substantially all of the points of at least the log (2) lateral surface is detected at least once; and combining the relative surface structures detected to reconstruct an overall surface structure for at least the log (2) lateral surface, the detection steps being carried out in such a way that each detection step result shares at least several points with at least one other detection step result, while the step of combining the relative surface structures is carried out in such a way that the shared points are made to coincide with each other.

Abstract: A method for identifying the orientation of wood fibres (2) comprises the operating steps of generating at least one beam of light (4) polarised in a predetermined first polarisation plane, projecting the beam of light (4) onto a surface of a piece of wood (3) to illuminate a zone of said surface and generate diffuse light without polarisation and reflected light (5) polarised in a second polarisation plane (pX2), detecting the linearly polarised reflected light (5) and identifying the orientation of the illuminated fibres (2) at least indirectly based on the orientation in space of the second polarisation plane (pX2) of the reflected light (5).

Abstract: A method for identifying a piece of wood amongst a plurality or for determining its rotation includes the operating steps of: acquiring at least one piece of real X-ray information about the piece of wood; calculating, based on a tomographic reconstruction, a piece of virtual X-ray information in the same way as in the acquisition of the real X-ray information; comparing the real and virtual X-ray information to verify whether they match; and repeating the calculation and comparison steps up to obtaining the matching, and/or, for identification method only, selecting a different tomographic reconstruction and reiterating the calculation and comparison steps and, if necessary, the repetition and/or selection steps.

Abstract: A process for checking the quality of logs, each log having a front surface (2), a rear surface (6) and a lateral surface (3). In the process, the quality check being carried out by means of a visual examination of the outer appearance of the logs (1). The process also comprising the operating steps of obtaining a first flat photographic representation (7) which represents the flat extension of the lateral surface (3) of the log (1), and if necessary a second flat photographic representation (4) which represents the front surface (2) of the log (1), and a third flat photographic representation (5), representing a rear surface (6) of the log (1). Finally, the quality of the log (1) is evaluated by means of an examination of the photographic representations (4), (5), (7).

Abstract: A device for proof loading wooden boards including a deformer (9) for deforming the boards (2) which is designed to cause the boards (2) to elongate along their main direction of extension, said deformer including first and second feeders (3), (4) positioned at a first and a second segment (5), (6) of a feed path along which the boards (2) are fed parallel with their main direction of extension, and being able to apply a longitudinal tractive force on the boards (2) using the first and the second feeders (3), (4). A method for proof loading wooden boards is also disclosed, which can be implemented without interrupting board feed along its feed path.

Abstract: A method for determining the nodosity of a wooden plank comprises the operating steps of observing the lateral surface (4) of the wooden plank (1) to identify its zones (7) corresponding to knots (6), assessing the overall extent of the knots (6) inside the plank (1) and the relative volume, and determining the nodosity as a ratio of the volume occupied by the knots (6) to the overall volume of the plank (1) or the remaining volume of the plank (1).

Abstract: A method for calibrating apparatuses for determining the moisture content of products based on capacitive measurements comprises the following operating steps: Inserting a device (1) for simulating the dielectric properties of products in a measuring area of an apparatus (2) to be calibrated; taking a capacitive measurement with the apparatus (2) while the device (1) is inserted in the measuring area; modifying the device (1) settings at least once and taking the capacitive measurement again, for each different setting value; comparing each capacitive measurement taken this way with a corresponding known reference capacitive measurement; calibrating the apparatus (2) based on this comparison.

Abstract: An X-ray tube comprises a containment element (2) in which a cathode (4) and an anode (5) are mounted. The anode (5) comprises a first main face (6) which is substantially facing towards the cathode (4) and a second main face (7) which is facing the opposite way to the first face (6). There are also cooling means (8) applied to the second main face (7) of the anode (5) and filter means (10) for filtering, based on respective wavelengths, the X-rays emitted by the anode (5). The cooling means (8) and the filter means (10) both consist of a heat conductor element (9) which is thermally coupled with the second face (7) of the anode (5) and which is equipped with a plurality of inner micro-channels in which, in practice, a pressurised coolant liquid can flow with a turbulent motion.

Abstract: A method for determining the moisture content of wood (1), including the operating steps of inserting the wood (1) between a first plate and a second plate (3) of a capacitor (4); applying a first signal to the first plate (2) of the capacitor (4) using the plate as a transmitting antenna; detecting on the second plate (3) a second signal induced by the first signal, using the second plate (3) as a receiving antenna; determining from the second induced signal detected, a third reference signal, obtaining a differential signal; determining the components of the differential in phase and in quadrature signals from the first signal; filtering the components of the differential in phase and in quadrature signals to obtain a filtered in phase component and a filtered in quadrature component, which are independent of the frequency of the first signal; and calculating the moisture content of wood (1) based on the value of the filtered in phase and in quadrature components of the differential signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying the position of defects (100) in bodies (2), comprises feed means (3) for moving the body (3) along a feed direction (A), an emitter (5) designed to direct towards the body (2) a plurality of beams (6?, 6?, 6??) of electromagnetic radiation lying in lying planes (P1, P2, P3) set at different angles to each other, and transversal to the feed direction (A), and a plurality of sensors (8?, 8?, 8??) each facing the emitter (5) for receiving a respective beam (6?, 6?, 6??) after the beam (6?, 6?, 6??) has passed through the body (2). The lying planes (P1, P2, P3) are positioned one after another along the feed direction (A), allowing each portion of the body (2) to be struck by successive beams (6?, 6?, 6??) as the body (2) is fed forward. A corresponding method is also claimed.