KTP improves optical counting machine
Artificial intelligence improves paper counting technology
The background
Colchester based SME, Vacuumatic Ltd, is an expert in the design and manufacture of counting equipment for the paper and print industries. The company’s in-house team designed and developed an optical counting machine but felt this machine had further potential to be exploited. The University of Essex has renowned expertise in robotics and photonics, and was therefore the company’s obvious choice for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership.
The issue
In the paper and printing industry highly accurate sheet counting is essential. Currently there are various methods to count security documents such as banknotes, passports and tax stamps. However, most of the existing methods make physical contact with documents and are not suitable for all material types. Vacuumatic wanted to find a specialised solution for customers who were unable to find a current technology to meet their requirements.
The solution
Professor Huosheng Hu and Professor John Gan from the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering felt confident that their robotics and artificial intelligence expertise could be combined with Vacuumatic’s know-how in electromechanical design and embedded software to come up with a commercially desirable and market ready solution. A very academically able Associate is managing the project as well as making the application of the algorithms he has developed the subject for his PhD.
The benefits
The Associate has finalised the system design and demonstrated the initial improvements in performance to the Company Board. Consequently, an enhanced machine was successfully demonstrated at the 2012 Drupa Print Media Trade Show in Dusseldorf. Vacuumatic has now received their first customer order in an application that would not have been possible before the KTP.
Who to contact
Please contact Knowledge Exchange Manager, Jenny Young for more details.
