Control and optimization of sheeting (rolling) manufacturing through on-line ultrasonic monitoring and evaluation

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The goal of this NSERC Strategic project is to develop an intelligent acoustic non-contact sensor system for closed-loop control of sheeting (rolling) manufacturing processes, and to understand the factors influencing system efficacy. The research team is partnered with VN Instruments, a Canadian manufacturer of non-contact air-coupled ultrasonic transducer and analysis systems. The system has many potential manufacturing applications, but because the research team has considerable experience in understanding the properties of soft solids based on acoustic techniques, the system will initially be applied to measure the properties of noodle dough sheets. Over half of Canada's wheat exports are used to manufacture Asian noodles, so new knowledge from the project will enhance economic activity in a sector that is a major source of foreign revenue. It will also create advanced manufacturing opportunities for VN Instruments offshore and in Canada. The research team's other industrial partner is the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI). CIGI is pivotal to project success not only for their fully functional pilot scale noodle manufacturing line, but because they will acquire the expertise (as a result of working with the research team) to demonstrate how the acoustic sensor system will optimize quality during manufacturing. As such, CIGI will support the sale of systems manufactured by VN Instruments. Project research objectives are to develop a fully functioning prototype sensor system. This system will be used to comprehensively characterize properties during sheeting, so that the optimal placement of the sensor system can be defined. Based on these research outcomes, the prototype system will be fully evaluated on CIGI's pilot plant line to demonstrate system robustness and efficacy (capturing the necessary properties of the noodle sheet under a wide range of manufacturing conditions). The research team and industrial partners will train five highly qualified personnel (HQP) as part of the project. The expertise developed by these HQP will contribute to further success in the development of Canadian integrated production systems, thereby creating unique business opportunities in domestic and international markets.