Video detection of problems in the melting of consumable electrodes in a vacuum arc furnace

Abstract

Methods are proposed for the detection of problems in vacuum arc melting. Video cameras are mounted on the vacuum arc furnace in order to monitor the melting process. Usually, the automatic control system for the melting process only measures the quantities required for direct control. In some cases, those measurements do not permit the detection of specific nonstandard melting conditions. However, on the basis of the video images, the supervisor can identify and eliminate such problems. The video feed is divided into frames. Each frame is a matrix consisting of pixels. On the basis of the sum of pixels in the image, anomalous melting conditions may be determined. Algorithms are proposed for analysis of the video images so as to detect anomalous melting conditions.