摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for determining the dispersibility grade of particulate material by means of an image processing technique that employs machine vision. In one aspect, this invention provides a method for grading the dispersibility of particulate material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an image, in digitized form, of a sample comprising reconstituted particulate material; (b) performing a series of image processing steps to determine the presence and magnitude of blobs; (c) performing a blob analysis to obtain data relating to the distribution of the particulate material in the sample; (d) comparing the result of the blob analysis with data in a database; and (e) determining the grade of said particulate material by means of the comparison. The sample of particulate material, which is typically in the form of a powder, is reconstituted preferably by means of agitating a container filled with the sample. The database suitable for use in this invention can be established by recording the results of a large number of tests performed by a powder quality grading authority. The grade levels are ssociated with several ranges that have emerged from the statistical analysis. In another aspect, this invention provides an apparatus suitable for grading the dispersibility of particulate material.</p> |