Development of an installation for determining the uniformity of mixed feed by digital image processing

For the first time in the engineering and technical literature, a distributed photo/video recording system based on USB endoscopes is proposed, designed for scientific research of opaque bulk media. Based on the specifics of shooting in an opaque environment, the requirements for the photo/video recording system and its components are given. Possible systems for distributed surveying are briefly described. Technological innovations in the device of household USB endoscopes are described, which significantly reduce the cost of the designed system. The advantages of the proposed system in comparison with other possible schemes are considered. A detailed diagram of the installation of endoscope cameras inside protective boxes is given, an original method of mechanical protection of endoscope cables inside a tank with a bulk mixture is proposed. Photographs of the photo/video recording system at various stages of its installation in the mixer tank are provided. Recommendations are formulated to minimize the effect of glare from built-in illuminators on the image quality of the environment. The hardware and software tools necessary to connect many endoscopes to a single electronic computer are described. Samples of images obtained using the developed system inside an opaque feed mixture are presented. An example of the practical use of images of the mixture obtained using a system based on USB endoscopes is given.