In recent years, scattered light measurement technology has developed into a common method for measuring roughness, form and waviness on precision machined surfaces. Meanwhile, the application for the material structure evaluation of electrolytically anodized surfaces has also been considered. In this context,we present a novel approach to layer thickness measurement of naturally anodised aluminium surfaces. Our approach is based on the reflection intensity of the light beam, which penetrates the oxide layer and is reflected back from the surface as well as from the layer base. In the approach, a model for estimating reflection intensity I from the absorption coefficient is employed. The methodology is tested by comparing results to a layer thickness evaluation using metallographic preparation. Based on the proposed approach, we are able to measure intervals of layer thicknesses on naturally anodized aluminium surfaces without contact.

The paper brings forward an idea of multi-threaded computation synchronization based on the shared semaphored cache in the multi-core CPUs. It is dedicated to the implementation of multi-core PLC control, embedded solution or parallel computation of models described using hardware description languages. The shared semaphored cache is implemented as guarded memory cells within a dedicated section of the cache memory that is shared by multiple cores. This enables the cores to speed up the data exchange and seamlessly synchronize the computation. The idea has been verified by creating a multi-core system model using Verilog HDL. The simulation of task synchronization methods allows for proving the benefits of shared semaphored memory cells over standard synchronization methods. The proposed idea enhances the computation in the algorithms that consist of relatively short tasks that can be processed in parallel and requires fast synchronization mechanisms to avoid data race conditions.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the combined effect of noise exposure and additional risk factors on permanent hearing threshold shift. Three additional risk factors were: exposure to organic solvents, smoking and elevated blood pressure.

The data on exposure and health status of employees were collected in 24 factories. The study group comprised of 3741 noise male exposed workers of: mean age 39±8 years, mean tenure 16±7 years and LEX,8h = 86 ± 5 dB. For each subject, hearing level was measured with pure tone audiometry, blood pressure and noise exposure were assessed from the records of local occupational health care and obligatory noise measurements performed by employers. Smoking and solvent exposure were assessed with questionnaire. The study group was divided into subgroups with respect to the considered risk factors. In the analysis, the distribution of hearing level of each subgroup was compared to the predicted one which the standard calculation method described in ISO 1999:1990. For each of the considered risk factors, the difference between measured and calculated hearing level distribution was used to establish, by the least square method, a noise dose related correction square function for the standard method. The considered risk factors: solvent exposure, smoking and elevated blood pressure combined with noise exposure, may increase degree of hearing loss.

Most studies on solenoid valves (SVs) assumed that the armature is concentrically positioned in the sleeve. Under this assumption the transversal component of the magnetic force is equal zero. The article presents an analytical calculation model for the estimation of the armature eccentricity. Using this model the eccentricity was calculated as a function of the sleeve thickness and the hydraulic clearance between the armature and the sleeve. After finding the eccentricity also the permeance of the radial air gap was calculated. This permeance has a direct influence on the drop of the magnetomotive force in the magnetic circuit and finally influences also the axial component of the magnetic force. In the article a calculation of both transversal and axial components of the magnetic force was carried out and presented in the appendix to the article.

Testing of image intensifier tubes is still done using mostly manual methods due to a series of both technical and legal problems with test automation. Computerized stations for semi-automated testing of IITs are considered as novelty and are under continuous improvements. This paper presents a novel test station that enables semi-automated measurement of image intensifier tubes. Wide test capabilities and advanced design solutions rise the developed test station significantly above the current level of night vision metrology.