Estimation of property of sheep skin to modify the tanning process using interdigital sensors

Abstract

In this paper we are reporting a sensing system to improve the tanning process of sheep skin to produce better quality leather. The dielectric properties of the sheep skin are measured using a sensor system based on an interdigital sensor. Once the skin is converted into leather the process cannot be reversed. Over-treatment of the sheep skin can damage the quality of leather or inadequate tanning may not yield the desired level of quality, so it is important to know the appropriate tanning process required for the skin. Using a non-destructive testing method based on an interdigital sensor, it was attempted to correlate the dielectric property read by the sensor with the looseness value of the skin. At the same time, the testing system must be a low-cost, reliable and fast. The objective of the reported work is to develop a non-destructive low-cost system to identify the looseness of the skin and modify the process to maximize the profit and improve the quality of the finished skin. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.