AI-Driven Quality Control System for Ammolite Clear Coat Finishing

Open Opened on September 22, 2025
Main contact
LUCENTARA / Dinosty Fossils
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Caitlin Furby
CEO
(26)
5
Project
60 hours per learner
Learner
Anywhere
Intermediate level

Project scope

Categories
Artificial intelligence Hardware Machine learning Software development
Skills
mockup research reports led lamps usb optics artificial intelligence forecasting computer vision
Details

Lucentara / Dinosty Fossils specializes in preparing and finishing ammolite gemstones and fossils. A key production step is spraying a 2-component (2K) clear coat to protect and enhance the optical properties of the stone. One of the biggest issues is ensuring full coverage — pinholes and micro-bubbles can form if spray passes are uneven or if substrate conditions vary. These defects reduce yield and increase rework costs.

Develop a prototype quality control system that can detect, predict, or prevent pinholes and bubbles during or immediately after spraying clear coat on ammolite specimens.

Deliverables

By the end of the project, students should provide:


1. Research Report — summary of best practices in coating defect detection (in automotive, aerospace, or jewelry contexts).


2. Proof-of-Concept Prototype (software or hardware mockup):


Computer vision pipeline (using open-source models like YOLO or SAM) to highlight bubbles or voids in test images.


OR process-parameter model predicting bubble risk based on humidity/temperature/spray overlap.



3. Implementation Guide — simple steps for how this system could be deployed in Lucentara’s spray booth with minimal cost (USB camera, LED lighting, Raspberry Pi/Jetson).


4. Presentation / Demo Video — walk-through of how the AI system works with example data.

Mentorship
Domain expertise and knowledge

Providing specialized knowledge in the project subject area, with industry context.

Skills, knowledge and expertise

Sharing knowledge in specific technical skills, techniques, methodologies required for the project.

Hands-on support

Direct involvement in project tasks, offering guidance, and demonstrating techniques.

Tools and/or resources

Providing access to necessary tools, software, and resources required for project completion.

Regular meetings

Scheduled check-ins to discuss progress, address challenges, and provide feedback.

About the company

Company
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
2 - 10 employees
Retail, Sales, Science, Trade & international business
Representation
Family-Owned Indigenous-Owned Neurodivergent-Owned Small Business Women-Owned

Lucentara

Science | Technology | Innovation

Lucentara is a Canadian science and innovation company dedicated to advancing the study and application of ammolite and other natural materials. Founded by Caitlin Furby and Mark Turner, Lucentara operates at the intersection of geology, materials science, and design — exploring how nature’s rarest formations can inspire modern advancements in technology and sustainability.

Through ongoing research partnerships and applied experimentation, Lucentara develops cutting-edge methods for fossil preservation, laser restoration, and structural color analysis. Every discovery contributes to the deeper understanding of ammolite’s optical and geological properties, positioning Lucentara as a pioneer in natural photonics and gemstone science.

Lucentara represents the future of Canadian innovation — where art, science, and nature converge.

Dinosty Fossils

Mining | Restoration | Heritage

Dinosty Fossils is the foundation of Alberta’s ammolite industry — a mining and restoration company co-founded by Mark Turner and Caitlin Furby, specializing in the ethical extraction and preparation of ammonite fossils and gem-grade ammolite from the Bearpaw Formation.

Operating across more than 1,200 hectares of mineable land in Southern Alberta, Dinosty Fossils combines traditional field expertise with modern restoration technology to bring prehistoric treasures back to life. Every specimen is meticulously excavated, stabilized, and restored by hand, honoring both its geological origin and its natural artistry.

Through Dinosty Fossils, Furby and Turner have built one of Canada’s most respected fossil operations — supplying collectors, museums, and jewelers worldwide while preserving the integrity and story of each discovery.