In-line laser profilometry inspection system

A method of inspecting a part, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a first light signal to the part via a first laser so that the first light signal reflects off a first sidewall of the part;
• receiving the reflected first light signal;
• generating first portion data representative of a first portion of a part profile from the reflected first light signal;
• generating first derivative data representative of a first derivative of the first portion from the first portion data;
• generating second derivative data representative of a second derivative of the first portion from the first derivative data;
• determining first sidewall data representative of the first sidewall from the first portion data according to the first derivative data and the second derivative data;
• generating first sidewall angle data representative of a first sidewall angle from the first sidewall data;
• and
• determining a first sidewall quality based on the first sidewall angle data.

A system for inspecting a part, the system comprising:

• a first laser that transmits a first light signal to the part so that the first light signal reflects off a first sidewall of the part;
• a first sensor that receives the reflected first light signal;
• a second laser spaced from the first laser, wherein the second laser transmits a second light signal to the part so that the second light signal reflects off a second sidewall of the part;
• a second sensor spaced from the first sensor, wherein the second sensor receives the reflected second light signal;
• a controller communicatively coupled with the first laser, the first sensor, the second laser, and the second sensor, wherein the controller:
• generates first portion data representative of a first portion of a part profile from the reflected first light signal;
• generates first derivative data representative of a first derivative of the first portion from the first portion data;
• generates second derivate data representative of a second derivative of the first portion from the first derivative data;
• determines first sidewall data representative of the first sidewall from the first portion data according to the first derivative data and the second derivative data;
• generates first sidewall angle data representative of a first sidewall angle from the first sidewall data;
• determines a first sidewall quality based on the first sidewall angle data;
• generates second portion data representative of a second portion of the part profile from the reflected second light signal;
• generates first derivative data representative of a first derivative of the second portion from the second portion data;
• generates second derivative data representative of a second derivative of the second portion from the first derivative data of the second portion;
• determines second sidewall data representative of the second sidewall from the second portion data according to the first derivative data of the second portion and the second derivative data of the second portion;
• generates second sidewall angle data representative of a second sidewall angle from the second sidewall data;
• and
• determines a second sidewall quality based on the second sidewall angle data;
• a camera positioned between the first laser and second laser, wherein the camera creates a top-down image of the part;
• and
• a calibration standard shiftable between a stored position and a calibration position, wherein the controller further determines a calibration of the system via the calibration standard.