System and apparatus for identifying boiler tubes

A system for reading a barcode displayed on a surface of a tube, the system comprising:

• an annular frame;
• a plurality of cameras radially arranged on the annular frame to define a first opening sized to receive the tube therein, the plurality of cameras communicatively coupled to an image processor;
• a controller device communicatively coupled to the plurality of cameras and the image processor, wherein:
• the controller device is configured to trigger an operation of each camera of the plurality of cameras;
• each camera of the plurality of cameras is operative to capture a respective image of a different corresponding portion of the surface, and send the respective image to the processor;
• and
• wherein the image processor is configured to combine the respective images received from each camera into a composite image, and to read a barcode from the composite image;
• and,
• wherein the composite image provides an image of an entire periphery of a portion of an outside surface of the tube.