Method for the non-destructive inspection of a mechanical part

An automatic method of non-destructively inspecting a mechanical part by a device including an image sensor, a lighting source, and means for moving the image sensor, the lighting source, and the mechanical part relative to one another, the method comprising:

• making a three-dimensional survey of a surface of the part;
• defining a subdivision of the surface of the part into zones suitable for being photographed by the image sensor;
• defining respective paths for the image sensor and for the lighting source relative to the part;
• acquiring images of the zones of the surface of the part;
• analyzing the images and determining zones in the images that are over-exposed or under-exposed;
• optimizing optical parameters for image acquisition of the zones and defining a second subdivision of the surface of the part, taking account of optimization of the optical parameters for the zones;
• defining a new path for the image sensor and a new path for the lighting source that enable images to be acquired of the surface of the part while using the optimized optical parameters and the second subdivision;
• acquiring images of the zones while following the new paths and recording the images;
• and
• automatically determining any surface defects of the part in the recorded images and comparing them with known defects recorded in a database.