Panel surface flaw inspection

Apparatus for inspecting a surface comprising;

• illuminating means for illuminating an extensive area of a surface by directing light onto the surface area in such a manner that light is reflected therefrom;
• a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements positioned relative to the surface such that light reflected from the extensive illuminated surface area impinges thereon, is then returned to the illuminated surface area, and is re-reflected therefrom;
• imaging means for imaging light re-reflected from the extensive illuminated surface area;
• and
• detecting means for detecting dark or bright areas in the imaged light, the dark or bright areas being indicative of a characteristic of the extensive illuminated surface area.

A method of inspecting a surface comprising:

• illuminating an extensive area of a surface of an object with light from a divergent light source;
• providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom;
• and
• imaging said re-reflected light.

Apparatus for inspecting a surface comprising:

• light source means for illuminating an extensive area of a surface of an object with divergent light;
• a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements, said member being positionable such that light reflected from a surface illuminated with divergent light from said light source means is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom;
• and
• means for imaging said re-reflected light.

A method of visually observing a geometric distortion in a surface comprising:

• illumiating an extensive area of a surface of an object;
• providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom, said re-reflected light comprising bright or dark areas indicative of a geometric distortion in said surface;
• and
• visually observing light re-reflected from the illuminated surface to observe the surface and a geometric distortion therein.

Apparatus for rendering visible a geometric distortion in a surface comprising:

• means for illuminating an extensive area of a surface of an object;
• and
• a retroflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements;
• said retroreflective member being positioned in a location such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom, said re-reflected light comprising visible bright or dark areas indicative, under visual observation, of a geometric distortion in said surface.

A method of detecting a geometric distortion in a surface comprising:

• illuminating a surface of an object with light such that an area of such surface is illuminated, said area being substantially larger than a geometric distortion to be detected;
• providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom;
• and
• detecting light re-reflected from the illuminated surface, said re-reflected light comprising detectable dark or bright areas indicative of a geometric distortion present in the illuminated surface.

Apparatus for detecting a geometric distortion in a surface comprising:

• means for illuminating a surface of an object with light such that an area of said surface is illuminated, said area being substantially larger than the area of a geometric distortion to be detected;
• a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements;
• said retroreflective member being positioned such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom;
• and
• means for detecting light re-reflected from the illuminated surface, said re-reflected light comprising detectable dark or bright areas indicative of a geometric distortion present in the illuminated surface.

A method of inspecting a surface comprising:

• illuminating a surface of an object with light;
• providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom;
• and
• detecting light re-reflected from the illuminated surface, said illumination being effected from a location displaced from the axis of light detection.

Apparatus for inspecting a surface comprising:

• means for illuminating a surface of an object with light;
• a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements;
• that
• said retroreflective member being positioned such light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom;
• and
• means for detecting light re-reflected from the illuminated surface;
• a location
• said illuminating means being positioned at displaced from the axis of light detection.