Fiber optic solder joint inspection system

A non-contact inspection apparatus for determining the shape of an object having a specular surface comprising:

• (a) an array of point light sources spaced apart from one another in a fixed configuration about a common site at which the object is placed for inspection;
• (b) means for sequentially projecting each of the point light sources for emitting light toward the object;
• (c) a means for viewing the object at the common site to detect light patterns caused by the reflections of light of each point light source from the object surface;
• (d) a means for interpreting the light patterns to determine the surface orientation of points on the object;
• and
• (e) a means for reconstructing the object surface profile using the surface orientation of points on the object.

A non-contact inspection apparatus for determining the shape of an object having specular surfaces comprising:

• (a) an array of point light sources spaced apart from one another in a fixed hemispherical configuration about a common site at which the object is placed for inspection;
• (b) means for sequentially activating each of the point light sources for emitting light toward the object;
• (c) means for detect the variety of light patterns caused by the reflections of light from each point light source at each location from the object surface;
• (d) means for interpret the series of light patterns to determine the surface orientation of points on the object;
• and
• (e) means for reconstruct the object profile using the surface orientation of a variety of points on the object.

A method for determining the shape of an object having a specular surface comprising the steps of:

• (a) projecting sequentially toward the object the light from each of a plurality of point light sources which are arranged in a fixed hemispherical configuration about a common site at which the object is placed for inspection;
• (b) means for viewing the object at the common site to detect light patterns caused by the reflections of light of each point light source from the object surface wherein viewing the object at the common site is done from a single direction at a fixed location;
• (c) interpreting the light patterns to determine the surface orientation of points on the object surface;
• and
• (d) reconstructing the object surface profile using the surface orientations of points on the object.