System and method for detecting defects in a surface of a workpiece

A method of detecting defects in a surface of a workpiece using a surface inspection system, comprising the steps of:

• emitting a line of light onto the surface of the workpiece;
• passing the surface of the workpiece through the line of light;
• capturing a first set of image data representative of a portion of the surface of the workpiece using an imaging device, said imaging device having a plane of observation and being positionable at a vantage point such that the line of light is within its plane of observation;
• providing model data indicative of the spatial relationship between said portion of the surface of the workpiece and the observation plane of said imaging device;
• capturing a second set of image data representative of said portion of the surface of the workpiece using said imaging device;
• identifying at least one potential surface defect in said second set of image data;
• capturing a third set of image data representative of said portion of the surface of the workpiece using said imaging device;
• and
• tracking the potential surface defect from said second set of image data to said third set of image data using said model data, thereby assessing if the potential surface defect constitutes a defect in the surface of the workpiece.

A method of detecting defects in a surface of a workpiece, comprising the steps of:

• emitting a line of light onto the surface of the workpiece;
• passing the surface of the workpiece through the line of light;
• capturing a first set of image data representative of a portion of the surface of the workpiece using an imaging device, said imaging device having a plane of observation and being positionable at a vantage point such that the line of light is within its plane of observation;
• identifying at least one potential surface defect in said first set of image data;
• determining a velocity for the workpiece;
• transforming the velocity of the workpiece into a velocity at which potential surface defects are moving in relation to said imaging device;
• capturing a second set of image data representative of said portion of the surface of the workpiece using said imaging device;
• and
• tracking the potential surface defect from said first set of image data to said second set of image data using the velocity at which potential surface defects are moving in relation to said imaging device, thereby assessing if the potential surface defect constitutes a defect in the surface of the workpiece.