# US 8,570,504 B2 · Method and system for optically inspecting parts

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- Number: US 8,570,504 B2
- Document ID: US8570504B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/109,369
- Filed: 2011-05-17
- Published: 2012-11-22
- Granted: 2013-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2011-05-17
- Assignees: GII Acquisition, LLC
- Applicants: Michael G. Nygaard
- Inventors: Michael G. Nygaard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8570504B2

## CPC

- G01N 21/88: Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
- B07C 5/342: according to optical properties, e.g. colour {(according to radiation transmittivity B07C5/3416)}
- F42B 35/00: Testing or checking of ammunition {(apparatus for measuring the energy of projectiles G01L5/14)}
- G01N 21/909: {in opaque containers or opaque container parts, e.g. cans, tins, caps, labels}
- G01N 21/9515: {Objects of complex shape, e.g. examined with use of a surface follower device (measuring contours and curvatures G01B11/24)}
- G01N 21/952: Inspecting the exterior surface of cylindrical bodies or wires (G01N21/956 takes precedence)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- B07C: POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING (specially adapted for a specific purpose covered by another class, see the relevant place, e.g. A43D33/06, B23Q7/12)
- F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D)

## Abstract

A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided wherein the system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. An illumination assembly simultaneously illuminates a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part with a plurality of separate beams of radiation. A telecentric lens and detector assembly forms an optical image of at least a portion of each of the illuminated side surfaces of the part and detects the optical images. A processor processes the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the axis of the part.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of optically inspecting parts, each of the parts having a length, a width and an axis, the method comprising:
supporting a part to be inspected at a loading station;
transferring the supported part so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection;
simultaneously imaging a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part which are angularly spaced about the axis of the part at the inspection station to form an optical image of at least a portion of each of the imaged side surfaces of the part at a single image plane;
detecting the optical images at the image plane;
processing the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the axis of the part; and
transferring the part after the inspection at the inspection station so that the inspected part travels along a second path which extends from the inspection station to an unloading station.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the views are substantially equally spaced about the axis of the part at the inspection station.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the part is stationary at the inspection station.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loading station is coincident with the unloading station.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of coordinating the inspection of the part at the inspection station with the transfer of the part to and from the inspection station to control movement of the part and the inspecting of the part.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second paths define a loop-shaped path and wherein each of the stations is located along the loop-shaped path.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of imaging forms optical images of the imaged exterior side surfaces of the part and wherein the detected images are processed to identify a defective part.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of imaging forms optical images of pairs of lateral edges of the part, wherein the views of the part are in contour and wherein the detected images are processed to obtain a measurement of the part.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising displaying at least one view of the part.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parts include cartridge cases.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the detected optical images of the case are processed to determine at least one of a dent, a split, a perforation, a crack, a scratch, a wrinkle, a buckle, a bulge, and a surface blemish located at the side surfaces of the case.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parts include threaded fasteners.

### Claim 13

A system for optically inspecting parts, each of the parts having a length, a width and an axis, the system comprising:
a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection and to transfer the part after inspection at the inspection station so that the inspected part travels along a second path which extends from the inspection station to an unloading station;
an imaging assembly to simultaneously image a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part which are angularly spaced about the axis of the part when the part is located at the inspection station, the assembly including a telecentric lens and detector assembly to simultaneously form an optical image of at least a portion of each of the imaged side surfaces of the part at a single image plane and to detect the optical images at the image plane; and
a processor to process the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the axis of the part.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the detector includes image sensor having an image plane to detect the optical images.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the optical images are formed from the imaged side surfaces and wherein the parts include cartridge cases.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the detected optical images are processed to determine at least one a dent, a split, a perforation, a crack, a scratch, a wrinkle, a buckle, a bulge, and a surface blemish located at the side surfaces of the case.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the optical images include pairs of lateral edges of the part, wherein the views of the part are in contour and wherein the parts include threaded fasteners.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the views are substantially equally spaced about the axis of the part at the inspection station.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transfer mechanism includes a conveyor.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the conveyor is a magnetic conveyor.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the conveyor is a vacuum transfer conveyor.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the conveyor includes a perforated conveyor belt wherein a head of the part is held against a surface of the belt.

### Claim 23 (depends on 13)

The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transfer mechanism includes a moveable table or disk.

### Claim 24 (depends on 13)

The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transfer mechanism is a vacuum transfer mechanism.

### Claim 25 (depends on 13)

The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the imaging assembly includes a mirror subassembly having at least one mirror disposed on one side of the first and second paths and at least one mirror disposed on the opposite side of the first and second paths.

### Claim 26

A system for optically inspecting parts, each of the parts having a head and a length, a width, and an axis, the system comprising:
a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a plurality of parts at their heads in spaced apart relationship at a loading station and to transfer the supported parts so that the parts travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the parts have a predetermined position and orientation for inspection and to transfer the parts after inspection at the inspection station so that the inspected parts travel along a second path which extends from the inspection station to an unloading station;
an imaging assembly to simultaneously image a plurality of exterior side surfaces of each part which are angularly spaced about the axis of the part when the part is located at the inspection station, the assembly including a telecentric lens and detector assembly to simultaneously form an optical image of at least a portion of each of the imaged side surfaces of the part at a single image plane and to detect the optical images at the image plane; and
a processor to process the detected images to obtain a plurality of views of each of the parts angularly spaced about the axes of each of the parts.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The system as claimed in claim 26 further comprising a system controller to control the part transfer subsystem and the imaging assembly to control the flow of the parts to and from the inspection station and the inspecting of the parts at the inspection station.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the transfer mechanism includes a conveyor.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the conveyor is a vacuum transfer conveyor.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the conveyor includes a perforated conveyor belt wherein the heads of the parts are held against a surface of the belt.

### Claim 31 (depends on 26)

The system as claimed in claim 26 wherein the transfer mechanism is a vacuum transfer mechanism.