System and method for inspection of components

An automatic portable inspection system, comprising:

• a part holder for holding a component to be inspected;
• a rotary actuator coupled to the part holder, wherein said rotary actuator provides rotation of the component;
• an eddy current probe for scanning the component and providing a plurality of eddy current signals;
• a self-alignment unit comprising a casing for the eddy current probe, a plurality of pins extending from the casing to a surface of the component, and a spring disposed between the casing and one end of the eddy current probe, wherein another end of the probe engages the surface of the component, wherein the self-alignment unit is coupled to the eddy current probe, wherein said self-alignment unit is configured to align an axis of the eddy current probe substantially perpendicular to a surface of the component and to maintain constant contact with said surface of the component during scanning;
• a linear actuator coupled to the self-alignment unit, wherein the linear actuator provides movement of the eddy current probe along the X, Y and Z axes;
• and
• a motion control unit coupled to the rotary actuator and the linear actuator, wherein said motion control unit controls the rotary actuator and the linear actuator for moving said eddy current probe about the component in accordance with a scan plan.