Automated nital etch inspection system
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsJeffrey P. Nissen, Edward Hohman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method to inspect flaws associated with a part. The system includes a first image capturing device configured to capture a first set of images of the part and a computer operably associated with first image capturing device and configured to receive and analyze the first set of images. The method includes treating the part with a nital etchant solution, capturing a first set of images of an outer surface of the part with the first image capturing device, and identifying a part defect with an algorithm associated with the computer.
Claims18
A quality control inspection system, comprising:
- a first image capturing device configured to capture a first set of images of a part from a first angle relative to the part;
- a second image capturing device configured to capture a second set of images of the part from a second angle relative to the part, the second angle being different from the first angle;
- and
- a computer operably associated with the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device, the computer being configured to receive and analyze the first set of images and the second set of images and configured to identify a part flaw, the computer having an image of a second part devoid of flaws;
- wherein the first and second image capturing devices are repositionable relative to each other such that the first and second angles vary as the first and second image capturing devices are repositioned;
- wherein the part is pretreated with a nital etchant solution, a mixture of alcohol and nitric acid;
- and
- wherein the computer is configured to compare the first and second sets of images of the part with the image of the second part devoid of flaws to determine if the part has defects.
A method, comprising:
- treating a part with a nital etchant solution;
- capturing a first set of images of an outer surface of the part with a first image capturing device from a first angle;
- selecting one of a plurality of different locations from which to capture a second set of images using a second image capturing device;
- capturing the second set of images of the part with the second image capturing device from a second angle, the second angle being different from the first angle;
- relaying the first and second sets of images to a computer;
- identifying part flaws with an algorithm associated with the computer;
- comparing the first and second sets of images with a second image of a second part devoid of defects;
- and
- displaying the first and second sets of images on a display operably associated with the computer.
A method, comprising:
- treating a gear with a nital etchant solution;
- capturing a first set of images of an outer surface of the gear with a first image capturing device from a first angle;
- selecting one of a plurality of different locations from which to capture a second set of images using a second image capturing device;
- capturing the second set of images of the part with the second image capturing device from a second angle, the second angle being different from the first angle;
- relaying the first and second sets of images to a computer;
- identifying gear flaws with an algorithm associated with the computer by comparing the first and second sets of images with a second image of a second part devoid of defects;
- and
- displaying the first and second sets of images on a display operably associated with the computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.