Abstract: The present invention utilizes back lighting optics to produce converging white light over an area larger than an area of the edge of the convex object being profiled by the present invention. Opposite the back lighting optics are located a shadow image detector which detects the shadow image of the edge of the convex object, which is located between the back lighting optics and the shadow image detector. The detector generates a plurality of pixel outputs from each of a plurality of vertical locations for the shadow image of the edge. A rotating stage provides relative movement between the convex object and the detector/optics arrangement. The output of the detector which is a high resolution camera is fed into a data processing system which determins a sub-pixel distance measurement for each of the plurality of vertical locations and arranges the sub-pixel distance measurements into rows and columns to construct a surface profile of the convex object.

Abstract: A portable shock-proof instrument for determining the presence of defects in the surface profile of a container. The instrument includes a portable housing having shock-mounted therein an optical table carrying a point source of light, mirrors for reflecting the light in an inverted U-shaped path thereby providing compactness to the instrument, a lens in the middle portion of the U-shaped path for collimating the light and directing it past an edge of the container thereby producing a shadow image of the edge, a rotating stage for selectively turning the container, a cylindrical telescope for magnifying the horizontal field of view of the shadow image in order to enhance the detection of defects, and a camera for capturing a plurality of shadow edge images as the container is being turned. A processor is connected to the rotating stage and to the camera for analyzing the captured plurality of shadow edge images for the presence of defects.