Abstract: This invention relates to an electro-optical technique which senses form type and other defects on surfaces such as sheet metal or plastic panels. Method and apparatus are disclosed for allowing the inspection of the entire surface of interest from a single point of view while reducing the complexity of defects' optical signatures to simplify their subsequent analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to electro-optical sensing of form type and other defects on surfaces such as sheet metal or plastic panels. Method and apparatus are disclosed for detection and quantification of defects such as dents, creases, low spots, flat spots, etc. which are a result of the manufacturing, material handling and assembly process. Surfaces of interest are generally those of automobile body panels, (e.g. hoods, fenders), refrigerator panels, furniture panels, and aircraft panels. Similar applications exist to dies and other formed metallic or plastic parts. Both automatic and human visual methods and apparatus are disclosed. The disclosed invention is also effective on paint defects such as orange peel encountered in automotive and other applications. Assemblies of panels, such as car bodies may also be inspected using the invention, and both fixed and moving (e.g. robotic) sensor versions are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns optical non-destructive test of materials using surface distortions detected by light which is reflected from the surface, retroreflected back to the surface and thence to form an image containing a greatly enhanced view of local deformation. In addition, the method is usable for determining surface characteristics of membranes and the like which can be influenced by sound and other wave energy from tested members and other sources and objects.

Abstract: This invention relates to electro-optical sensing of form type and other defects on surfaces such as sheet metal or plastic panels. Method and apparatus are disclosed for detection and quantification of defects such as dents, creases, low spots, flat spots, etc. which are a result of the manufacturing, material handling and assembly process. Surfaces of interest are generally those of automobile body panels, (e.g. hoods, fenders), refrigerator panels, furniture panels, and aircraft panels. Similar applications exist to dies and other formed metallic or plastic parts. Both automatic and human visual methods and apparatus are disclosed. The disclosed invention is also effective on paint defects such as orange peel encountered in automotive and other applications. Assemblies of panels, such as car bodies may also be inspected using the invention, and both fixed and moving (e.g. robotic) sensor versions are disclosed.