Abstract: An apparatus and method for the function to control the lighting direction onto an object surface, focus the light, and maintain the lighting uniformity. A ring light system takes advantage of a contoured reflector to match with the uniform, non-focused ring light source, and converting the non-focused ring light source into a focused uniform ring light source.

Abstract: A system and method for profile measurement based on triangulation involves arrangement of an image acquisition assembly relative to an illumination assembly such that an imaging plane is parallel to a light plane (measurement plane defined by where the light plane impinges on the object), which supports uniform pixel resolution in the imaging plane. The image acquisition assembly includes an imaging sensor having a sensor axis and a lens having a principal axis, wherein the lens axis is offset from the imaging axis.

Abstract: A portable imaging-based measurement device is developed to perform 2D projection based measurements on an object that is difficult or dangerous to access. This device is equipped with self calibration capability and built-in operating procedures to ensure proper imaging based measurement.

Abstract: An inspection system for detecting flaws on a moving metal (e.g., steel) bar coordinates the operation of an eddy current testing (ECT)-based flaw detection apparatus and an imaging-based flaw detection apparatus. The ECT-based flaw detection apparatus and the imaging-based flaw detection apparatus are disposed along a movement path in a predetermined relationship with each other, for example, as a predetermined fixed offset distance therebetween. A synchronizing mechanism synchronizes the output data streams from the two flaw detection apparatuses based on the predetermined relationship, so as to align the data streams as function of the axial position on the metal bar. A processing unit is configured to process the synchronized data streams for the detection of flaws, which are then also synchronized (axial position).

Abstract: An apparatus to control lateral motion of a bar moving along a guidance path includes a pair of rotatable hubs each having at least first and second rollers at locations around the perimeter of the hub. The first roller has a first retaining groove of a first radius and the second roller has a second groove of a second radius smaller than the first radius. Each hub further includes at least one guiding element located between the rollers with a guide channel extending in the outer surface. A mounting system allows the hubs to be rotated between first and second positions. In the first position the first rollers oppose each other forming a guideway having a first, enlarged diameter for capturing a free end of an approaching bar. In the second position the second rollers form a second, smaller diameter to match the actual size of the bar.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solving the problems associated with the detection of surface defects on metal bars as well as the problems associated with applying metal flat inspection systems to metal bars for non-destructive surface defects detection. A specially designed imaging system, which is comprised of a computing unit, line lights and high data rate line scan cameras, is developed for the aforementioned purpose. The target application is the metal bars (1) that have a circumference/cross-section-area ratio equal to or smaller than 4.25 when the cross section area is unity for the given shape, (2) whose cross-sections are round, oval, or in the shape of a polygon, and (3) are manufactured by mechanically cross-section reduction processes. The said metal can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, titanium, nickel, and so forth, and/or their alloys. The said metal bars can be at the temperature when they are being manufactured. A removable cassette includes various mirrors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solving the problems associated with the detection of surface defects on metal bars as well as the problems associated with applying metal flat inspection systems to metal bars for non-destructive surface defects detection. A specially designed imaging system, which is comprised of a computing unit, line lights and high data rate line scan cameras, is developed for the aforementioned purpose. The target application is the metal bars (1) that have a circumference/cross-section-area ratio equal to or smaller than 4.25 when the cross section area is unity for the given shape, (2) whose cross-sections are round, oval, or in the shape of a polygon, and (3) are manufactured by mechanically cross-section reduction processes. The said metal can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, titanium, nickel, and so forth, and/or their alloys. The said metal bars can be at the temperature when they are being manufactured. A removable cassette includes various mirrors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solving the problems associated with the detection of surface defects on metal bars as well as the problems associated with applying metal flat inspection systems to metal bars for non-destructive surface defects detection. A specially designed imaging system, which is comprised of a computing unit, line lights and high data rate line scan cameras, is developed for the aforementioned purpose. The target application is the metal bars (1) that have a circumference/cross-section-area ratio equal to or smaller than 4.25 when the cross section area is unity for the given shape, (2) whose cross-sections are round, oval, or in the shape of a polygon, and (3) are manufactured by mechanically cross-section reduction processes. The said metal can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, titanium, nickel, and so forth, and/or their alloys. The said metal bars can be at the temperature when they are being manufactured.

Abstract: An adjustable guide, includes two or more mechanisms each having a rotatable retaining element containing a retaining groove with a variable radius in its perimeter surface. The grooves form a guidance path to control the lateral, i.e. non-axial, motion of a long bar moving along a longitudinal axis during a production process. The diameter of the guidance path varies according to the variable radii of the grooves. The guidance path increases in size at a predetermined rate, from a point of origin to an end point on the retaining groove. Rotating the retaining elements causes the diameter of the retaining grooves to change so that the size of the guidance path can be changed to match the diameter of the bar being rolled, size of the guidance path can be changed to fit the diameter of a new bar rolled without having to exchange the guide for a different sized guide, reduce fiction between the bar and the guide, a media, such as compressed air, can be injected between the retaining elements via orifices.

Abstract: A motion detection system, and more particularly, a non-contact, movement-measurement and position-tracking device, and a method of applying the device on long, non-textured or regularly textured metal objects at an elevated temperature are invented. The invention takes advantage of the oxidation marks, also known as scale, on the surface of the metal object to track the motion. The oxidation marks are typically random and irregular, providing a means for pattern tracking using imaging technologies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solving the problems associated with the detection of surface defects on metal bars as well as the problems associated with applying metal flat inspection systems to metal bars for non-destructive surface defects detection. A specially designed imaging system, which is comprised of a computing unit, line lights and high data rate line scan cameras, is developed for the aforementioned purpose. The target application is the metal bars (1) that have a circumference/cross-section-area ratio equal to or smaller than 4.25 when the cross section area is unity for the given shape, (2) whose cross-sections are round, oval, or in the shape of a polygon, and (3) are manufactured by mechanically cross-section reduction processes. The said metal can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, titanium, nickel, and so forth, and/or their alloys. The said metal bars can be at the temperature when they are being manufactured.

Abstract: An optical system for viewing hot objects is disclosed. The system projects electromagnetic radiation to the part surface and detects the reflected portion. Based on wavelength and/or modulation of the applied illumination, the surface characteristics of the part can be observed without interference from self-emitted radiation.

Abstract: An inspection system is used to view an image of the inside diameter (ID) of an engine bearing. The inspection system includes a stationary line scan camera, a pivoting mirror, a scanning mirror and a stationary mount. The engine bearing is placed in the stationary mount such that the bearing remains motionless throughout the entire scanning process. The light line generator produces a light line that initially contacts a beam splitter. The beam splitter then guides the light line onto the pivoting mirror, which then directs the light line onto one of a pair of stationary mirrors and then finally onto the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror will sweep the light line across a portion of the engine bearing ID surface. The light line will generate reflected images of the ID surface. These reflected images will return along the light line's path; however, instead of being directed back into the light line generator by the beam splitter, the reflected images will pass through the beam splitter.

Abstract: A method is used for imaging applications so that one can simultaneously apply multiple illumination schemes and simultaneously acquire the images, each associated with one of the multiple illumination schemes. The illumination schemes can be, but not limited to, any combination of reflective illumination, transmitive illumination (backlighting), bright field illumination, dark field illumination, diffused illumination, cloudy-day illumination, and structured illumination. The radiation can be in any wavelengths, ranging from sonic waves, ultra sound, radio waves, microwaves, infrared, near infrared, visible light, ultra violet, X-rays, and gamma rays. The radiation of each of the illumination schemes used in an imaging application is modulated, that is, affixed with a unique signature. One or more imaging devices can be used to collect the radiating rays simultaneously after the rays interact with the object(s).