Abstract: A video inspection system is provided wherein light from a light source is directed through a field lens. The field lens directs the incident light first in the direction of an object under inspection and then, after reflecting from said object, redirecting the reflected light toward the aperture of an imaging lens/camera assembly. This redirection technique results in magnification of selected regions of the object.

Abstract: An instrumentation system for measuring forces during tool and die forming operations including a load cell positioned in a well bored into a base plate. The plate includes a series of channels that carry wiring from the load cell to the periphery of the base plate. The load cell is preferably mounted flush with a supporting surface of the base plate to facilitate periodic cleaning. The load cell includes sensors generating a signal corresponding to the force or compression on the load cell. The load cell also includes apertures extending therethrough to allow existing tooling to be mounted on the load cell to the base plate via fasteners and pins extending through the load cell to the base plate. An universal load cell embodiment includes a pattern of apertures allowing two or more tools having unique hole patterns to be mounted on the load cell with fasteners and pins extending therethrough.

Abstract: A solid-state lighting unit for automated visual inspection includes a high-density array of light emitting diodes. The packing density of said diode array being limited only by the physical size of the light emitting diode chips and the ability to perform die and wire bond operations on the bare chips. Each diode is disposed on an electrically insulated, thermally conductive base unit. The base unit is, in turn, in a thermally conductive path with a heat dissipator. The provisions made to ensure a thermally conductive path from the individual light emitting diode chips to the heat dissipator combined with the high chip packing densities work together to create a solid-state lighting array capable of producing extremely high illumination fields when operated in either pulsed or continuous current mode.

Abstract: An imaging device coupled to a processor generates a number of image signals corresponding to a multicolor pattern of an item in motion. Each of a number of regions of the pattern is correlated to one of a number of reference colors to generate a segmented image of the pattern. The processor models the multicolor pattern by deriving a number of test values from the segmented image representation. Each test value is representative of a corresponding one of the regions and is determined as a function of region size independent of orientation of the multicolor pattern. The test values are compared to reference data to detect a variation of the item. The reference colors may be determined from color pairs with each pair having a first member from a first set of sample colors and a second member from a second set of sample colors.

Abstract: Camera based inspection equipment is used in conjunction with a multiple-station forming device such as a blow molder for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or PEN bottle manufacturing. The inspection system relies on handling devices that present successive bottles for imaging, and due to their operation with the forming device it is possible to correlate inspection data with individual forming elements and/or transfer elements. A seal surface inspection module, a base/neck fold inspection module and a finish gauge inspection module are integrated into the route of preforms and containers through the container manufacturing equipment such that the inspection system is directed to view the passing bottles as they are carried on the transfer devices needed to load and unload the molder.

Abstract: A system for detecting a side wall perforation in containers operates non-invasively and at line speeds. A stream of similar containers are communicated to an inspection area. An exterior of each container is illuminated while the container is in the inspection area. Light from an interior of the container is focused, via a lens, to a video camera. Any perforate flaw in the container walls results in a point source of light in the container interior. Since the perforations are relatively small, the point source is created due to diffractive properties of the slit perforation. These diffractive properties facilitate obtaining an image of the flaw from the camera disposed to the interior of the container when the camera is mounted orthogonally to the perforation or parallel to the wall being inspected. In an other embodiment, the relative positions of the light source and camera are interchanged. A method for container inspection is also provided in connection with the afore-noted structure.

Abstract: A substantially isotropic illumination source utilizes a generally spherical, translucent diffuser. The spherical diffuser has an inner wall and a diffusive outer wall. Light is communicated inwardly to the sphere along a first hemisphere. Light is diffused and homogenized by internal reflection within the sphere and communicated outwardly through a complimentary hemisphere. This light, upon being diffused by the external or outer wall is substantially isotropic. The isotropic light so generated is utilized for video inspection of translucent specimens with improved contrast to facilitate detection of flaws therein. Another aspect utilizes a specimen itself as the isotropic diffuser.

Abstract: An engineered lighting system for high speed video inspection includes an array of light emitting diodes including light emitting diodes for use in time delay integration (TDI) inspection of web materials. The light emitting diodes of the array are selectively controllable to accomplish sequential illumination and carefully controllable imaging of a specified section of a continuously moving specimen or specimens. LEDs with different wavelength light output, or multi-wavelength light LEDs are utilized for rapid and reliable inspection of surfaces with varying color or contour or detect characteristics. The system also includes an array of optional backlighting elements to aid in illumination of semi-opaque specimens to accomplish inspection thereof.

Abstract: A parcel detection system works in connection with a stream of parcels, such as might be encountered in connection with bulk mail sorting apparatii. A presence of multiple parcels traveling adjacent one to another is detected with a line scan charge coupled device. A transducer array is disposed perpendicularly to the stream flow. Specular illumination of edges of the parcels is completed to facilitate capturing an image in the CCD array. An analog signal, obtained from the array, includes information representative of a number of adjacent parcels. This information is processed to provide a signal representative of a number of parcels traveling adjacent to one another in the stream.

Abstract: An engineered lighting system for high speed video inspection includes an array of light emitting diodes including light emitting diodes for use in time delay integration (TDI) inspection of web materials. The light emitting diodes of the array are selectively controllable to accomplish sequential illumination and carefully controllable imaging of a specified section of a continuously moving specimen or specimens. The system also includes an array of optional backlighting elements to aid in illumination of semi-opaque specimens to accomplish inspection thereof.