Abstract: An alignment system for a scanning camera and illumination source includes a tape having a plurality of fiducials arranged systematically in opposition about a common center line. The camera is supported on a gimbaled platform for adjusting roll, pitch and yaw to bisect the tape fiducials with the camera scan line. The tape is mounted by holders received in datum definition hardware to insure intimate contact with a product surface. The holders facilitate adjustment of the tape fiducials relative to the machine center line in a surface inspection system such as a web scanner. Position indicating gauges facilitate alignment of an illumination source to the same center line.

Abstract: An environmental enclosure provides a maintenance free surfaceless viewing window through a specially designed aperture for a clean, clear field of view for the lens of an enclosed camera, as well as cooling and isolation from ambient and camera-generated temperatures. The environmental enclosure device utilizes a method of pressurizing the environmental internal to the device to create a positive air flow through the aperture. The aperture is designed to create a vortex in order to encourage a surfaceless barrier which prevents external contaminants from entering the device. The aperture is provided through a removable aperture plate for ease in maintenance. The device provides unabated camera access through a removable portion which is angularly split from a fixed portion of the device, wherein the angular split permits the removal of the sufficient portion of the device in a tight-fitting region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a very open shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c,20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a prewound spool of web material (10) to be inserted radially, laterally into the very open form shell, after which the shell is closed and end caps (24) are installed. Apparatus are disclosed for forming the very open form shell (40), transferring the shell to a mechanism for applying end caps (48), inserting a prewound spool of web material (56) into the very open shell, positioning the spool accurately within the shell (780-856), closing the shell about the spool (58) and staking the end caps in place (60).