Abstract: By using an image signal acquired by picking up a sample to be inspected by a color video camera, penetrant inspection and magnetic-particle inspection which are non-destructive inspections are carried out so that deficiency candidates including a pseudo deficiency are automatically detected and are displayed on a screen. A real deficiency can be detected from the deficiency candidates displayed on the screen. As image data is stored in memory means, information of a deficiency can be repeatedly reproduced on the screen. In the penetrant inspection, the chromaticity at each position on an image is acquired, a deficiency candidate is extracted based on the chrominance, and the deficiency is distinguished from a pseudo deficiency based on the differential value of the chrominance.

Abstract: An image input can be executed without any influence of physical conditions of an inspection object and environment such as installation area by utilizing a cordless type image pickup apparatus in the excellent portability combining a lighting apparatus to a digital camera. On the occasion of picking up an image of such inspection object, marks of the shape such as the rectangular shape, circular shape and linear line shape and marks of the shape combining the linear lines (plus sign (+), capital letter L or cross (+)) of known size are allocated within the same image and these marks are extracted simultaneously. Thereby, compensation process for the magnifying factor, position and tilt is conducted using the marks allocated in the image with the equal interval. Input data is continuously applied depending on the inspection object to generate a total inspection map by combining such input data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a crack in a metal surface or the like, and, particularly, to an inspection method and apparatus for nondestructive inspection such as liquid penetrant inspection and magnetic particle testing. The present invention provides a flaw inspection method that essentially comprises the steps of illuminating a surface of a sample to be inspected, obtaining an image of the surface, characterizing a potential flaw on the inspected surface by processing the obtained image, displaying an image of the potential flaw, verifying that the potential flaw is a true flaw, and storing an image of the verified flaw in memory.

Abstract: By using an image signal acquired by picking up a sample to be inspected by a color video camera, penetrant inspection and magnetic-particle inspection which are non-destructive inspections are carried out so that deficiency candidates including a pseudo deficiency are automatically detected and are displayed on a screen. A real deficiency can be detected from the deficiency candidates displayed on the screen. As image data is stored in memory means, information of a deficiency can be repeatedly reproduced on the screen. In the penetrant inspection, the chromaticity at each position on an image is acquired, a deficiency candidate is extracted based on the chrominance, and the deficiency is distinguished from a pseudo deficiency based on the differential value of the chrominance.

Abstract: Using an image signal acquired by picking up a sample to be inspected by a color video camera, penetrant inspection and magnetic-particle inspection, which are non-destructive inspections, are carried out so that deficiency candidates, including a pseudo deficiency, are automatically detected and displayed on a screen. A real deficiency can be detected from the displayed deficiency candidates. As image data is stored in memory means, information of a deficiency can be repeatedly reproduced on the screen. In the penetrant inspection, the chromaticity at each position on an image is acquired, a deficiency candidate is extracted based on the chrominance, and the deficiency is distinguished from a pseudo deficiency based on the differential value of the chrominance. A polarization filter eliminates regular reflection originating from illumination in the penetrant inspection, and an ultraviolet-rays cutting filter prevents noise in the magnetic-particle inspection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a crack in a metal surface or the like, and, particularly, to an inspection method and apparatus for nondestructive inspection such as liquid penetrant inspection and magnetic particle testing. The present invention provides a flaw inspection method that essentially comprises the steps of illuminating a surface of a sample to be inspected, obtaining an image of the surface, characterizing a potential flaw on the inspected surface by processing the obtained image, displaying an image of the potential flaw, verifying that the potential flaw is a true flaw, and storing an image of the verified flaw in memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a crack in a metal surface or the like, and, particularly, to an inspection method and apparatus for nondestructive inspection such as liquid penetrant inspection and magnetic particle testing. The present invention provides a flaw inspection method that essentially comprises the steps of illuminating a surface of a sample to be inspected, obtaining an image of the surface, characterizing a potential flaw on the inspected surface by processing the obtained image, displaying an image of the potential flaw, verifying that the potential flaw is a true flaw, and storing an image of the verified flaw in memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method which provides reliable image information that makes it possible to perform external inspections for defects in the welded parts of piping and the like using images such as movie images, still images and the like. Using a digital camera, digital video camera or the like, the reliability of images can be increased by adding information such as the time and place of imaging, air temperature, humidity, altitude, environment, sounds and the like to images. Furthermore, since imaging data is transmitted to a data managing company via the internet or the like immediately after imaging, the possibility of falsification by the person performing the imaging or the like is eliminated, so that the reliability of the images is increased, thus making it possible to obtain highly reliable image information.

Abstract: An image input can be executed without any influence of physical conditions of an inspection object and environment such as installation area by utilizing a cordless type image pickup apparatus in the excellent portability combining a lighting apparatus to a digital camera. On the occasion of picking up an image of such inspection object, marks of the shape such as the rectangular shape, circular shape and linear line shape and marks of the shape combining the linear lines (plus sign (+), capital letter L or cross (+)) of known size are allocated within the same image and these marks are extracted simultaneously. Thereby, compensation process for the magnifying factor, position and tilt is conducted using the marks allocated in the image with the equal interval. Input data is continuously applied depending on the inspection object to generate a total inspection map by combining such input data.

Abstract: A blood separation composition for use in blood collection tubes. The composition comprises, as a gel-like material that is the main ingredient or the composition, a copolymer of sebacic acid with 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol and 1,2-propanediol. The separation composition may further comprise a thixotropic agent blended with the copolymer. The copolymer renders the blood separation composition stable and less flowable during storage, allowing it to form a stable partition barrier in each collection tube when centrifuged. The blood cells above the barrier are prevented from remaining within the serum, without any amount of harmful oily substances being released from the separation composition.

Abstract: A wire matrix printer head has a group of print wires guided so as to pass through holes formed in an ink reservoir. The group of print wires are operatively connected to an actuator unit provided within a housing, the group of print wires having their free ends slidably supported by a bearing plate secured to one end of the housing. An ink chamber is disposed at the rear of the bearing plate, and within the ink chamber is provided an ink reservoir and a spring urging means for urging the ink reservoir towards the bearing plate. The ink reservoir has a sufficiently large clearance relative to each of the print wires, and accordingly, a supply of ink to the respective print wires is transmitted via the back surface of the bearing plate rather than a direct supply thereof from the ink reservoir to the print wire to prevent a deterioration of the ink reservoir due to highly frequent frictions between the ink reservoir and the respective print wires.