NON-CONTACT METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INSPECTING A MANUFACTURED PART AT AN INSPECTION STATION HAVING A MEASUREMENT AXIS

摘要

A method and system for inspecting a manufactured part at an inspection station are provided. A supported part is rotated about a measurement axis so that the part moves at predetermined angular increments during at least one rotational scan. A backside beam of collimated radiation is directed at and is occluded by the supported part at each of a first plurality of consecutive increments of movement to create a stream of unobstructed portions of the backside beam in rapid succession passing by and not blocked by the supported part. A frontside beam of radiation is directed at and is reflected by the supported part at each of a second plurality of consecutive increments of movement to create a stream of reflected portions of the frontside beam in rapid succession. The streams of reflected and unobstructed portions are detected at the inspection station to obtain electrical signals which are processed.

主权项

1. A method of inspecting a manufactured part at an inspection station having a measurement axis, the method comprising the steps of:
supporting a part having opposite ends, a length between the ends, a width and a part axis wherein the part has backside and frontside surfaces when supported; rotating the supported part about the measurement axis so that the part moves at predetermined angular increments during at least one rotational scan; directing a backside beam of collimated radiation at substantially the entire backside surface of the supported part at each of a first plurality of consecutive angular increments of movement, wherein the backside beam is occluded by the supported part at each of the first plurality of consecutive increments of movement to create a stream of unobstructed portions of the backside beam in rapid succession passing by and not blocked by the supported part; directing a frontside beam of radiation at at least a portion of the entire frontside surface of the supported part at each of a second plurality of consecutive angular increments of movement, wherein the frontside beam is reflected by the supported part at each of the second plurality of consecutive increments of movement to create a stream of reflected portions of the frontside beam in rapid succession; detecting the streams of reflected and unobstructed portions at the inspection station to obtain electrical signals; and processing the electrical signals to determine at least one geometric dimension and any visual defects of the part.