OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR IMAGING DISTORTIONS IN MOVING REFLECTIVE SHEETS

摘要

An inspection apparatus for detecting the surface distortion in a sheet of reflective material such as tempered glass includes an improved optical system. The optical system includes a light source spanning the entire width of an industrial glass conveyor, directing a striped image at the glass. The image is reflected from the glass and detected by a series of image capture devices such as CCD cameras, for example, imaging the entire width of the conveyor. A plurality of images are captured in real time across the width of the conveyor as the glass travels through the reflected image. The image data is used to measure the distance from high points (peaks) on the glass to low points (valleys). This approach tolerates substantial vibration and movement of the glass sheet inherent in such an industrial environment. Because the method is comparative, no standard value and therefore no periodic calibration are required.