APPARATUS FOR SURFACE IMAGE SENSING AND SURFACE INSPECTION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES

摘要

An apparatus for providing a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object (1) illuminates the surface (11) of the object using an illumination source (2). Portions (6) of the surface are imaged through an aperture (12) in a plate (5) onto a portion (7) of a matrix sensor (3). The object is rotated about its principle axis while being simultaneously translated, and, at the same time the aperture is also rotated. By synchronising these translational and rotational movements, successive portions of the object surface can imag e onto respective successive portions of the matrix sensor, thereby providing an improved two-dimensional image of the surface of the object.