Visual testing
methods, principles and
applications
Visual testing
History of visual inspection
source: US Air Force
Change of perspective
Many concepts are still the same:
source: ge-energy.com
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Visual testing
History of visual inspection
Visual inspection is
source: en.allexperts.com
source: stormthecastle.com
In modern days
source: 2physics.com
Visual testing
NDT definitions
some NDT terminology:
Indication
The response or evidence from an examination, such as a blip on the screen of
an instrument. Indications are classified as true or false. False indications are
those caused by factors not related to the principles of the testing method or by
improper implementation of the method, like film damage in radiography,
electrical interference in ultrasonic testing etc. True indications are further
classified as relevant and non relevant. Relevant indications are those caused by
flaws. Non relevant indications are those caused by known features of the tested
object, like gaps, threads, case hardening etc.
Interpretation
Determining if an indication is of a type to be investigated. For example, in
electromagnetic testing, indications from metal loss are considered flaws because
they should usually be investigated, but indications due to variations in the
material properties may be harmless and nonrelevant.
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Visual testing
NDT definitions
some NDT terminology:
Flaw
A type of discontinuity that must be investigated to see if it is rejectable. For
example, porosity in a weld or metal loss.
Evaluation
Determining if a flaw is rejectable. For example, is porosity in a weld larger than
acceptable by code?
Defect
A flaw that is rejectable i.e. does not meet acceptance criteria. Defects are
generally removed or repaired.
Visual testing
detection devices
The human eye:
source: mycustomeyecare.com
source: ocw.mit.edu
As a detector the human eye is extraordinary:
Visual testing
detection devices
The human eye - dark adaption:
source: www.yorku.ca/eye/darkadap.htm
Visual testing
detection devices
The human factor:
eye fixation of trained inspectors about 200 ms
when the same chip was judged more than once by
an individual inspector the consistency of judgment
was very high
consistency between inspectors was somewhat less
source: techpowerup.com
Schoonahd et al. Ergonomics 16:4 365379 (1973)
Visual testing
detection devices
Machine vision:
source: acquris.se
source: nomenclaturo.com
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Visual testing
detection devices
CCD-cameras:
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Visual testing
detection devices
CCD-cameras:
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Visual testing
detection devices
CCD-cameras:
source: edmundoptics.com
source: ocw.mit.edu
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Visual testing
detection devices
CCD-cameras:
source: edmundoptics.com
source: edmundoptics.com
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Visual testing
Light sources
Intensity spectra of light sources
Light bulb
source: inventorartist.com
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Visual testing
Light sources
Influence of colour on detectability:
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Visual testing
Light sources
Further options using light sources:
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Visual testing
inspection methods
devices used to magnify:
source: cacitches.com
source: tedpella.com
source: es.medwow.com
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Visual testing
inspection methods
Borescopes / fiberscope / endoscope:
source: expertgear.de
source: globalspec.com
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Visual testing
inspection methods
Structured-light 3D scanners:
source: wikipedia.com/Vanessaezekowitz
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Visual testing
inspection methods
Structured-light 3D scanners:
source: Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology's (CCAT)
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Visual testing
inspection methods
Structured-light 3D scanners:
P. Fechteler et al. ICIP2007 (2007)
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Visual testing
inspection methods
Structured-light 3D scanners:
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Visual testing
image analysis
Possible techniques from digital image processing:
Method
Example
Image rendering
Feature extraction
Pattern recognition
Classification
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Visual testing
Challenges
Some open challenges to machine vision:
source: University of Pennsylvania / J. Shi
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Visual testing
Challenges
Application to composite materials
Minakuchi et al. Comp. A 38:12 (2007)
Krger et al. Comp. Struc. 79:4 (2007)
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