ISSN:
1433-3015
Keywords:
Automated inspection
;
Forged pressure vessels
;
Image processing
;
Laser interferometry
;
Non-contact inspection
;
Region growing based image processing
;
Ultrasonics
;
Vision systems
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Abstract The objective of this paper is to document part of a collaborative research program undertaken by the Centre for Computer Integrated Manufacture (CIM Centre) at Swinburne University of Technology in Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia and Australian Defence Industries (ADI) Ltd in the field of “non-contact inspection”. This research program is one of two collaborative programs between the CIM Centre and ADI Ltd, related to inspecting the quality of components in an automated fashion, without the use of contacting sensors. There are a number of techniques currently being investigated at the CIM Centre, including lasers, vision, acoustic emission and X-ray based methods. This particular paper focuses on the research work undertaken by the first author in the detection of internal surface defects in forged, hollow cylindrical workpieces. The case study presented for consideration and discussion herein is related to the detection of cavity defects in forged pressure vessels. The paper provides a background into the range of alternative non-contact inspection techniques that are available (including lasers, ultrasonics, etc.) and the reasons why some of these failed to provide the functionality that was offered by the vision approach ultimately adopted. There is nothing unique about the application of vision systems in the detection of surface defects. However, in this research program, a number of factors have considerably complicated the application. These include lighting problems and the difficulties encountered in acquiring images within a confined cylindrical space. This paper documents the techniques that have been used to resolve some of these practical image acquisition and processing problems and the relative merits of each approach. The paper also examines some of the algorithmic problems involved in detection of particular surface anomalies in components through a range of techniques and concludes that the one most suited to the surfaces in the pressure vessel case-study is the so-called “region-growing” approach.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01341563
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