Automatic error recognition apparatus
First Claim
1. An automatic error recognition apparatus for automatically detecting and evaluating cracks in unitary objects during in-process testing by image recognition, the unitary objects being coated with a magnetic powder capable of fluorescence or with black powder which accumulates in any unitary cracks of the objects, the system comprising:
- a three-dimensional testing apparatus including image recording means for obtaining images of selected segments of a surface on at least two sides of the unitary objects,ultraviolet lamps for illuminating the unitary objects in conjunction with the recordation of the images by said image recording means such that in the images, any magnetic power or black powder accumulated in cracks in the unitary objects contrasts with the surfaces of the unitary objects,a robot for transferring the unitary objects into and from said testing apparatus such that when the unitary objects are in said testing apparatus, said robot holds the unitary objects in precise, preselected positions relative to said image recording means to enable said image recording means to obtain images of the selected surface segments on said at least two sides of the unitary objects, andimage processing means coupled to said image recording means for receiving the images of the selected surface segments on said at least two sides of the unitary objects from said image recording means, said image processing means comprising a computer structured and arranged to evaluate the images of the selected surface segments for the presence of cracks in the selected surface segments to thereby detect any cracks in the selected surface segments, said image processing means being coupled to said robot to control actions of said robot with respect to the transfer of the unitary objects from said testing apparatus based on the evaluation of the images of the selected surface segments by said image processing means.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and process for automatic error recognition for testing for tears in a magnetic-powder process during in-process control of image processing, whereby image recording units together with a downstream image processing unit evaluate areas with different optical characteristics from selected sample surface segments. In the process, a robot gasps at least one of the passing samples in precise position and brings the sample into a three-dimensional testing apparatus with image recording units arranged three-dimensionally, whereby the robot places the sample in precise position into the three-dimensional testing apparatus. The sample is then photographed by the image recording units which then transmit the obtained image information to a computer for evaluation. This computer is able to direct the robot accordingly based on its evaluation.
11 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An automatic error recognition apparatus for automatically detecting and evaluating cracks in unitary objects during in-process testing by image recognition, the unitary objects being coated with a magnetic powder capable of fluorescence or with black powder which accumulates in any unitary cracks of the objects, the system comprising:
-
a three-dimensional testing apparatus including image recording means for obtaining images of selected segments of a surface on at least two sides of the unitary objects, ultraviolet lamps for illuminating the unitary objects in conjunction with the recordation of the images by said image recording means such that in the images, any magnetic power or black powder accumulated in cracks in the unitary objects contrasts with the surfaces of the unitary objects, a robot for transferring the unitary objects into and from said testing apparatus such that when the unitary objects are in said testing apparatus, said robot holds the unitary objects in precise, preselected positions relative to said image recording means to enable said image recording means to obtain images of the selected surface segments on said at least two sides of the unitary objects, and image processing means coupled to said image recording means for receiving the images of the selected surface segments on said at least two sides of the unitary objects from said image recording means, said image processing means comprising a computer structured and arranged to evaluate the images of the selected surface segments for the presence of cracks in the selected surface segments to thereby detect any cracks in the selected surface segments, said image processing means being coupled to said robot to control actions of said robot with respect to the transfer of the unitary objects from said testing apparatus based on the evaluation of the images of the selected surface segments by said image processing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16)
-
-
7. In an apparatus for testing for the presence of cracks in unitary objects including image recording means for recording an image of a surface of each unitary object and image processing means for evaluating the recorded images of the surface of the unitary objects to determine the presence of cracks in the surface of the unitary objects, the unitary objects being coated with a magnetic powder capable of fluorescence or with black powder which accumulates in any unitary cracks of the objects the improvement comprising:
-
a three-dimensional framework comprising a plurality of modular components forming a plurality of modules in which a respective one of the unitary objects is positionable, said modules being assembled in a specific pattern in accordance with the geometry of the unitary objects being tested, said image recording means being arranged on said framework to obtain and record images of surfaces on at least two sides of the unitary objects and said image processing means being structured and arranged to evaluate the presence of cracks in the surfaces on said at least two sides of the unitary objects and thereby detect any cracks in the surface of the unitary objects, and ultraviolet lamps for illuminating the unitary objects in conjunction with the recordation of the images of surfaces on at least two sides of the unitary objects by said image recording means such that in the images, any magnetic power or black powder accumulated in cracks in the unitary objects contrasts with the surfaces of the unitary objects. - View Dependent Claims (8, 17, 18)
-
-
9. A process for automatic error recognition in checking for tears in surfaces of unitary objects, comprising the steps of:
-
grasping in precise position each of the unitary objects by means of a robot, conveying the unitary objects into a three-dimensional testing apparatus, coating the unitary objects with a magnetic powder such that the magnetic powder accumulates in any cracks in the unitary objects, recording images of surface segments on at least two sides of the unitary objects while the unitary objects are present in the testing apparatus, illuminating the unitary objects by means of ultraviolet lamps in conjunction with the recordation of the images of surface segments on at least two sides of the objects such that in the images, any magnetic power or black powder accumulated in cracks in the unitary objects contrasts with the surfaces of the unitary objects, processing the images of the unitary objects to evaluate the presence or absence of cracks in the surface segments on said at least two sides of the unitary objects, and controlling movement of the robot to transfer the unitary objects from the testing apparatus based on the evaluation of the presence or absence of cracks in the surface segments on said at least two sides of the unitary objects. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19)
-
Specification