Patent US 7,394,530

The present invention describes a method and apparatus for the detection and measurement of surface imperfections within a predetermined size range, contained on the surface of a machined cast metal component. The invention provides a novel illumination and image acquisition technique that allows the inspection of large cast machined surfaces without movement of the component, sensor or illumination system during acquisition of an image. The invention allows for the inspection of large surfaces on objects up to 1,000 mm×650 mm in size. The inspection field of view can be divided in multiple regions, defined by computer aided design (CAD) model data. Each of these regions may apply a unique set of inspection criteria used for disposition of the component. Inspection regions generated using CAD drawings indicate exact position of features with respect to the manufacturing datum located on the surface and viewable as part of the acquired image.