Aerospace

German-based software developer Eye Vision has added a thread inspector tool to its machine vision software suite to detect the defects in fastener threads.

Designed for versatility and easy integration, the software supports 1D, 2D, 3D, thermal, and hyperspectral imaging, as well as featuring Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning algorithms. The software is hardware independent, so it will work with virtually any camera, provided it has at least 2 MegaPixel resolution. 

The thread inspector inspects each thread by segmenting the images of the threads into sections to measure such key details as pitch distance – the distance between the same point on two adjacent threads; thread angle – the included angle between a thread’s helix and a plane perpendicular to the axis of the thread; major diameter – the largest diameter of a thread; and minor diameter – the smallest diameter of a thread. Because the software is essentially turnkey, hardware components are chosen based on what is most appropriate for the inspection system.

Michael Beising, CEO at EVT Eye Vision Technology GmbH, comments: “In industries such as automotive, electronics, and aerospace, the quality of threading is critical and there is no room for error when it comes to items such as fasteners, bolts, and other such threaded parts; even very minor flaws can render them useless. For example, in the automotive industry, incorrect threads during engine production can cause serious damage or even render the engine unusable. In this case, thread testing is very helpful in avoiding costly rejects.”

Traditionally, inspections of such items, especially the threading of fasteners, have been performed by human inspectors. However, the quality of inspection is often dependent on the skill and experience level of the individual performing the inspection, as well as other factors, such as overall working and environmental conditions. Consequently, the manual inspection process is error prone.

The thread inspector tool is designed so that an integrator can develop a high-speed automated inspection system that not only handles the mundane and repetitive aspects that can make manual thread inspection more difficult for human inspectors, but also performs the inspection with 100% accuracy, as well as store, curate and distribute inspection results.