An optical device includes: a substrate having a first surface, and a second surface opposite of the first surface; a plurality of surface emitting laser elements provided on the first surface of the substrate and configured to emit light in a direction intersecting the first surface; a plurality of optical elements disposed on the second surface so as to respectively correspond to the plurality of surface emitting laser elements; and an anti-reflection structure between the substrate and the plurality of optical elements.

An apparatus for optical inspection of sanitaryware includes: a supporting device configured to receive a piece of sanitaryware to be inspected; at least one camera, configured to capture a plurality of images of the piece of sanitaryware under inspection; an automatic arm, movable between a plurality of operating positions relative to the supporting device, wherein the at least one camera is mounted on the automatic arm; a control unit, configured to receive the plurality of images, wherein the control unit is configured to process the plurality of images as a function of reference data to provide diagnostic information regarding the defectiveness of the piece of sanitaryware.

The present invention relates to a sensor module for detecting unevenness of a surface, especially for detecting bulging and bowing of the pipe external surface. The sensor module comprises an arm assembly comprising an arm body having at least two ends, one or more surface contacting element mounted to at least one end of the arm body; a magnet assembly comprising at least one magnet to generate magnetic lines of force; and a magnetic sensor assembly comprising a magnetic sensor being assembled adjacent to the magnet for sensing changes in the magnetic lines of force in response to movement of the arm body. The invention also relates to an apparatus comprising the said sensor module and a method for detecting unevenness of a surface using the said sensor module.

Various examples include systems, apparatuses, and methods to perform an automated visual-inspection of components undergoing various stages of fabrication. In one example, an inspection system includes a number of robots, each having a camera, to inspect a component for defects at various stages of fabrication. Generally, each of the cameras is located at a different geographical location corresponding to the various stages in the fabrication of the component. At least some of the cameras are arranged to inspect all surfaces of the component that are not facing a table upon which the component is mounted. The system also includes a respective data-collection station electronically coupled to each the number of robots and an associated one of the cameras. A master data-collection station is electronically coupled to each of the data-collection stations. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.

A sensor interface module for an inspection robot includes a scissor lift for varied radial positioning of, and a universal sensor mount for mounting, a selected one of a plurality of different sensors. A visual inspection module for the robot includes an inspection unit for simultaneously visually inspecting a first surface facing a first direction and a spaced, second surface facing an opposing, second direction toward the first surface. The inspection unit includes a first visual sensor and a second visual sensor, each visual sensor facing in a direction different than the first and second directions. A first reflector reflects an image of the first surface to the first visual sensor, and a second reflector reflects an image of the second surface to the second visual sensor. A robot system may include the sensor interface module and the inspection unit.

A surface inspection apparatus includes an imaging device configured to image a surface of an object to be inspected, and a processor configured to: calculate a numerical value representing a quality of the surface by processing an image captured by the imaging device, and notify a user of information indicating a relationship between a first orientation of a pattern on the surface detected from the image and a second orientation that gives a direction of imaging in which a sensitivity of detection by the imaging device is high.

An inspection device includes a scanning device, a first recognition unit, and a second recognition unit. The scanning device includes a laser sensor that emits laser slit light for measuring a two-dimensional shape, and a movement mechanism that moves the laser sensor in a predetermined direction. The first recognition unit obtains three-dimensional shape data of an inspection object and a workpiece by associating a plurality of two-dimensional shape data obtained by the laser sensor with position data of the laser sensor at the time of measuring the two-dimensional shape. The second recognition unit derives a three-dimensional shape of the workpiece by obtaining a difference between first three-dimensional shape data indicating a three-dimensional shape before the workpiece is laminated on the mold and second three-dimensional shape data indicating a three-dimensional shape after the workpiece is laminated on the mold.

A surface defect inspection assembly that includes translation means configured to move a part in an advance direction in a first axis. The assembly also includes a structure that supports at least one mobile inspection head that is used for inspecting the surface of the part. The mobile inspection head including a light emitter configured to emit at least one light profile on the part and means for receiving the light reflected by the part. The assembly also includes a control unit that is configured to process the reflected light and to determine if a detect exists in the surface of the part. The control unit is additionally configured to activate one or more motors to move the mobile inspection head in response to the light reflected by the part while the translation means is moved in the advance direction, orienting the light profile towards the part.

A method, system and devices for optical structural health monitoring that implements digital image correlation (DIC) by applying an invisible pattern comprising a random dot pattern and/or codes, which is applied using a coating containing a dye or substance that is not visible during the normal lighting conditions. The structure is imaged at different time intervals by capturing images of the pattern and codes using a camera and suitable light source. The captured images of the pattern and codes are stored in a CAD file that represents the structure or part to which the pattern and codes are applied, and includes the locations of the pattern and codes. Comparative measurements of the pattern and codes (e.g., using DIC) determine one or more structural health parameters, such as strain, deformation, and other stresses or averse conditions that may be detected from one interval to another (e.g., between measurements).

A self-calibrating inspection system includes an inspection device adapted to visually inspect or measure an article placed on a carrier, and a motion actuator moving the inspection device along a predetermined motion trajectory relative to the carrier and the article placed thereon. A correction member of the system is fixedly positioned with respect to the carrier. A distance sensor is fixedly positioned relative to the inspection device and adapted to sense a first spacing between the distance sensor and the correction member during the movement of the inspection device by the motion actuator. A controller communicates with the motion actuator and the distance sensor for determining a deviation between an actual motion trajectory of the inspection device moved by the motion actuator and the predetermined motion trajectory based on the first spacing, and to control the motion actuator based on the deviation to move the inspection device along a path substantially consistent with the predetermined motion trajectory.