Automated Inspection of Precision Gas Seals
A powerful table-top work station with microscopic precision.
The Challenge:
The challenge was to inspect the complete internal metal-to-metal sealing
surface bored into small, high-precision gas manifolds, 0.35 in. x 0.44 in.
(9 mm x 11mm) diameter . In order to meet specifications and pass inspection,
the sealing interface was to be ground to the specific surface finish and be
free of microscopic defects and contamination.
The Solution:
Newton engineers developed custom optics that focused the maximum amount of light into the small surface area of the port, allowing uniform and non-distorted view into the bore. Custom illumination highlighted defects on the mirror-like surface finish. When a defect in a unit was detected by the machine vision inspection system, the unit's image would display on a video screen for removal by an operator.
