Vision Systems Inspect/Inspect Internal Passageways in Castings

摘要

One of the big advantages of casting complex parts is the ability to use coring to form internal passageways through a complex design when molten metal is poured into a mold. Before machining it, the foundry usually must confirm that there is no blockage in the passageways. An innovative approach to performing this necessary step with lost-foam-cast aluminum engine blocks has been devised by Rogers Associates Machine Tool Corp. , a developer of special-purpose systems. RAMTC has applied its Adaptavision technology, which involves machine vision techniques to the task of inspecting casting interiors. The system checks 10 oil passageways for blockage, using "smart" cameras, a lighting system, and machine vision software. It checks not only straight-through passageways, but also several blind-through passageways.