3D Optical Defectoscope System

To address the NAVAIR need for a cost-effective nondestructive evaluation system to facilitate high-rate, high-precision inspection of hybrid ceramic bearings, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to complete the development of a new 3D Optical Defectoscope (3DOD) system. POC developed two system prototypes: imaging and integrating. The imaging prototype exploits polarization shearographics. The integrating prototype utilizes the confocal tomography principle. In Phase I we developed and demonstrated a 3DOD prototype operating in visible light. Detection of defects with resolution better than 10 microns within a surface layer 200 microns deep was demonstrated. We also demonstrated penetration of infrared light through a silicon nitride plate 1 mm thick. In Phase II, we will optimize 3DOD system prototypes for operation in the infrared spectrum, make 3DOD easily adjustable for inspection of balls with diameters from 1/2 in. to 1-1/8 in., and will develop and fabricate a handling module for fast, fully automatic inspection. The Phase II 3DOD system will meet NAVAIR’s prescribed probability of detection (POD) requirements for defects of critical sizes.