3D Optical Defectoscope System

To address the Navy 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 develop a new 3D Optical Defectoscope (3DOD) system based on shearing of scattered light from defects of ceramic elements. The 3DOD performs precision 3D mapping of surface and subsurface defects in ceramic elements at a high operation rate. Innovative implementation of shearography, polarization control, and new optical design, all of these make 3DOD applicable for inspection of ceramic surface features. Implementation of shearography, which is a proven NDE method, offers robustness against environmental disturbances, optical alignment, and high sensitivity to detect defects with a resolution of 0.2 microns. The 3D defect measurement provides high detection probability, with very low false negative and false positive rates. The 3DOD design includes fiber optic bundles and a universal handling module that makes it applicable for both rolling and ball ceramic elements. In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the 3DOD prototype by 3D defect mapping for ceramic rolling elements. In Phase II, POC plans to develop an automated prototype for inspection of ceramic ball bearings.