Photography Path Planning for Faster Surface Defect Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inspection methods using photography devices to detect defects on surfaces are inefficient due to prolonged movement and attitude adjustment times between photography points, necessitating a solution to quickly cover the inspection target range.
Innovation Solution
A processing device calculates optimal photography points and paths for a photography unit, minimizing movement and adjustment costs by analyzing paths that pass through all points, using shape data and normal vectors to determine efficient positions and attitudes for defect inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the photography device moves between multiple photography points and adjusts attitude at each point to ensure proper imaging angle, then defect inspection coverage is improved, but inspection time increases due to prolonged movement and adjustment durations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates optimal photography points and movement paths before inspection begins. By using shape data and normal vectors of the inspection object, the processing device determines in advance the sequence of photography points and the attitude adjustments needed at each point, eliminating real-time decision delays and enabling smoother, faster movement between points
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the photography device's movement speed and attitude adjustment timing based on pre-calculated path characteristics. By analyzing the movement path in advance, the system can optimize velocity profiles to minimize total inspection time while ensuring proper imaging angles are achieved at each photography point
2Reliability
If the photography device is moved to multiple photography points to cover the inspection target range, then inspection completeness is improved, but movement time between points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device pre-calculates the optimal sequence and positions of photography points based on the inspection object's shape data. This advance planning identifies the minimum necessary points to achieve complete coverage and determines the most efficient path connecting them, reducing unnecessary movements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses shape data (a digital copy or representation of the inspection object's geometry) to simulate and optimize the inspection path before actual execution. This allows virtual testing of different photography point sequences and movement paths to identify the fastest route that ensures complete coverage
3Measurement precision
If the attitude of the photography device is adjusted at each photography point to maintain proper imaging angle, then image quality is improved, but adjustment time accumulates across multiple points
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates the required attitude (orientation) at each photography point based on the surface normal vectors and imaging geometry. By determining all attitude adjustments in advance, the system can smooth the transition paths and coordinate movement with attitude changes, reducing idle adjustment time at each point
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously adjusts the photography device's attitude during movement between points rather than making discrete stops for adjustment. By maintaining continuous motion and making smooth, coordinated attitude transitions, the system eliminates idle time at photography points while still achieving proper imaging angles
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a processing device relating to an inspection of an inspection object by a photography unit is provided. A processor of the processing device calculates a plurality of photography points as positions photographing the inspection object based on shape data in which a shape of a surface of the inspection object is indicated by a point group, and information relating to a position and a normal vector on the surface of the inspection object is defined by the point group. The processor executes analysis regarding a path that passes through all of the calculated photography points and minimizes a sum of a movement cost from each of the photography points to a photography point of a next movement destination, and calculates a path corresponding to an analysis result as a path for moving the photography unit.