What Is an Industrial Endoscope?
An industrial endoscope is an instrument that allows observation of areas that cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as narrow spaces and winding pipes.
A camera is attached to the end of a long, thin probe. The camera is positioned on the part to be observed, and the inside of the part can be observed through the eyepiece, or images can be projected on a main monitor or PC for real-time observation of the inside of the part.
It is necessary to select an appropriate endoscope depending on the observation target, application, and operating environment, such as resolution, depth of focus, length of the probe and main unit, flexibility of the probe, number of light sources, and operable temperature range. There is also a function that allows video images to be recorded, which is useful for later confirmation and data management.
Furthermore, recent models of industrial endoscopes are equipped with a high-performance camera and LED light, which can provide clearer images.
Uses of Industrial Endoscopes
Industrial endoscopes are widely used in industrial fields, such as automobiles, aircraft, power plants, and infrastructure, such as gas and water supply.
1. Automotive, Aircraft, Railroad, and Marine Fields
Internal inspection of engines, hydraulic parts, injection nozzles, turbines, etc.
2. Electric Power Industry
Maintenance and inspection of condensers, piping, turbines, etc. in nuclear and thermal power plants
Civil engineering and construction
Maintenance of bridges, diagnosis of steel frames, observation of under floors and ceilings, etc.
Infrastructure
Inspection of rust, corrosion, blockage, etc. of piping in water and gas facilities
Principle of Industrial Endoscopes
An endoscope consists of three components: an illumination mechanism, a camera, and an image processing function. At the tip of the endoscope, a mirror surface or optical lens is placed, which transmits the image to the camera. An optical fiber cable protected by a rigid tube or flexible sheath is used to transmit light.
Endoscopes are used for nondestructive testing to evaluate the condition of internal components and structures, and images can be displayed in real time during the inspection.
They are extremely difficult to operate and must be operated by technicians with specialized training.
Types of Industrial Endoscopes
An industrial endoscope consists of a main body and a probe, some of which have a monitor, some of which can be connected to a PC, and some of which look through an eyepiece.
Industrial endoscope types include videoscopes, fiberscopes, and rigid endoscopes.
1. Videoscopes
A small dedicated camera is mounted on the tip of the videoscope’s probe, which enables real-time viewing on a dedicated display, smartphone, or other device. At the same time, still images can be taken, and some can measure the length of the object.
In addition to being waterproof, they can also be used to examine the inside of underwater equipment and piping.
2. Fiberscope
Fiberscopes are mainly used for nondestructive inspection and repair. They are characterized by the use of probes made from thousands to tens of thousands of flexible fibers.
Each fiberglass fiber collects light and provides an image through an eyepiece on the opposite side. Since each glass fiber acts as a camera, the resulting image reflects the shadow of the glass fiber’s honeycomb structure.
3. Rigid Mirror
The image obtained by the objective lens is transmitted by a relay lens. The probe part of the relay lens is a metal tube and cannot be bent. It is characterized by its simple structure and easy operation.
Rigid mirror endoscopes consist of a light source, optical fiber, lens, and camera, and are used in the medical field for surgery, treatment, and observation of lesion sites.
Features of Industrial Endoscopes
1. Many Functions
An industrial endoscope is equipped with a variety of useful functions. Some products allow zooming on the monitor, or have a temperature sensor and alarm function at the end of the camera cable.
Others have a hands-free microphone for saving audio and video, an ultra-bright white LED on the tip to set the brightness of the subject as desired, and a flash function using LEDs, making them useful devices for a wide range of applications. This is a convenient device that allows you to choose the functions that best suit your needs.
In addition, many products can output data to a PC or TV monitor, making it possible to share images with multiple people.
2. High Heat Resistance
Some industrial endoscope products have high heat resistance, which makes them suitable for observing the inside of pipes and machinery. For example, the temperature of automobile engine oil can sometimes greatly exceed 100°C, and it is desirable to use endoscopes with heat resistance of up to 200°C.