Automated visual inspection of aircraft engine combustor assemblies

This research is concerned with the feasibility of automated visual inspection of holes drilled in aircraft engine combustor assemblies. Using a digital image processor and necessary optics, combustor assemblies were examined, and scanned images were processed for analysis such as hole areas and diameters. The limitations of the automated visual inspection system including its accuracy and repeatability, were determined. Experimental results were compared with reference data for a non-coated combustor sample. The results indicate that these automated visual inspection methods produce reasonable results for the feasibility of their use in the inspection of aircraft engine combustor assemblies.