Measuring the area depth profile automatically on the Mentor Visual iQ+ VideoProbe 

In this article:

• Explains how the Mentor Visual iQ+ VideoProbe automates area depth profile measurements by sweeping multiple depth slices to identify the highest or deepest point in an inspected area.
• Highlights typical use cases such as corrosion, erosion, pitting, FOD impact damage, weld height, and wear groove depth measurement.
• Shares best practices to improve accuracy, including correct cursor placement, use on suitable surface geometries, and leveraging the 3D Surface Mask for validation. 

What options are there for measuring the area depth profile automatically on the Mentor Visual iQ+ VideoProbe?

Sweeps a series of depth profile slices over an area defined by three cursors and identifies the profile slice having the highest or lowest point.

Example Applications:

• Corrosion, erosion and pitting
• FOD impact damage
• Maximum weld height including orbital welds
• Maximum wear groove depth

3D Surface Mask:

Each depth profile slice in the series uses a reference plane determined from the surface orientation at the slice endpoints. This allows curved surfaces, such as pipe walls to be followed. When enabled in Settings, the 3D Surface Mask shows surface points near the individual slice reference planes in green.

Best Practices to Improve Measurement Accuracy:

• Position the measurement tip as close as possible to the indication.
• Use with reference surfaces that are flat or have curvature in only one direction, such as a straight section of a pipe  Do not use on surfaces with complex curvatures such as a pipe elbow or turbine blade root at the leading or trailing edge.
• When measuring on a curved surface, position the cursors such that the reference profile lines are curved. If unsure of proper orientation, practice on a test piece of the same shape. When cursors are properly placed, you should get a result close to zero, and most of the area should be shown in green. See images.
• If only a small line of 3D Surface Mask green is shown near the two reference profile lines, the cursors are likely positioned incorrectly on a curved surface.
• The green Surface Mask visible when moving the cursors indicates points very close to the reference planes of the depth profile slices. If you only have a small line of green near the
  two reference profile lines, you are likely positioning the lines incorrectly on a curved surface. See images.
• The reference profile lines follow the surface curvature and are used to determine the reference planes for the profile slices. Position the cursors such that the reference profile lines are fully on the reference surface.
• Use the 3D point cloud to verify that the reference plane for the result slice, indicated by a blue square, is accurately aligned with the reference surface at the location of the result slice.
• The first two cursors define the first reference profile line. The third cursor sets the distance between the second reference profile line and the first. The system determines the endpoints of the second reference profile line to match the curvature of the surface along the first. If you have difficulty getting the second reference profile line where you want it, you are likely not setting up the measurement correctly with respect to surface curvature.
• The Depth Profile view may be used to help visualize the surface contours along the identified profile slice.