Small-scale feature removal in propeller inspection

Abstract

Range scanner inspection of manufactured artifacts like propeller blades produces data used to determine conformity to design. Inspection data contain both large- and small-scale feature information. Because small-scale feature information is irrelevant to analysis of large-scale features, determination of large-scale shape conformance is easier if small-scale information is removed. We discuss the combination of registration and smoothing methods that have been implemented in software for analysis of large-scale shape conformance of manufactured marine propeller blades. We show that although inspection systems produce errors and noise, we are able to create surfaces that accurately represent actual artifact large-scale features. To our knowledge the implementation of these methods has not been accomplished previously in an industrial inspection environment.