Industrial videoscopes continue to improve with advanced features like high-resolution imaging and stereo measurement. While these advancements help inspectors obtain more accurate RVI measurements, this accuracy still relies on one thing—how precisely the inspector picks their reference and measurement points. So, how can inspectors confidently select the correct points? The answer lies in 3D modeling.

1. 1
Benefits of 3D Visualization
for High-Resolution Video
Measurement
Charles Janecka

2. Agenda
1. Overview of stereo measurement
2. The importance of 3D modeling
3. The 3D modeling process
4. 3D modeling features
The IPLEX™ NX videoscope

3. 1. The dual lenses create two images on the CCD
2. The same point is matched in each image
3. The lenses are offset from each other at a known
distance
4. X, Y, and Z values are then calculated
Overview of Stereo Measurement
The stereo image process

4. 1. Large field of view (FOV)
2. Deeper depth of field
3. Multi-spot ranging
Benefits of Stereo Measurement The larger FOV and deeper
depth of field enable you to
measure defects from farther
away.
Multi-spot ranging
provides the tip-to-
target distance for
multiple points on
the inspection
surface.
An area with green
numbers will yield
more precise
measurements.

5. 1. Distance
2. Point-to-line
3. Depth
5 Types of Stereo Measurement

6. • 4. Lines
• 5. Area
5 Types of Stereo Measurement

7. 1. One-to-one matching
2. Higher accuracy
3. Measure from farther away
Benefits of HD/Wide Stereo Measurement

8. The Importance of 3D Modeling

9. 1. Better understand your target
2. See the entire image at a glance
3. Feel more confident in your point selection
4. Minimize the need to remeasure
5. Perform faster inspections
The Importance of 3D Modeling

10. The 3D Modeling Process

11. Step 1: All-point matching
Step 2: Noise reduction and smoothing
Step 3: Polygon mesh
Step 4: Texture mapping
The 3D Modeling Process

12. 3D Modeling Features

13. • Challenge: It is difficult to
understand the real shape of the
target
3D Modeling Features: Rotating 3D Model
Edge of an aircraft turbine blade

14. • Challenge: It is difficult to understand
the real shape of the target
• Switch to the 3D model
3D Modeling Features: Rotating 3D Model
3D model of the blade

15. • Challenge: It is difficult to
understand the real shape of the
target
• Switch to the 3D model
• Rotate to see the shape of the
blade edge
3D Modeling Features: Rotating 3D Model
Rotated 3D model clearly shows the shape of the blade edge

16. • Challenge: It is difficult to understand
the real shape of the target
• Switch to the 3D model
• Rotate to see the shape of the blade
edge
• Use as an aid while measuring
3D Modeling Features: Rotating 3D Model
Point-to-line measurement of the blade edge. The 3D model (right)
shows the shape of the blade edge, making it easier to confirm the
measurement points.

17. • Challenge: It is difficult to understand
the real shape of the target
• Switch to the 3D model
• Rotate to see the shape of the blade
edge
• Use as an aid while measuring
3D Modeling Features: Rotating 3D Model
Enlarged and rotated 3D model (right) shows the measurement is
halfway through the blade. As a result, you can confidently confirm
your points.

18. 1. Challenge: Blades or stators
block your field of view (FOV)
3D Modeling Features: Slicing
Stereo image of a gouge. The stator blade (red circle) blocks your view.

19. • Challenge: Blades or stators block
your field of view (FOV)
• Solution: Slicing mode helps you
remove unwanted objects from your
view
3D Modeling Features: Slicing
The unwanted stator blade

20. • Challenge: Blades or stators block
your field of view (FOV)
• Solution: Slicing mode helps you
remove unwanted objects from your
view
• Slicing mode (S) removes the stator
blade
3D Modeling Features: Slicing
The stator blade has been removed

21. • Challenge: Blades or stators block your
field of view (FOV)
• Solution: Slicing mode helps you remove
unwanted objects from your view
• Slicing mode (S) removes the stator blade
• The profile of the 3D model helps you
confirm the measurement points are in the
right place
3D Modeling Features: Slicing
The profile of the 3D model (right) provides a distinct line on
the edge of the target

22. • What is depth mapping?
• As the name implies, depth mapping
helps you see differences in depth at
a glance by visually mapping it out
with colors
3D Modeling Features: Depth Mapping
Image of a weld

23. 1. Each color corresponds to a
distance
3D model of a weld with depth mapping. Dark green: Area
closest to the tip. Dark red: area farthest from the tip.
3D Modeling Features: Depth Mapping

24. 1. Each color corresponds to a
distance
2. Initial mode is tip to target
3D Modeling Features: Depth Mapping

25. 1. Each color corresponds to a distance
2. Initial mode measures tip to target
distance
3. Secondary mode measures
distance relative to a reference
plane
3D Modeling Features: Depth Mapping

26. • Challenge: Difficult to evaluate
undercuts in weld inspections
• Undercut is a groove melted into
the base metal at the weld toe
Evaluating an undercut in a weld inspection. Left: Stereo image of
a weld, right: 3D model.
3D Modeling Features: Depth Mapping

27. • Challenge: Difficult to evaluate
undercuts in weld inspections
• Undercut is a groove melted into the
base metal at the weld toe
• Solution: Color-coded visuals from
depth mapping makes it easy to spot
the undercut
Evaluating an undercut in a weld inspection. Green: in line with reference
plane (ref) defined by the triangle. Red: below the plane (undercut).
3D Modeling Features: Depth Mapping

28. Olympus, the Olympus logo, and IPLEX are trademarks of Olympus Corporation or its subsidiaries.