Patent ID: 6963396

Claim:
A hole inspection system for inspecting complex holes extending between an outer surface of a wall of a structure and an inner surface forming a cavity in the structure, each of the complex holes having an outer portion having a larger cross-sectional area adjacent the outer surface and a smaller cross-sectional area within the wall, and each of the complex holes having an inner portion extending between the smaller cross-sectional area and an inlet opening on the inner surface of the cavity, the hole inspection system comprising: a light source emitting light over its length and adapted to be inserted in the cavity and provide light through the complex holes; a multi-axes machine having a camera mounted thereon, the camera having a lens and being movable by the machine to inspection positions at which the lens is substantially centered over a respective complex hole; and a control connected to the multi-axes machine and the camera and being operable to cause the multi-axes machine to move the camera to successive inspection positions, the control processing substantially only light intensity values representing light shining through a complex hole associated with a respective inspection position.