Patent ID: 7764823

Claim:
A system for the automatic in-line detection of cracks in components made by stamping: a support structure for supporting each component from an underside thereof as it resides at an inspection location; one or more first lighting devices located and oriented to direct the output thereof at said underside of said component and through gaps in said support structure; an infrared illuminating or light reflecting surface on a top surface of said support structure; one or more second lighting devices located and oriented to direct the output thereof at least partially at said illuminating or light reflecting top surface of said support structure so as to illuminate the underside of an overlying portion(s) of said component; one or more image detectors for imaging said component from a top side as it is simultaneously illuminated from said underside by said lighting devices; and a processor in communication with software and collectively operable to compare one or more images of said component with one or more master images; wherein light from the underside of said component will be transferred through or be visible through any cracks therein; and wherein cracks are detectable as a difference between a current image and a corresponding master image.