Modern Video Borescope Cameras for Remote Visual Inspection Work
The invention of the borescope was obviously a significant achievement in the effort to improve methods of non-destructive testing and inspections. Although the rigid Borescope was already a fantastic tool for the gunsmithing trade, the rigid Borescope had fairly limited value for commercial and industrial remote visual inspection. The rigid Borescope simply did not have the functionalities which are necessary to do internal inspections on large equipment, engines, structures and helicopter turbines or jet engine turbines. These items are too big, and rarely present you with a straight view (access), to get a36” rigid borescope to be of use. The borescope's most effective developments, for commercial and industrial use, came in the latter part of the 20th century.
Industrial non-destructive testing and commercial remote visual inspection invariably presents situations where the human head cannot fit to check out problems, wear or conditions of systems or components. Companies like Olympus, Machida and RF System Lab developed Borescopes that would provide exceptional viewing functionalities for industrial and commercial inspections. Some of the improvements include fully articulating insertion tubes that allow for nearly 360 degree viewing angles, adjustable lighting which enables improved quality of video and still image captures, insertion tube lengths that range between approximately three to ten feet, and portable models that happen to be battery powered.
Fiber optic camera systems for the modern, high-end borescope are now allowing for color videos, still image captures, and recording videos on removable cards. This allows inspection teams to analyze videos in offices, send inspection videos to other offices, and upload videos to computers to assist with archived maintenance records. Additionally, still image captures can easily be printed for file information, or easy e-mailing attached to inspection reports. All video borescope cameras provide for the user to view the item being inspected while the inspection is conducted. This is done with either a built-in LCD screen or cables for connecting the borescope into a video monitor.
Because many inspection teams must journey to remote sites, or manage equipment throughout a large facility it is very important to have a lightweight and portable borescope. Most Borescopes need to have a traditional power supply to plug in an electrical cord which limits portability. The VJ-Advance <a href="http://www.rfsystemlab.us" target="_blank" title="Borescope">borescope</a> manufactured by RF System Lab weighs only 23 ounces, and is a battery operated borescope, which does provide for easy travel and operation virtually anywhere.
Most industrial and commercial Borescopes are designed to withstand the shock and rougher treatment you would expect within a factory, field inspection, aviation maintenance facility, or power plant. As with all electrical products, a bore scope will eventually be in need of repair or replacement. The cost of a new high-end video borescope, designed for industrial or heavy commercial applications, runs from approximately $10,000 to $50,000 depending upon options and specifications. Borescope repair costs can on occasion be just as much as 50-75% of the borescope's original cost. In some cases, it may make sense to buy a new borescope which costs under it would to repair an old borescope with outdated technology. A great way to find out which is perfect for your needs is to ask about a demo borescope to try before you order a brand new borescope or pay to repair an old borescope.
