Borescope FAQ

A borescope (occasionally called a boroscope, though this spelling is non-standard) is an optical device consisting of a rigid or flexible tube with an eyepiece on one end, an objective lens on the other linked together by a relay optical system in between. The optical system in some instances is surrounded by optical fibers used for illumination of the remote object. An internal image of the illuminated object is formed by the objective lens and magnified by the eyepiece, which presents it to the viewers eye. Rigid or flexible borescopes may be fitted with an imaging or video device.

A video borescope or "inspection camera" is similar to the flexible borescope but uses a miniature video camera at the end of the flexible tube. The end of the insertion tube includes a light, which makes it possible to capture video or still images deep within equipment, engines and other dark spaces. As a tool for remote visual inspection the ability to capture video or still images for later inspection is a huge benefit. A display in the handle shows the camera view, and the viewing position can be changed via a joystick control or similar controls. Because the complex optical waveguide is replaced with an inexpensive electrical cable, video borescopes can be much less costly and potentially better resolution (depending on the specifications of the camera).

A flexible borescope includes a bundle of optical fibers which divide the image into pixels. It is also known as a fiberscope and can be used to access cavities which are around a bend, such as a combustion chamber or "burner can", in order to view the condition of the compressed air inlets, turbine blades and seals without disassembling the engine.

Flexible borescopes suffer from pixelation and pixel crosstalk due to the fiber image guide. Image quality varies widely among different models of flexible borescopes depending on the number of fibers and construction used in the fiber image guide. Some high end borescopes offer a "visual grid" on image captures to assist in evaluating the size of any area with a problem. For flexible borescopes, articulation mechanism components, range of articulation, field of view and angles of view of the objective lens are also important. Fiber content in the flexible relay is also critical to provide the highest possible resolution to the viewer. Minimal quantity is 10,000 pixels while the best images are obtained with higher numbers of fibers in the 15,000 to 22,000 range for the larger diameter borescopes. What we provide is 300,000 pixels in our Borescopes. The ability to control the light at the end of the insertion tube allows the borescope user to make adjustments that can greatly improve the clarity of video or still images.

Depending upon the application for the flexible borescope, it may be advisable to have a battery operated, portable borescope as opposed to a borescope with a conventional power cord.

It allows a technician to conduct a visual inspection of an area that otherwise could not be seen with the unaided human eye. For any technician working on complex machinery or equipment, being able to look inside and inspect small or remote internal areas is a huge advantage. When we consider the financial costs and potential loss of life that can occur with the sudden failure of any component or system, becomes not just an advantage but an absolute necessity.

Borescoping is like having an eye at the end of a cable. NDT is being able to inspect something without changing the actual structure of what you’re inspecting. You have something that’s small enough to get inside small access areas like a screw hole that brings you inside of a frame. We have technology like articulation so you can navigate a cable through some pretty difficult small areas. With every type of instrument there is for NDT, nothing beats actually being able to see it. Whether it’s a video with a camera, or going more old school with a fiberscope, you see what you need to see. You can get a lot of tools to get you different readings, but in the end nothing beats having somebody looking at it.

• Aircraft Turbines
• Airframe Inspections
• Bearings & Gearboxes
• Chemical Processing machinery
• Co-Gen Plants
• Corrosion
• Down-Hole Motors / PC Pumps
• Electronic Assemblies
• Heat Exchangers and Boilers
• Heavy Equipment Maintenance
• HVAC and Mechanical equipments
• Land-Based Turbines
• Large Diesel Engines
• Metal Castings
• Military / EOD / Law Enforcement
• Mining & Exploration Maintenance
• Nuclear Power plants
• Oil & Gas Maintenance
• Paper Mills
• Power Gen
• Pumps & Valves
• Reciprocating Engines
• Refineries

These products do have internal storage and the storage capacity can be increased using the SD Card. The pictures and videos of the observed subject can be stored in the memory. The pictures can be stored in .jpeg format, while the videos are stored in MP4, AVI, 3GP, ASF formats. Using USB Connection the data can be transferred to the PC.

Standard size flexible gooseneck tubing with varying degrees of rigidity and bending radius. This gives you un-hindered access to hard to reach places, allowing you to see the areas normally can not be seen by human eye. Allowing you to bend the tubing of the borescope in the desired manner and holding that shape for precise viewing.

What is Depth of Fieldis the amount of distance between the nearest and the farthest objects that appear in acceptable sharp focus. Also known as Focus Range ‘or’ Effective Focus Range

There are three major problems that you could face in this instrument:

• Space constraint to insect the probe to access the inspection area.
• The length requirement of the probe to access the inspection area.
• Dark environment where the inspection needs to be done.

Space constraint

The minimum area we require to insert the probe is 4.5mm. The various probe sizes available are 4.5mm dia, 5.5 mm dia, 9mm dia and 17mm dia. The 17mm Dia is the standard probe provided with the instrument, rest all of them are optional.

Length Requirement

The length of the probe camera can be increased. The standard probe provided is 1m long, however, the length can go as long as 7m and can be customized at extra cost, as per the requirement of the customer.

Dark environment

To access dark areas, around the camera white LED light is provided so that taking pictures / videos of dark areas is easily done.

1. You can store the picture / video on the SD Card provided with the instrument.
2. You can also connect the instrument to a TV for live viewing.
3. The instrument can also be connected directly to the PC via USB Interface.
4. You can zoom onto the inspection area and if required you can do a 180 degree rotation as well of the picture being displayed.
5. The instrument can be programmed for auto power off .
6. It has re-chargeable battery and USB connected battery charger.
7. The images are stored with the system date and time stamp.

Mirror – Used to get access to places where the borescope camera cannot physically reach. To access around corner areas.

Hook – Is used to remove the wires and cables or obstructions coming in front of the Gooseneck camera

Magnet – Used to remove metallic objects coming out of the machines or parts, which is under observation through the borescope.