In this post, we will clarify the various applications for borescopes, and show you how to choose a borescope properly that will work best for you so you can come to know how to select a borescope in the right way.
A rigid or flexible tube with an eyepiece or digital display (with an integrated LCD or computer/device) on one end. Its objective lens or camera, on the other, connected by an optical or electrical system in between, makes up a borescope, an optical device. This instrument is also referred to as a video copy or an inspection camera. Inaccessible areas can use these tools to measure and detect flaws and irregularities. Borescopes are excellent substitutes for measurement techniques that necessitate costly, laborious, or damaging dismounting operations. When it comes to inspecting diesel, truck, automobile, steam, aero-derivative industrial gas turbines, and aircraft engines, borescopes are a great instrument. In light of this, what should you watch out for when buying a borescope? Now, let’s learn more!
A Synopsis of Borescope’s History
Even though vision is arguably the most important sense utilized in auto diagnosis and repair, more is needed to view the whole picture in all situations. To solve this problem, scientists and machinists have created a number of new technologies, one of which is the borescope. In reality, the medical field used the first borescope, known as an endoscope. To view the inner organs during surgical procedures, doctors required accurate devices with thin tubes and improved vision. With time, aviation mechanics came to understand how medical endoscopes were used in their systems. They started introducing them gradually to their own regular upkeep and diagnostic tasks. Advanced features like articulation, small probe sizes, or picture and video recording, made possible by recent technical advancements, help technicians even more when doing inspections. These advancements facilitate quicker root cause analysis, save time and effort through direct visual examination, and facilitate picture and video communication between technicians. To find the problem, you no longer have to disassemble components. Borescopes are becoming the standard tool for automobile and aircraft inspections because of their increased affordability and robust design.
What Use Does a Borescope Have?
Borescopes are useful for seeing into spaces that are typically inaccessible to the unaided eye, or that would otherwise need to be destroyed or disassembled in order to identify an issue. Put simply, borescoping is a cheap, labor-saving method of problem diagnosis that is occasionally necessary. Borescopes are utilized in a wide range of sectors and applications, including HVAC, plumbing, automotive, industrial, aviation, and house inspection, in addition to simple home problem diagnosis.
Types of Borescope-
USB Digital Borescope: This type of borescope has a USB port and Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling users to view content on their computers or phones as a monitor. In lieu of a physical display that is fixed to the borescope, users’ smartphones operate as a substitute. This facilitates the downloading of photos and videos and frequently opens the door to more sophisticated features (which are available on the app needed to run this technology).
Borescope with Integrated LCD Screen: A borescope featuring an integrated LCD screen for viewing without the need for an additional device. An articulating borescope can rotate fully, making it ideal for use in tight spaces. The fact that each of these borescopes can operate in a variety of settings is highly advantageous for those in the automotive services sector. A broad array of borescopes is required to guarantee both the effective completion of work and the duration of the instrument’s life, as technicians frequently confront many different obstacles.
Dual Camera Borescope: By just pressing a button, users of a borescope equipped with two distinct camera lenses can transition between two different viewpoints, such as side and front views. With the use of such technology, fewer 90- or 180-degree articulating tips are required, which is advantageous in situations where such movement is restricted or impossible.
Wireless Borescope: A borescope that has been fitted with a wireless transmitter, such as an RF or Wi-Fi transmitter, to transmit live video to a display device and receiver, like a smartphone or LCD monitor.
Joystick Borescope: A joystick is used to control the pivoting probe in a joystick-operated articulating video scope. Typically, the joystick has 360-degree articulation, often known as all-direction steering or all-way angulation.
Before deciding which borescope is best for you, keep the following points in mind:
Examine the Inspection Camera’s Size
The inspection camera’s size is important in particular circumstances. Larger borescopes are less easy to use but frequently yield crisper images. Because they are more convenient to use, smaller borescopes are preferable when measuring smaller regions. Lower image quality and a lack of technology are the trade-offs.
Select Contemporary Lighting Technology
To examine the dark areas within a cavity, you will require some lighting. Select high-quality borescopes with fiber optic illumination to prevent contamination and heating issues caused by incandescent lamps and bulbs. Glass fibers in this kind of lighting distribute light from an external light source. After that, the light passes through the borescope and reaches the working end. This is an essential function that your borescope needs to have if you want to operate more safely, effectively, and conveniently while doing your work.
The Effect of Magnification
Operators of a high-quality borescope don’t need to refocus frequently. Its reach ought to be nearly infinite. A straightforward rule that applies to both flexible and rigid borescopes can be used to calculate magnification: the level of magnification increases with object proximity to the lens.
The Perspective
Hard-to-reach regions are those with valves close to spark plug holes (automotive engines). An inverted 120° borescope makes it easier to inspect these regions. Borescopes with varied angles are something you should look for based on the jobs you will be measuring. You can examine every side of a cavity by shifting your field of view or direction of vision.
Ease of Inflexibility
Borescopes come in two primary varieties: flexible and rigid. Usually, it is dependent on the tube’s shape. The line connecting the eyepiece and lens of flexible borescopes, whether they are articulating or non-articulating, is usually made of elastic material. Conversely, rigid borescopes have the stationary form of the tube. This makes them an excellent option for measuring objects like fuel injectors, cylinders, firearms, and hydraulics.
Select the Proper Length and Diameter
Your objective is to measure or inspect the area as effectively as possible. You must select a device with the right diameter and length. Shorter tubes are typically more exact, but longer lines can cover a greater area. Narrower diameter camera tips enable more biased area investigation. You get the idea.
Screen Display:
The real-time visual display of images. There are now three primary methods for displaying a screen on a borescope: wireless via a Wi-Fi signal, LCD screen, and USB. To view photos, USB borescopes need to be connected via a USB wire to a PC or other external screen. Similar to USB borescopes, wireless borescopes operate by clicking on an external device via a Wi-Fi signal rather than a USB cord on a computer, phone, or tablet. However, borescopes that come with built-in LCD screens don’t need any further hardware to function.
Visual:
A lot of the probes available now can take digital pictures, and some even have features for recording videos. Suppose you wish to share these files with others. In that case, having the ability to move and transfer photos or video clips to a computer is another benefit of devices with removable media cards.
Ingress Protection:
The camera probe must be waterproof or water-resistant for certain applications. Without a doubt, moisture can harm electrical parts like cameras. When selecting a scope for your particular application, take this into account.
Cost: Today’s borescopes range in price from $30 for really cheap cameras from online retailers to tens of thousands of dollars for more expensive models. When purchasing a scope, try to choose a comfortable range that doesn’t compromise on quality or price.
In summary
Selecting the appropriate borescope necessitates specialized expertise and a cautious mindset. Anticipate every obstacle that could arise during the examination in order to choose the tool that will ease your task and offer the highest performance. When purchasing a borescope, try to choose a comfortable price range that doesn’t compromise on quality or affordability. By doing this, you can be sure you’re getting the most for your money.