Bolt threads: inspect the thread surface with a blue ring light
The source image shows a hex bolt standing on its head under a blue ring light, seen at an angle. The thread crests are bright bands with dark roots between them, and the cut end face is visible on top.
Ring light turns the thread into regular bright bands, so damage shows as a break.
Manufacturer test image
- Light in sourceLS-RNG-0801 · blue
- EvidenceManufacturer test image
- Imaging kitCamera, lens and fixture proposed
- AcceptanceValidate on representative parts
Explore it in 3D
Camera and available lens CAD are published models. Lens and light envelopes use printed dimensions. The linked station uses its published base size and column height; carriage, brackets, fittings, parts and spacing are illustrative. Confirm load, travel, fasteners and clearances before ordering. Light paths explain the arrangement and do not simulate optical performance. Representative part geometry is illustrative, not reconstructed inspection evidence. The specimen and lighting distance are representative, not dimensions or settings recovered from the source capture.
Lighting manufacturer's application test image
What the camera saw
Images from the manufacturer's application test, cropped; the original annotations are kept and nothing is generated or enhanced. Drag a comparison slider, or open any image full size.
The challenge
Thread damage such as flattened crests, burrs or missing turns sits on a curved, repeating metal surface.
Bright highlights on the crests and dark roots make small defects hard to see under a single direct light.
How it was solved
The source identifies the blue 74 mm ring light, 60° beam angle, for thread defect inspection.
View the bolt with the proposed monochrome camera so each crest forms a bright band, then look for breaks in the band pattern. The source does not name its camera, lens or viewing angle, and the capture shows only the side facing the camera.
Why it works
- 1
The ring lights the crests evenly around the bolt, so the crests repeat as regular bright bands and the roots stay dark.
- 2
A damaged crest breaks that regular pattern; a full check needs the bolt rotated or several views, because one image shows only one side.
Lighting manufacturer's application test image
Evidence you can inspect
Regular bright crests and dark roots run up the shank; the end face on top shows a rough texture.
The source captions the example thread defect inspection and identifies the blue ring light.
One oblique source capture of one side. No bolt size, defect example, pitch measurement or detection rate is supplied.
From image contrast to a production decision
What to validate on your part
- 01
Prepare defect samples
Include bolts with flattened crests, burrs, missing thread and coating marks.
- 02
Cover the circumference
Plan rotation or several cameras so every side of the thread is imaged.
- 03
Keep measurement separate
Use a calibrated backlit or telecentric setup if pitch or diameter must be measured.
From the demo to your test bench
Parts in this setup
LightTested
LS-RNG-0801
74 mm dia. ring light, 60°, 620 nm (LS-RNG-0801)
Blue version of the 74 mm ring light identified in the source thread example. Printed OD 74 × ID 35 × H 20 mm, 60° beam angle, three rows of LEDs. The catalog lists red, green, blue and white variants; this trial selects blue.
$219.00
In proposed setup
CameraOur pick
MV-CS050-10GM(NPOE)
Hikrobot MV-CS050-10GM(NPOE) 5 MP GigE area scan camera, IMX264, Gen 2 basic version, Mono, Without PoE
5 MP monochrome global-shutter camera proposed for a contrast trial. Confirm field, sampling, exposure and algorithm on the actual application.Not available in the United States. Available for delivery to other countries.
$819.00
In proposed setup
LensOur pick
LS-FFL-1456
35 mm, F2.8, 1.1", C-mount, Macro lens (59 mm (-0.7X) to 150 mm (-0.25X)) (LS-FFL-1456)
Proposed 35 mm C-mount macro lens at its printed 0.25x magnification / 150 mm working-distance pair. The proposed 2448 × 2048 sensor with 3.45 µm pixels gives a derived 33.7824 × 28.2624 mm field; confirm focus, coverage and residual distortion on the real sample.
$339.00
In proposed setup
Camera test stationOur pick
LS-MNT-0097
Camera stand with XZ adjustment and glass tray, height 600 mm, 600 x 450 mm base (LS-MNT-0097)
600 mm column, 600 × 450 mm breadboard, XZ adjustment, glass tray and two lighting holders as listed. Proposed bench fixture; confirm loads, travel and camera/lens clamps.
$629.00
In proposed setup
"Tested" marks the part the manufacturer used in its application test. "Our pick" is our proposed alternative or supporting part, not tested by the manufacturer in this set-up. Confirm colour, optics, controllers, power supplies, cables and mounting before ordering.
The set-up
| Tested light | LS-RNG-0801, blue |
|---|---|
| Source camera / lens | Not specified in the source image caption; proposed parts below |
| Proposed lens point | 0.25x at 150 mm, printed lens pair |
| Derived proposed field | 33.7824 × 28.2624 mm = sensor dimensions / 0.25x; not a source test field |
| Ring envelope (printed) | OD 74 × ID 35 × H 20 mm; 60° beam angle |
| Source viewing angle | Not supplied; the capture is an oblique view and the 3D scene shows a vertical proposal |
| Mounting (proposed) | LS-MNT-0097; 600 mm column, 600 × 450 mm base, glass tray and two included lighting holders |
Mount the optics with intent
The station is an optical test bench, with its two lighting holders included in the catalog listing. The 3D column and base follow the published height and footprint. Carriages, clamps and part supports are schematic: confirm camera screw pattern, lens support, light fasteners, permissible load and actual travel before ordering.
Complete the electrical system
Select a controller against the exact light voltage, drive mode and power, then confirm camera data/power/I/O cables and a suitable PC. These are not silently added to the proposed optical kit.
Build this system
Start from this setup, adapt it to your part.
The configurator opens with this study's camera, lens, light and station picked. Swap any part, check fit and price, then buy or ask for a quote.
Camera and available lens CAD are published models. Lens and light envelopes use printed dimensions. The linked station uses its published base size and column height; carriage, brackets, fittings, parts and spacing are illustrative. Confirm load, travel, fasteners and clearances before ordering. Light paths explain the arrangement and do not simulate optical performance. Representative part geometry is illustrative, not reconstructed inspection evidence. The specimen and lighting distance are representative, not dimensions or settings recovered from the source capture.
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Make the next trial specific.
Tell us the part size, smallest defect or tolerance, available working distance, material and line speed. Include what a good part and a reject look like.
About this case study: the photos and camera images are the manufacturer's application test images, supplied by the maker of the tested part and taken on the parts shown; LumaSpec did not run this test. Your results depend on your part, camera and set-up. This is a manufacturer's application study, not a LumaSpec customer deployment. Reported figures are the manufacturer's; proposed components require a fresh trial. The 3D scene illustrates the arrangement and does not simulate imaging performance.