Design of a surface imaging system for irregular-shaped electroplating parts based on shape follow-up path planning

The simultaneous concentration of complex curved surfaces and specular reflection imaging characteristics on the surface of irregular-shaped electroplating parts poses a significant challenge in capturing their surface defect images. In this paper, a machine vision imaging system based on robot path planning with the shape of electroplating parts was designed to address the problem of surface imaging of anisotropic electroplating parts. Firstly, a conformal illumination imaging platform was built based on the principle of dark field imaging. Secondly, the imaging motion model was established, and the target acquisition points were obtained using the rotating plane slicing method and the equal arc length method. Finally, the path planning simulation was performed using ROBOGUIDE off-line programming software to generate control programs for the imaging path and surface full imaging. The experimental results showed that the curved surface imaging time of the imaging system was approximately 8s, and the captured images were free of reflected spots, allowing for a clear distinction between background and defect information. The detection accuracy of the software can reach 0.3mm, effectively improving the detection efficiency and accuracy of the highly reflective curved surfaces. The research findings had significant application value in the imaging of irregular-shaped electroplating parts.