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BOROSCOPE TECH INFO

TYPES OF FLEXIBLE SCOPES

Commercially offered there several types of flexible borescopes- otherwise known as fiberscopes or videoscopes. The difference between them is both their diameter and articulation controls. There are basically (4) types including non-articulating fiberscopes, 2 way, 4 way and "All" ways articulating flexible borescopes. Like the choice between rigid scopes- choosing between the appropriate type is typically dependent on the budget and diameter needed.

What is the inspection application(s), viewing and motion restrictions once inside the inspection cavity and the typical access hole size?

• Non-Articulating boroscopes work fine in situation where they can be easily guided inside the area of interest to be inspected. Some scopes have a "Rigid-gooseneck" type design- similar to that of a microphone on a speakers podium. They can be bent into position and will stay in that position until twisted into another curve. Then there are smaller diameter flexible borescopes and fiberscopes which are extremely flexible that do not articulate- however they must be used in situations where they can be easily guided by use of a pre-bent guide tube or articulated guide tube.
• 2 Way and 4 Way Articulated boroscopes are commonly used throughout industry for many inspection applications where viewing inside a cavity must be done in many directions to peer around inside. Internal to the scope- are very small 0.5mm (0.020") diameter cables that control the direction that the tip deflects in once the hand control on the eyepiece is moved. Tip deflection is normally in (2) separate planes up/down and left/right for 4 way articulated boroscopes and 2 way provide up/down (or left/right depending on orientation). The advantage in 4 way is that the scope does not need to be rotated as much circumferentially about it's axis for viewing as is required with 2 way articulated scopes- however 2 way articulated borescopes can be manufactured in smaller diameters and are less expensive usually.
• "All ways" articulation has recently been introduced on videoscopes primarily and uses internal servo controls to deflect the tip however this new technology is expensive.

There are several types of coherent image bundles used inside fiberscopes- the best is borosilica since it can be used for articulated scopes whereas quartz is subject to fracture in high-cycle repeated bending of the articulated section. The newest flexible borescopes have a miniature color CCD camera chip mounted directly in the end of the scope- these produce the best image quality- however they are the most expensive and currently are restricted to larger than 6mm in diameter. For more info about articulation see our sponsors website.