EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEM FOR DISK HEAD INSPECTION.

An overview of the image analysis algorithms and architectures applied in the automatic digital visual inspection of disk heads is presented. This complex application requires recognition of many defect types, together with measurement of defect position and size. The algorithms have been implemented in VISTA-1, an experimental tool that consists of an XY table, bright/darkfield optics, a microscope and TV camera, a commercially available pipeline image processor, a special-purpose reconfigurable image processing subsystem (RIPS), and a 68000-based computer. Experimental results obtained during the design and testing phase of this system are reported.