Have you ever heard of a borescope? Chances are you've seen them, even if you didn't know what they were called. For example, have you ever seen an engine mechanic using a small-diameter tube, with an eyepiece on the end? In any position the thin, sometimes flexible tube, in strategic locations helps them to get a good look at what is going on inside. These are borescopes.
As you might have guessed, borescopes are commonly used when inspecting machinery. For example, HVAC professionals use rigid borescopes, which have a straight-line barrel, to inspect air conditioning and heat pump components. The advantage of using a borescope is that it often eliminates the need to completely disassemble a machine in order inspect it.
Major manufacturers include Olympus and Hawkeye -- Olympus borescopes and Hawkeye borescopes are industry leaders, and manufacture sophisticated, precision equipment which is used in manufacturing, science and technology, and other industries.
How to borescopes work? Rigid borescopes, which do not bend, utilize a series of positioned optical lenses to transmit light. There are video borescopes as well, which incorporate the latest video display technology.
On the other hand, borescopes which flex, or bend, utilize a different type of technology -- fiber optics. The fiber-optic filaments used in flexible borescopes allow these models to be bent and moved -- and this is really helpful when various obstacles in the way would prevent the use of rigid borescopes. ProVision borescopes are relatively inexpensive, flexible borescopes which are widely used by mechanics in the automotive field, as well as in other fields.
It is also possible to purchase various types of borescope accessories -- for example, if you will need to use your borescope in the field, you can purchase a battery operated light source for it. You can also purchase specially-designed carrying cases, changeable diameter shafts, couplers for the connection of a camera, etc.
And since borescopes can cost thousands of dollars to purchase new, it is also possible to rent them. Borescope rental companies have sprung up, and they provide a very important service for businesses who could not otherwise afford to purchase a borescope -- or for businesses or industries who only have an occasional need to use one. Borescope rental fees are extremely reasonable, and most borescope rental companies have a wide variety of models to choose from.
An important borescope advance is the development of specialized, PC-based software applications. These specialized programs will allow you to do things like digitally record images, to document your inspections, operate your borescope from a remote location -- some of them will even help you to do your paperwork! Some companies will offer these computerized applications along with your equipment purchase, eliminating the need for an additional, expensive purchase.
One of the fields where borescopes are used very widely is the field of
medicine, where borescopes are called endoscopes. They are used during
surgery, for doing autopsies, for gynecological examinations,
colonoscopies, upper G.I. testing, etc. These special-purpose
endoscopes are designed to be used within the human body without
injuring it, and can also be sterilized without damaging the unit in
any way.
About the Author
Simon Harris owns and operates http://www.borescope-reviews.com Understanding Borescopes
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