Industrial Endoscope
Broadly defined, this refers to industrial inspection equipment that uses optical or electronic imaging technology to enable non-destructive internal observation. It is suitable for internal quality inspection and hazard detection in industries such as pipelines, machinery, automobiles, and power generation.
A subcategory of industrial endoscope, designed specifically for inspecting narrow holes or complex structures, emphasizes high precision, automation, and adaptability to specific industries (such as aviation and aerospace).
parameter | Industrial endoscopes | Borescope |
Probe diameter | 0.8mm-6mm(Adapt to different testing needs) | ≤1mm(For aviation use, adapted to complex engine paths) |
Bending radius | General requirementsR≥50mm | R≤30mm(Passed stricter bending test) |
Turning ability | Partially supports 360° steering | Must support multi-directional precise steering (such as inside an aircraft engine) |
Parameter | Industrial endocope | Borescope |
Resolution | 1 million pixels-4K |
2 million pixels and above (supports image enhancement algorithm)
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Image processing | Basic sharpening, noise suppression | Edge sharpening, dynamic range adjustment, 3D reconstruction |
Special Features | Partial support for infrared or ultraviolet imaging | Integrated laser point cloud scanning (3D measurement) |
parameter | Industrial endoscopes | Borescope |
Dimensional measurement | Two-dimensional length and area measurement | 3D depth and volume quantification (accuracy ≤ 0.05mm) |
Defect Identification | Manual marking and simple measurement | Automatic defect recognition and classification (e.g. cracks, corrosion) |
Data Output | Still images and videos | Real-time data transmission to diagnostic systems (supports predictive maintenance) |
Industrial endoscopes
• Highly versatile, covering the basic inspection needs of multiple industries:
• Manufacturing: Detecting sand inclusions and burrs inside castings.
• Energy: Inspection of pipeline corrosion and scaling.
• Automotive maintenance: Diagnosing engine carbon deposits and oil line blockages.
• Construction: Observing cavities and cracks within bridge structures.
Borescope
• Focused on industries requiring high precision, meeting stringent standards:
• Aviation:
• Detecting cracks in engine turbine blades (e.g., NAS410 standard).
• Quantifying the size of combustion chamber component ablation (accuracy ≤ 0.1mm).
• Aerospace:
• Locating and removing foreign matter inside fuel pipelines.
• Internal inspection of rocket engine propellant channels.
• Nuclear power:
• Monitoring internal corrosion of reactor cooling system piping (RCC-M specification).
• 3D reconstruction of defects in steam generator heat transfer tubes. 4. Industry Standards and Certifications
Industrial Endoscopes
• National Standards:
• GB/T 33886-2017 "Industrial Electronic Endoscope Inspection Instruments": Specifies parameters such as image quality (resolution, depth of field), illumination, and so on.
• GB/T 33887-2017 "Industrial Fiberoptic Endoscope Inspection Instruments": Supplements the technical requirements for fiberoptic endoscopes.
• Industry Standards:
• JB/T 11130-2011: Classifies endoscopes into fiber, electronic, and optical endoscopes, and specifies parameters such as illumination and field of view.
Borescopes
• General Standards:
• ASTM E2701-15 "Industrial Endoscope Inspection Standard": Specifies inspection procedures and defect detection accuracy (≥95%).
• Industry-Specific Standards:
• Aviation: NAS410 (Nondestructive Testing Personnel Certification), ASME BPVC (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code). • Nuclear power: RCC-M (French nuclear island equipment design and construction code), ISO 20669:2017 (international nondestructive testing standard).
• Calibration requirements:
• Third-party test block verification is required (e.g., aluminum alloy test blocks must have a defect size tolerance of ±0.05mm). Annual inspections require penetrant testing to verify internal structural integrity.
Summary and Selection Recommendations
Product | Industrial endoscope | borescope |
Applicable Scenarios | General inspection (pipeline, machinery, construction, etc.) | High-precision and narrow space (aviation, aerospace, nuclear power) |
Technical Focus | Basic imaging and simple measurements | 3D quantification and automatic defect recognition |
Industry Standards | Mainly national standards | Industry-specific specifications (e.g., NAS410, RCC-M) |
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Selection basis | Inpsection object size、quality control | Defect accuracy requirements, industry compliance |
Conclusion:
Industrial endoscopes are broadly defined as inspection tools, while borescopes are a specialized type of endoscope designed for high-precision, confined space inspections. They are particularly valuable in high-end manufacturing fields like aviation and aerospace. Choosing a borescope requires comprehensive consideration based on the specific inspection scenario (e.g., pipe diameter, defect size requirements, and industry regulations).
Shenzhen Vsndt Co., Ltd. (VSNDT) specializes in providing professional endoscope solutions for a wide range of users. We primarily serve high-end industrial endoscope brands in industrial settings, aiming to provide non-destructive internal visual inspection solutions for industrial end-users. In the future, VSNDT will uphold the mission of "Protecting Precision Manufacturing and Building a Century-Old Brand," continuously improving its development and striving to provide customers around the world with even higher-quality products and services, thereby safeguarding the high-quality development of the industrial sector. Choosing a borescope manufacturer requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors, including manufacturer size, product performance, after-sales service, and R&D capabilities. Only by choosing the right manufacturer can you purchase a borescope with excellent performance and reliable quality, providing strong support for equipment inspection and maintenance.
Industrial borescope
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