The Boeing Company
System and method for high speed FOD detection

Abstract:

A system for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface includes an ultraviolet light source configured to direct ultraviolet light across a surface. The surface is an outer surface of a composite part being formed by a composite layup machine. The system includes an ultraviolet light camera configured to scan the surface and output a first signal proportional to reflected ultraviolet light reflected by at least one of the surface and a first type of foreign object debris material. The reflected ultraviolet light is responsive to the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source. The system also includes a controller coupled to the ultraviolet light source and to the ultraviolet light camera. The controller is configured to compare the first signal from the ultraviolet light camera with a first threshold to detect presence of the first type of foreign object debris material.