Some Fast Facts About Borescopes

These days borescopes are becoming more and more useful. Mechanics, engineers, technicians and so many other professionals use these technology gadgets every day. The question is: Do you know what borescopes can be used for and do yo need one?  A borescope is a fascinating instrument that allows you to look at objects in inaccessible areas.  They consists of a tube with a reflecting mirror on one end and an eye piece to look through on the other. The reflecting mirror is an objective lens very similar to the one found in a camera. The lens is then followed by an optic mechanism that relays the image down the tube to the eyepiece which magnifies it for viewing. The two main types for borescope are flexible and rigid.  There is a third type of semi-flexible borescope. The optical relay is where the key difference in the types of borescope is found.The Rigid Borescope The tube of the rigid borescope is a tube that does not bend.  You can purchase the rigid tube in a variety of angles such as straight and right (bent ninety degrees) angles.  These are the most commonly available.  There are other angles; but they may not be as easy to locate and may be more costly.  The rigid borescope utilizes several lenses to transmit an image through the tube and to the viewing eyepiece.  They generally offer the highest quality and clarity of imaging.  When possible a rigid borescope is your best option for viewing an image.The Flexible Borescope Flexible borescopes have bundles of fiber optic fibers wound together that transmit an image from the lens to the eye.  The use of fibers instead of lenses; give the borescope flexibility; but resolution is sacrificed in the process.  Resolution refers to the sharpness of an image.  Resolution is measured in pixels, which are the number of color dots or points in a given area.  Generally the more pixels an image is portrayed in; the clearer the image will appear. You should choose a borescope that has 10,000 or more pixels to get a good image. Not only is image quality harder to obtain with a flexible borescope; the contrast between black and white hues is less; which can create a fuzzy image. Flexible borescopes tend to be much more expensive as well.  Use a flexible borescope only if required, and viewing isn't possible any other way.Semi-flexible BorescopesSemi flexible borescopes offer some flexibility to maneuver them but are still fairly restricted in the access they can provide.  If you need minimal manipulation (more than you can get with a rigid borescope) but do not require total flexibility, then a semi-flexible borescope may do the job.  You will have will not get quite the resolution you do with a rigid borescope; but you won't have the expense of a flexible borescope either.Industries That Use Borescopes:•    Aircraft mechanics use borescopes to insure safety and prevent costly future repairs by allowing easy frequent inspection of internal engine turbines, compressors and fuel components.•    Auto and diesel engine mechanics inspect all the internal working parts of engines to prevent costly repair due to wear.  •    Machinists use borescopes to inspect the precision of machined parts before they reach the consumer.•    Gun Makers inspect rifle barrels for wear and defects that affect the accuracy of the gun when it is shot.•    Borescopes allow construction inspectors to see hidden defects and damage such as pest, water, mold and mildew that affect the structural integrity of a building. •    Borescopes are used for educational and medical purposes as well.  A borescope used to view the internal workings of the body are called endoscopes.