Integrated endoscopy - Bridging the gap between diagnosis and action

Industrial Endoscopy has been introduced in the early twenties of the last century. Refinements in both optics and electronics have considerably extended the visualisation limits for otherwise unaccessible objects. Combination of endoscopes with other NDT methods has either lead to further improved flaw imaging (e.g. by fluorescent penetrants) or serves to extend the access range of these methods (e.g. Eddy current testing). Transgressing the border of pure NDT, endoscopy offers not only the diagnostic tool but also the remedy: The latest developments combine endoscopic and material processing tools into integrated instruments which allow for detecting and curing material defects within one process. An example from turbine technology shows the tremendous progress and cost saving effect of the integrated approach: The in-situ repair of damaged aeroengine compressor blades (so-called,blending on-wing") is cutting ground times down from several days to a few hours. But regarding future engine developments, this approach also creates new demands for more integration of advanced NDT techniques and is a challenge for future developments.