The apparatus, method and system for inspecting a fastener installed in a structure
includes the illumination of a fastener and a portion of the structure surrounding
the fastener, the detection of the light reflected from the fastener and the portion
of the structure surrounding the fastener, the analysis of the reflected light,
and the definition of at least one inspection criteria. The structure has a coating
that reflects light of a predefined wavelength differently than the fastener. As
such, the light that illuminates the fastener and the structure surrounding the
fastener has a wavelength within the predefined range. The light reflected from
the fastener and the portion of the structure surrounding the fastener is then
detected and analyzed to determine an interface between exposed surfaces of the
fastener and the coating. Based upon the detected interface, at least one inspection
criteria may then be defined.
