Importance

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Abstract

To determine whether an object, such as a tool, is worn or broken, there is embedded in the object an elongate fiber optic. One end of the fiber optic is at a surface of the object and such that a second, light emitting end of said fiber optic is located within the body of said object and spaced a distance from a further surface of the object, such that a portion of the object overlies the other end. When the object is broken or worn to such an extent that the other end of the fiber optic is exposed, light directed at the first mentioned end of the fiber optic will be detectable at the other end. Thus, by directing light onto the one end, and by detecting any light emitted at the second end, a worn or broken object is readily detected. The invention has particular use in the automatic inspection of tools in automated manufacturing.

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First Claim