Ford's requirements for Lumens/Lighting for Visual Inspection

Re: Inspection lumens for Ford

I think it would be rather presumptuous to have a lighting standard - each inspection location could require very different requirements. How about visual under black light? Get my point? Now, that said, having your standards -for each area - is a good idea. The reason why this even comes up is the same reason why automotive ever wants something put into a standard - somebody used the excuse one too many times as a reason why something bad happened. Here, it is likely somebody used the excuse there was not enough light to do the inspection and the operator missed it. Usually, somebody drops in a 100% inspection on line as a corrective action - but does not provide adequate lighting to do it in that location.

Preventive checking of the lighting with a light meter is also a good idea. Many people do not realize that their lighting lumens drops off - slowly - over time. Hi pressure lighting is chronic for that - and you don't notice. It rarely "burns out" like old incandescent. So, after a while people start putting up auxiliary lighting - when all they needed to do was change their ceiling bulbs!

Attached is an excerpt from the Extech light meter manual - really broad brush....but that may be appropriate.

Attachments

• Light Levels.jpg

Re: Inspection lumens for Ford

I think it would be rather presumptuous to have a lighting standard - each inspection location could require very different requirements. How about visual under black light? Get my point? Now, that said, having your standards -for each area - is a good idea. The reason why this even comes up is the same reason why automotive ever wants something put into a standard - somebody used the excuse one too many times as a reason why something bad happened. Here, it is likely somebody used the excuse there was not enough light to do the inspection and the operator missed it. Usually, somebody drops in a 100% inspection on line as a corrective action - but does not provide adequate lighting to do it in that location.

Preventive checking of the lighting with a light meter is also a good idea. Many people do not realize that their lighting lumens drops off - slowly - over time. Hi pressure lighting is chronic for that - and you don't notice. It rarely "burns out" like old incandescent. So, after a while people start putting up auxiliary lighting - when all they needed to do was change their ceiling bulbs!

Attached is an excerpt from the Extech light meter manual - really broad brush....but that may be appropriate.

HI,lk I cna't see the document xcan you repost it?

Thanks,
al40 Re: Inspection lumens for Ford

HI!

Which international or automotive standard mention this requirements? Would you be so kind and give me the standard name an number?

Thanks.

oki.

Welcome to the Cove.

The attachment in question is from a light meter manual and gives typical values for various applications. If you have applications where illumination can affect inspection results, you need to determine what the requirements are and apply them consistently. If you have customers who also might be affected by type/quality of illumination, you need to come to an agreement with them regarding the criteria for illumination.

By iesca Date 02-16- 00:52 I have not found (in AWS Standards) requirements about ligthing conditions, viewing angle or distance from the eye to object, but I think than the following information could be useful for you:

1. Section IX (ASME BPVC) Article 9 -Visual Examination, in T-952 states: "Direct visual examination may usually be made when access is sufficient to place the eye within 24 in. (610 mm) of the surface to be examined and at a angle not less than 30 deg. to the surface to be examined... The minimum light intensity at the examination surface/site shall be 100 footcandles ( lx)..."
2. In Visual and Optical Testing (NDT) the common requirements/recommendation are: A minimum intensity of 160 lx (15 ftc) of ilumination should be used for general visual testing. A minimum of 500 lx (50 ftc) should be used for critical or finely detailed tests.
3. Accordigng the Illuminating Engineering Society, visual testing requires ligth at 1,100 to 3,200 lx (100 to 300 ftc) for critical work.
4. The eye should be brougth close of the tests object, however, a direct visual test should be performed at a distance of 10 to 24 in.  The most recommended distance is from 10 to 12 in.

Hector Garcia By thirdeye Date 02-16- 02:52 I don't recall that information in D1.1 either.  I know ASME references it as we updated our QA Manual several years ago to reflect it.  Hector pointed out the reference in Section IX and I suspect there is a reference to this in Section V as we have an essential variable/nonessential variable chart like Section V uses for the other NDT methods in our manual.  Since I am at home, I can't come up with the exact working from the Code, but the wording in our manual which addresses this issue is as follows:

Applications - Direct Visual - Direct visual examination may be made when access is sufficient to place the eye within 24 in. of the surface to be examined and at an angle of not less than 30 degrees to the surface to be examined.  Illumination (natural or supplemental white light) for the specific part, component, vessel or section thereof being examined is required.  The minimum light intensity at the examination surface shall be 100 footcandles.  The light source, technique used, and light level verification is required to be demonstrated one time, documented, and maintained on file.

~thirdeye~

EDIT - I missed the 30° from hectors post ... sorry for the double information.