US Patent 7508971 Inspection system using coordinate measurement machine and associated method

A system and method for identifying defects in a workpiece are provided. The system includes a sensor for non-destructive testing. The system also includes a movable arm carrying the sensor and being pivotally attached to a base. The movable arm includes at least one pivotable joint between the base and the sensor, and is capable of being moved such that the sensor acquires data indicative of a workpiece as the sensor travels proximate to the workpiece. A data acquisition system is capable of communicating with the sensor to create an image of at least a portion of the workpiece based on the data acquired by the sensor.