<title>Online 3D sensor for accurate measurement of complex surface areas and volume</title>

Abstract

A three dimensional vision system that can instantly image stationary and moving objects and measure surface areas and volumes of complex unknown shapes is described. This system is based on the four dimensional imager (4DI), a technology developed for the measurement of 3D objects, that provides high speed and high accuracy measurements. The 4DI sensor uses several cameras and a structured light laser which can provide up to 50,000 data points per measurement. It has several advantages over existing systems and its applications to surface area and volume measurements is described. Applications of the 4DI to surface area and volume measurements have revealed it to be effective, accurate, and faster than most existing systems. This technology allows objects of different sizes, from several feet to fractions of an inch, to be quickly and easily imaged. The imaging system and the different algorithms used for surface area and volume measurements are described.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.