New procedure for qualification of structured light 3D scanners using an optical feature-based gauge

Abstract

This work evaluates the performance and operative limits to the dimensional accuracy of 3D optical scanning based on blue-light fringe projection technology. This technology, also known as structured light 3D scanning, is widely used in many reverse engineering applications. It allows the user to quickly capture and create point-clouds, by using images taken at different orientations of white-or blue-light fringe projected patterns on the part. For the survey, a large and feature-based gauge has been used with specific optical properties. The gauge is endowed with canonical geometrical features made of matt white ceramic material. The gauge was calibrated using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) by contact. Therefore, it is possible to compare the measurements obtained by the structured blue-light sensor with those obtained by the CMM, which are used as reference. In the experimentation, the influence of the scanner software in the measurement results was also analysed. Besides, different tests were carried out for the different fields of view (FOV) of the sensor. The survey offers some practical values and limits to the accuracy obtained in each configuration.