Automated Surface Mapping and 3-D Model Generation

The quick and efficient acquisition of shape and geometry data of technical components is gaining importance in production and maintenance. Thanks to progress in optical measurement methods and electronic equipment, it is now possible to generate computermodels from components for which appropriate documentation is either out of date or unavailable. Such data sets facilitate, for instance, quick and easy fit checks of parts in the computer; also, a database of items can be generated. We propose to developan optical profilometer that can quantitatively measure 3-D shapes and generate the required CAD data from them. Particular attention is given to the measurement of large structures and the issues of portability, stable calibration, and speed of thesystem. An optimized data acquisition strategy will be selected which, while allowing for large fields of view, can maintain a high accuracy. With respect to ruggedness and cost minimization, the simplest possible solution will be chosen forimplementation. The work will greatly benefit from the cooperation with a leading developer of shape-measurement techniques and apparatus. In Phase II, the selected principle will be developed into a fully operational, portable system.The proposedinstrument will have a remarkably wide range of applications in both military and civil industries: it will allow one to quickly digitize and compare nominally equal items or to routinely monitor the wear or deformation of parts in use. Such data willallow an early recognition of excessive wear or fatigue, and will enable optimization of designs and accurate reproduction of parts to be replaced. Since the transition to computerized production technologies is still largely underway, there is a largemarket currently developing for 3-D shape measurement devices.