Importance

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Abstract

The invention relates to a method of producing a reproduction of an object and an apparatus for carrying out said method. A particular object of the invention is the reproduction of the remaining stump of an amputated leg (18) for producing an improved prosthetic socket. When carrying out the method, the object (18) is positioned in a predetermined position in relation to a rotatable framework (8) on which a laser apparatus (12) and a video camera (13) are mounted in such positions that they can illuminate, and pick up, respectively, the image of a contour line (17) of the object via a pair of mirrors (15, 16; 20, 21) each during the rotation of the framework (8) through substantially a complete revolution. The image thus obtained of the contour line (17) is converted through a video/AD-converter (26) into numerical information identifying coordinates of points on the line. This information is supplied together with measuring and control programs to a computer (27), the output signals of which are supplied as input signals to a control electronic unit. The output signals from the electronic units control a model milling cutter in such a way that this on a workpiece produces a contour line which corresponds to a modified form of the contour lines of the object. The framework (8) with laser apparatus (12) and video camera (13) is intermittently rotated stepwise a predetermined fraction of a revolution, and for each step the abovementioned measures are repeated until the framework has been rotated through a complete revolution.

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First Claim