Importance

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Abstract

An arrangement in which three-dimensional surface measurements are obtained by projecting a non-planar light beam on a surface and interpreting the image by triangulation. The non-planar beam makes it possible to determine its angle of incidence with the surface in an unambiguous manner, and allows surrounding a manufacturing process to provide continuous data when guiding the process around corners. A non-planar reflecting surface or other arrangement is used to generate the non-planar light beam from a planar light source. A flying spot of light may also be used. After the non-planar beam has been generated, it is projected upon the surface to be measured and forms there an intersection of the beam with the surface. Light reflected from the intersection is imaged from an angle different than the projected beam, and coordinates are generated of the surface intersection points illuminated by the projected beam based on the known angle of projection, known angle of imaging, and distance between projection source and imaging site.

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First Claim