Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system has a plurality of cameras, each camera for viewing a respective target disposed at a respective wheel of the vehicle and capturing image data of the target as the wheel and target are continuously rotated a number of degrees of rotation without a pause. The image data is used to calculate a minimum number of poses of the target of at least one pose for every five degrees of rotation as the wheel and target are continuously rotated the number of degrees of rotation without a pause. At least one of the cameras comprises a data processor for performing the steps of preprocessing the image data, and calculating an alignment parameter for the vehicle based on the preprocessed image data.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated laser measuring method and apparatus for determining the dimensions of long parts is disclosed. Parts to be measured are positioned along a y-axis fence (19) against an x-axis fence (21). A gantry (15) is moved along a precision support rail (17) to the desired longitudinal (x-axis) position. Then a probe (23) is moved inwardly or outwardly to a desired y-axis position and lowered to a desired z-axis position. A Doppler laser measuring system that includes a Doppler laser head (25) and retroreflector (27) measures x-axis length. Y-axis and z-axis encoders (29, 31) determine y-axis and z-axis probe position with respect to the y-axis fence and the top (39) of the table (13). A temperature compensation unit (103) receives the laser measurement information and modifies the x-axis length measurement based on part temperature and the coefficient of expansion of the part.