Abstract: A method for assisting the laser drilling of a hole in a part comprises the steps of providing a camera mounted to the laser, providing a target hole at a first position, capturing a first image of the target hole at the first position with the camera, moving the target hole to a second position and capturing a second image of the target hole, and computing a drilling location of the target hole from the first image and the second image, said computed drilling location used to laser drill the target hole.

Abstract: A method for assisting the laser drilling of a hole in a part comprising comprises the steps of providing a camera mounted to the laser, providing a target hole at a first position, capturing a first image of the target hole at the first position with the camera, moving the target hole to a second position and capturing a second image of the target hole, and computing a drilling location of the target hole from the first image and the second image, said computed drilling location used to laser drill the target hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the profile of an object provides a sensor having at least one light source which projects a sheet of light that is intersected by the object, whereby a stripe of points on the object are illuminated. The light source projects the sheet from multiple angles, so that the resulting stripe represents a continuous profile. The profile is collectively viewed by at least two optical detectors, which each have a different view than the others and provide an output signal representing its particular view of the profile. The output signals are received by an image processor, which digitizes the signals, provides filtering, and identifies (extracts) the points in each view that represent the profile. The image processor uses a predetermined set of calibration parameters to transform the coordinates of the extracted points to corresponding coordinates in a common reference system that collectively represent the profile of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the profile of an object provides a sensor having at least one light source which projects a sheet of light that is intersected by the object, whereby a stripe of points on the object are illuminated. The light source projects the sheet from multiple angles, so that the resulting stripe represents a continuous profile. The profile is collectively viewed by at least two optical detectors, which each have a different view than the others and provide an output signal representing its particular view of the profile. The output signals are received by an image processor, which digitizes the signals, provides filtering, and identifies (extracts) the points in each view that represent the profile. The image processor uses a predetermined set of calibration parameters to transform the coordinates of the extracted points to corresponding coordinates in a common reference system that collectively represent the profile of the object.

Abstract: A rough taught tentative seam track is refined using the electronic image of a matrix camera. The sensed image is rotated perpendicular to the tentative track. A horizontal row of pixels is processed with a filter to enhance the seam and reject other signals. Weighted voting of various features aids in selection of the proper seam image and its location. Offset is applied to the tentative track to provide a true track.