Abstract: Apparatus and method for evaluating the defects in an object wherein data related to the object is processed to develop an indication for each defect in a first group of defects and to further develop a composite indication for the defects in the remaining composite group of defects and wherein, depending upon the level of the composite indication, the data is further processed with respect to the composite group of defects.

Abstract: A method for measuring the position and orientation changes of a 3-D sensor relative to a robot mount and for measuring the positioning and orienting changes of the robot mount. All measurements reveal changes relative to a baseline measurement. A novel reference provides a low-cost measurement aid. A reference object is placed within the work volume of the robot carrying the sensor which is capable of making three-dimensional measurements. The reference object has a shape that enables unambiguous determination of its location and orientation. The reference object is measured from predetermined orientations, and the measurements are recorded in a memory. These measurements form a baseline measurement set. The measurement step is repeated at a later time, and another measurement set is produced. The baseline measurement set and the other measurement set are processed to determine robot positioning errors and sensor location errors.