Abstract: The system (7) for plotting the shape of a tri-dimensional object (2) is used in particular for the profile of a plantar arch (20). It comprises a sensing device (1) having rods (3) movable in a support (10, 11) such that said object (2) can be applied onto the first end (300) of each of said rods under a determined pressure force so as to drive said rods (3) in a translation motion and such that the set of the second ends (301) of said rods (3) define a surface (S.sub.A) replicating said shape to be plotted (20). Spring means (4) are associated with said movable rods (3) to oppose a calibrated resilient force opposing said pressure force. The system further comprises a contactless acquisition device (5) for acquiring and digitalizing said surface (S.sub.A) replicating said shape to be plotted (20), said device (5) delivering output electric signals (V.sub.S) correlated with the space coordinates of said second end (301) of said rods (3), with respect to reference coordinates (P.sub.

Abstract: In a method of and system for acquiring and digitizing an object through a transparent wall the system for acquiring and digitizing sections of objects includes a plurality of sensors carried by a common cradle. The sensors include a laser source emitting a lamellar beam forming a laser plane and two cameras observing the object. The various laser planes are coplanar and form a single measurement laser plane. Devices are provided for calculating and synchronizing the observed images. The support for the object to be measured has a non-plane surface. A preliminary phase includes calibration of the measuring space and acquisition and digitization of the surfaces of the transparent wall. Applications include acquiring and digitizing the shape of the human foot or a rubber seal for automobile doors when subjected to compression loads.

Abstract: An optical sensor for three dimensional shapes includes a laser that produces a lamellar plane beam which illuminates the surface of an object. The lamellar plane beam produces a curvilinear luminous trace that is scanned by at least one video camera, to produce information that is then converted into digital data representing pixel coordinates. The sensor includes a lightbox having a common housing that is positioned a short distance above the object to be scanned. The lightbox housing also includes a laser source that produces a collimated rectilinear beam and an optical device for converting the rectilinear beam into the lamellar plane beam. The lightbox housing also includes a device for lengthening the optical path of the lamellar plane beam, comprising two fixed plane mirrors in face to face relationship to produce a plurality of reflections between a beam entry point and a beam exit point of the lightbox.