Abstract: A laser marking system comprises a laser, an image capture device, a marking head including electromagnetic energy deflectors and at least one lens, a beam path of the laser and a beam path of the image capture device both passing through the at least one lens, and a computer system operable to perform a method comprising capturing image tiles at each of multiple different locations with the image capture device, stitching the image tiles to produce a composite image of the marking field, identifying a location and orientation of an image of a workpiece within the composite image of the marking field, determining a location and orientation of a mark to be applied to the workpiece based on the location and orientation of the image of the workpiece within the composite image of the marking field, and applying the mark to the workpiece with the laser.

Abstract: A laser marking system includes a laser, an image capture device, a marking head including electromagnetic energy deflectors and a lens, beam paths of the laser of the image capture device both passing through the lens, and a computer system. The computer system is programmed to perform a method including generating an image calibration model at each of multiple areas across a marking field of the laser marking system, adjusting the electromagnetic energy deflectors to direct the beam path of the image capture device to multiple different locations within the marking field of the laser marking system, and capturing image tiles at each of the multiple different locations with the image capture device, wherein at each of the multiple different locations, if a location corresponds to an area at which an image calibration model was generated, correcting the image tile according to the image calibration model generated at the location.

Abstract: A laser marking system includes a laser, an image capture device, a marking head including electromagnetic energy deflectors and a lens, beam paths of the laser of the image capture device both passing through the lens, and a computer system. The computer system is programmed to perform a method including generating an image calibration model at each of multiple areas across a marking field of the laser marking system, adjusting the electromagnetic energy deflectors to direct the beam path of the image capture device to multiple different locations within the marking field of the laser marking system, and capturing image tiles at each of the multiple different locations with the image capture device, wherein at each of the multiple different locations, if a location corresponds to an area at which an image calibration model was generated, correcting the image tile according to the image calibration model generated at the location.

Abstract: The embodiments include a system, comprising: a scanhead with a marking laser having a marking field. The system includes a vision system having a camera embedded in the scanhead having a field of view (FOV) within the marking field and an autofocus module which uses pixel information in an in-focus region of interest (ROI) of a target surface of a part to obtain a Z-axis focus in a vertical dimension above a two-dimensional (2D) plane. The marking laser selectively marks with a laser beam the target surface in the marking field based on at least the Z-axis focus.

Abstract: A method of measuring an outline of a feature on a surface includes providing a substrate. The substrate includes a feature on a surface of the substrate. The feature includes walls. The surface of the substrate is illuminated. Edges of the walls are illuminated to measure a first contour and a second contour of the feature. An outline of the feature is calculated based on the first contour and the second contour.

Abstract: A method of measuring an outline of a feature on a surface includes providing a substrate. The substrate includes a feature on a surface of the substrate. The feature includes walls. The surface of the substrate is illuminated. Edges of the walls are illuminated to measure a first contour and a second contour of the feature. An outline of the feature is calculated based on the first contour and the second contour.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing a substrate from a component with a laser. The method includes the steps of: applying a laser to a component at different locations with different power or different laser speed levels so as to remove a portion of a substrate from the component and thereby yield a number of markings on the component; measuring the different markings and generating a collection of data associated with different power or speed levels for the laser based on the markings; and adjusting at least one operating parameter of the laser based on the collection of data from the markings. Optionally, the method may be automated.

Abstract: A multi model registration (MMR) process performed using a computer, for registering a plurality of workpiece vision models representing features on a workpiece that define a marking location thereon, to corresponding part vision models stored on the computer representing features that define a desired part marking location. The MMR process includes capturing a new image of the workpiece that includes one of the plurality of features on the workpiece that define its marking location; generating a workpiece vision model of that one workpiece feature included in the new workpiece image captured; registering the new workpiece vision model generated to the stored part vision model representing the corresponding one of the features defining the part marking location; and repeating these process steps for the remaining workpiece features defining the marking location thereon, for which there is respective corresponding stored part vision model representing a feature defining the part marking location.

Abstract: A multi model registration (MMR) process performed using a computer, for registering a plurality of workpiece vision models representing features on a workpiece that define a marking location thereon, to corresponding part vision models stored on the computer representing features that define a desired part marking location. By this process, respectively corresponding workpiece vision models and part vision models are aligned for guiding a laser to mark the workpiece, the position and orientation of the workpiece being variable relative to that represented by the stored part vision model.

Abstract: A non-contact imaging apparatus for examining an object having complex surfaces or shape deformations. The imaging apparatus includes at least one imaging device for obtaining a scanned image of the exterior surfaces of the object being examined. A predetermined reference image) of an ideal model for the object is stored in a memory. An image register is coupled to the imaging device and to the memory containing the reference image of the ideal model for the object. A transformation estimator compares the scanned image to the reference image and provides a transform which maps the scanned image to the reference image and provides a set of registered object data points. One or more filter modules process the registered object data points with a priori information to reduce noise and to further enhance the accuracy and precision of the registration. A gauge estimator is coupled to the filter module.

Abstract: A non-contact imaging apparatus for examining an object having complex surfaces or shape deformations. The imaging apparatus includes at least one imaging device for obtaining a scanned image of the exterior surfaces of the object being examined. A predetermined reference image) of an ideal model for the object is stored in a memory. An image register is coupled to the imaging device and to the memory containing the reference image of the ideal model for the object. A transformation estimator compares the scanned image to the reference image and provides a transform which maps the scanned image to the reference image and provides a set of registered object data points. One or more filter modules process the registered object data points with a priori information to reduce noise and to further enhance the accuracy and precision of the registration. A gauge estimator is coupled to the filter module.