Abstract: A reflector arrangement for position determination and/or marking of target points, comprising a retroreflector and a first sensor arrangement, by means of which the orientation measurement radiation passing through the retroreflector is acquirable. The first sensor arrangement comprises a first optical assembly providing a fisheye lens, and a first sensor, wherein the retroreflector and the first sensor arrangement are arranged in such a way that orientation measurement radiation passing through the retroreflector is projectable onto the detection surface of the first sensor by means of the first optical assembly.

Abstract: A system for monitored additive manufacturing of an object, comprising a manufacturing unit], designed for additive manufacturing of the object based on metal-containing manufacturing material in a manufacturing volume, wherein the object is built up by repeated layer-by-layer provision of the manufacturing material in defined quantity and accurately-positioned forming of the provided manufacturing material. The system moreover comprises an optical checking unit having at least one projector and two cameras and a control and processing unit. The manufacturing volume comprises an optical transmission region, the projector and cameras-are arranged outside the manufacturing volume in a fixed position relationship and are aligned in such a way that respective optical axes extend through a respective transmission region, by means of the projector, a projection can be generated on a manufacturing area and at least a common part of the manufacturing area on which the projection can be overlaid can be captured.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring an object. The measuring device includes a distance measuring unit having a beam emission unit generating a measurement radiation having a defined wavelength spectrum and a detector detecting the measurement radiation reflected on the object surface, the detector having at least one first sensor. The distance measuring unit generates distance measured data and reflection measured data as first distance measured data by emitting the measurement radiation and detecting the reflected measurement radiation according to the principle of triangulation. The measurement radiation is generated using a wavelength spectrum such that a fluorescence is excitable by an interaction of the measurement radiation with the object material to emit fluorescent light, wherein a spectrum of the fluorescent light and the wavelength spectrum of the measurement radiation are different.

Abstract: Method of providing measuring light for triangulation-based distance measurement to an object to be measured, wherein distance information is derivable by detecting at least portions of the measuring light reflected at the object. The method comprises emitting light and shaping the light so that the measuring light is provided in form of a line having a midpoint and two opposite ends. The intensity distribution of the light across the line is adjusted so that a respective light intensity at the ends of the line is at least 10% higher than light intensity around the midpoint.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a triangulation sensor including a light emitting unit for emitting measuring light and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is arranged with known position and orientation relative to the light receiving unit and the triangulation sensor which is adapted to provide triangulation-based position measurements. A calibration setup which comprises the triangulation sensor and a calibration target providing a defined calibration pattern, and a calibration measurement is performed with reference to the calibration target by means of the triangulation sensor. An image of the calibration target is captured by means of the light receiving unit, and the captured image is processed with deriving a pattern image position with reference to the inner sensor image coordinate system and deriving a light image position with reference to the inner sensor image coordinate system.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a method for determining distances to an object to be measured based on the principle of triangulation, comprising generating and emitting a measuring light beam, directing the measuring light beam to the object to be measured, detecting a reflection of the measuring light from the object with respective pixels of an image sensor during a defined detection sequence (t0-te) and deriving distance information based on the detected reflection. The detection sequence (t0-te) comprises a number of at least two exposure sub-sequences each defining a particular exposure period and saturation limit for the pixels of the sensor, wherein a successive exposure sub-sequence comprises a higher saturation limit than its prior exposure sub-sequence and each saturation limit defines a maximum charging level of the pixels for the respective exposure sub-sequence.

Abstract: A method of identifying a surface point or region of an object to be measured by means of an optical sensor providing defined measuring conditions regarding emission of measuring light and reception of reflected measuring light in a defined spatial relationship. The method comprises defining a point or region of interest of the object, determining an optical property of the defined point or of the defined region and deriving an object information base on the optical property. The determination of the optical property is performed by optically pre-measuring the point or region using the optical sensor by illuminating the point or the region with the measuring light, capturing at least one image by means of the optical sensor of at least one illumination (Lr,Li) at the object and analyzing respective illuminations (Lr,Li) regarding position or appearance plausibility with respect to the measuring conditions of the optical sensor.

Abstract: Measuring machine and method for acquisition of small scale 3D information using a camera and a laser distance measuring unit with a laser source emitting a laser light beam having an oval or line-like cross-section onto a surface of an object to be gauged so that it is reflected to a detecting portion of a laser light sensor, and provide distance information based on the reflected laser light of said oval or line-like laser beam detected by the detecting portion.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a triangulation sensor including a light emitting unit for emitting measuring light and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is arranged with known position and orientation relative to the light receiving unit and the triangulation sensor which is adapted to provide triangulation-based position measurements. A calibration setup which comprises the triangulation sensor and a calibration target providing a defined calibration pattern, and a calibration measurement is performed with reference to the calibration target by means of the triangulation sensor. An image of the calibration target is captured by means of the light receiving unit, and the captured image is processed with deriving a pattern image position with reference to the inner sensor image coordinate system and deriving a light image position with reference to the inner sensor image coordinate system.

Abstract: A method of identifying a surface point or region of an object to be measured by means of an optical sensor providing defined measuring conditions regarding emission of measuring light and reception of reflected measuring light in a defined spatial relationship. The method comprises defining a point or region of interest of the object, determining an optical property of the defined point or of the defined region and deriving an object information base on the optical property. The determination of the optical property is performed by optically pre-measuring the point or region using the optical sensor by illuminating the point or the region with the measuring light, capturing at least one image by means of the optical sensor of at least one illumination (Lr,Li) at the object and analysing respective illuminations (Lr,Li) regarding position or appearance plausibility with respect to the measuring conditions of the optical sensor.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a coordinate measuring machine CMM, comprising a carrier as a support and positioning structure for an end-effector as a target, the end-effector being movable in at least three degrees of freedom and positionable by the carrier, a stationary metrology table as a support for a possible target object, and a control unit controlling the moving of the end-effector by the carrier. The CMM further comprises at least one, in particular at least two, imaging detectors for measuring and determining in six degrees of freedom a position of the possible target object, and an analysing unit for processing electronic signals and/or data delivered by the imaging detectors. According to the invention, the imaging detectors are firmly mounted to the metrology table, mechanically de-coupled from the carrier.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a method for determining distances to an object to be measured based on the principle of triangulation, comprising generating and emitting a measuring light beam, directing the measuring light beam to the object to be measured, detecting a reflection of the measuring light from the object with respective pixels of an image sensor during a defined detection sequence (t0-te) and deriving distance information based on the detected reflection. The detection sequence (t0-te) comprises a number of at least two exposure sub-sequences each defining a particular exposure period and saturation limit for the pixels of the sensor, wherein a successive exposure sub-sequence comprises a higher saturation limit than its prior exposure sub-sequence and each saturation limit defines a maximum charging level of the pixels for the respective exposure sub-sequence.

Abstract: Method of providing measuring light for triangulation-based distance measurement to an object to be measured, wherein distance information is derivable by detecting at least portions of the measuring light reflected at the object. The method comprises emitting light and shaping the light so that the measuring light is provided in form of a line having a midpoint and two opposite ends. The intensity distribution of the light across the line is adjusted so that a respective light intensity at the ends of the line is at least 10% higher than light intensity around the midpoint.

Abstract: Light emitting unit, in particular of or for a triangulation-based distance measuring device, for providing defined measuring light, in particular laser light, is disclosed. The light emitting unit comprising a light source for emitting light, in particular a laser light source for emitting laser light, and a beam forming assembly for shaping the light by affecting propagation of the light emitted by the light source, wherein the beam forming assembly is arranged and designed so that measuring light is provided in form of a light line having a midpoint and two opposite ends. The beam forming assembly comprises at least one micro-lens array, the at least one micro-lens array comprises a plurality of micro-lenses, wherein the micro-lenses are designed and arranged in joint manner next to each other with algebraic signs for curvatures of successive micro-lenses being opposite and so that a periodic structure is provided.

Abstract: Measuring machine and method for acquisition of small scale 3D information using a camera and a laser distance measuring unit with a laser source emitting a laser light beam having an oval or line-like cross-section onto a surface of an object to be gauged so that it is reflected to a detecting portion of a laser light sensor, and provide distance information based on the reflected laser light of said oval or line-like laser beam detected by the detecting portion.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a coordinate measuring machine CMM, comprising a carrier as a support and positioning structure for an end-effector as a target, the end-effector being movable in at least three degrees of freedom and positionable by the carrier, a stationary metrology table as a support for a possible target object, and a control unit controlling the moving of the end-effector by the carrier. The CMM further comprises at least one, in particular at least two, imaging detectors for measuring and determining in six degrees of freedom a position of the possible target object, and an analysing unit for processing electronic signals and/or data delivered by the imaging detectors. According to the invention, the imaging detectors are firmly mounted to the metrology table, mechanically de-coupled from the carrier.