Abstract: Three-dimensional information and a three-dimensional display of the surface of an object is provided by a scanning laser beam mounted on a high-speed rotating disc to repetitively scan across an object transported below the disc upon a moving carrier. Light reflected from the object surface back along the axis of the scanning beam is detected to indicate surface characteristics, such as reflection intensity. Positions of the projected beam in the course of its scanning rotation and of the carrier in the course of its transport motion are detected to generate signals that define the XY position of the scanning beam. Light of the projected energy beam, as reflected from the object at an angle to the beam axis, is imaged by a second lens upon a linear detector array, whereby the position of the image along the linear detector array will indicate elevation of the reflecting area along the axis of the projected beam.

Abstract: The surface of a part to be identified or inspected is scanned by a laser beam projected normal to the surface to be scanned from the end of a rotating arm in a circular scan pattern. A small collector lens is fixed to the end of the rotating arm and has a hole through which the projected beam passes. The part moves across the scan pattern in a direction perpendicular to the projected beam, and intensity of reflected light received by the lens and transmitted to a detector provides precision information concerning surface characteristics, orientation and discontinuities.