Abstract: A measurement system (10) for accurately measuring the surface geometry of a part (32) in three dimensions includes a laser (12) for emitting a laser beam (14). The laser beam (14) is transmitted to a birefringent crystal (16) which splits the laser beam (14) into a pair of beams (18,20). The pair of beams (18,20) are then subjected to a phase shift by a liquid crystal system (24) as controlled by a computer (26). The pair of beams (18,20) are then expanded in order to form a fringe pattern (30) on the surface of the part (32) to be measured.

Abstract: A method of automatically determining one or more sensor locations for sensing a surface of a physical part includes a CAD model (12) and a sensor model (14). The CAD model (12), which is representative of the surface of the physical part, and the sensor model (14), which is representative of a 3-D image capturing sensor (22), are both input into a sensor planner (16). The sensor planner (16) subdivides the CAD model (12) of the physical part into a plurality of discrete partitions. The plurality of discrete partitions are grouped into one or more subgroups based on visibility criterion. The sensor planner (16) then automatically outputs a set of viewing positions (18) and orientations for the sensor (22).

Abstract: A system (10) for measuring one or more dimensions of a physical part (18) includes a fringe generator (14) for projecting a fringe pattern of light onto a surface of the physical part (18) to be measured. The system (10) includes a sensor (12) for capturing images of the fringe pattern on the surface. The sensor (12) and the fringe generator (14) are located at different positions. The fringe generator (14) and the sensor (12) are each in communication with a computer (16) to determine whether each of the fringe generator (14) and the sensor (12) have line-of-sight visibility to the surface to be measured.

Abstract: A measurement system (10) for accurately measuring the surface geometry of a part (32) in three dimensions includes a laser (12) for emitting a laser beam (14). The laser beam (14) is transmitted to a birefringent crystal (16) which splits the laser beam (14) into a pair of beams (18,20). The pair of beams (18,20) are then subjected to a phase shift by a liquid crystal system (24) as controlled by a computer (26). The pair of beams (18,20)are then expended in order to form a fringe pattern (30) on the surface of the part (32) to be measured.

Abstract: A measurement system (10) for accurately measuring the surface geometry of a part in three dimensions includes a laser (22) for emitting a laser beam (20). An objective lens (18) receives the laser beam (20) and expands the received laser beam (20) into a diverged beam. A liquid crystal system (16) is disposed in front of the objective lens (18) with respect to the laser (22) for receiving the diverged beam. The liquid crystal system (16) receives the diverged beam and generates at least one fringe pattern (24) on a surface of a three dimensional part which is to be measured. A computer (12) is in communication with the liquid crystal system (16) to control the pitch and phase of the fringe pattern (24).