Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object surface with a line scanner, the line scanner including a projector and a camera, the projector projecting onto the object surface a first line of light at a first time and a second line of light at a second time, the integrated energy of the second line of light different than the first line of light, the camera capturing the reflections of the first line of light and the second line of light, a processor processing the collected data after discarding portions of the image that are saturated or dominated by electrical noise, and determining three-dimensional coordinates of the object surface based at least in part on the processed data and on a baseline distance.

Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of a surface includes providing a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, providing a measurement device coupled to the first end, the measurement device including a camera having a lens and a photosensitive array and moving the camera to first and second positions and orientations to capture first and second images. Based on data from the camera, a first set of cardinal points common to the first and images and the second images are used to form a 3D coordinates that describe the surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the three dimensional coordinates of points on the surface of an object. The method includes providing a structured light scanner and a coordinate measurement device. The coordinate measurement device tracks the location and orientation of the structured light scanner during operation. The location and orientation data is combined with image frames captured by the scanner to allow registration of the image frames relative to each other. The three-dimensional coordinates of points on the surface of the object may then be determined in the frame of reference of the coordinate measurement device.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the three dimensional coordinates of points on the surface of an object. The method includes providing a structured light scanner and a coordinate measurement device. The coordinate measurement device tracks the location and orientation of the structured light scanner during operation. The location and orientation data is combined with image frames captured by the scanner to allow registration of the image frames relative to each other. The three-dimensional coordinates of points on the surface of the object may then be determined in the frame of reference of the coordinate measurement device.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. A device configured to emit a coded structured light onto an object to determine the three dimensional coordinates of a point on the object.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measuring machine for measuring the coordinates of an object in space is provided including a manually positionable articulated arm portion having a plurality of connected arm segments that include position transducers that provide position signals. A probe assembly connected to an arm segment includes a non-contact measurement device having a projector and a camera separated by a baseline distance. The projector includes a light source that emits a line of light. The camera includes an image sensor having an array of pixels that receives the light reflected from the object in a sensor plane. A first processor of the camera, coupled to the image sensor, determines centroids from the received light. A second processor coupled to the first processor determines three-dimensional coordinates of points on the object based at least in part on the centroids provided by the processor, the positions, and the baseline distance.

Abstract: A method for performing a diagnostic or calibration procedure on a portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM). The AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals. The AACMM also includes an electronic circuit having a self-contained operating environment that includes a user interface application and a display device in communication with the user interface application. In addition, a measurement device is attached to the first end of the AACMM. The user interface application and display device are configured to facilitate performing and displaying results of a diagnostic or calibration procedure on the AACMM.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) includes a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, the articulated arm including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal resulting in the articulated arm having a plurality of position transducers. The AACMM also includes a base section connected to the second end; and a probe assembly connected to the first end, the probe assembly having a probe end, an inner core, and a handle; wherein the probe end is fixed with respect to the inner core, the handle is configured to rotate about the inner core, and the probe end is configured to measure a three-dimensional coordinate of a point in space.

Abstract: A laser line probe (LLP) configured to measure an object is provided. The LLP includes a projector, a camera, a bracket, and an electronic circuit. The projector includes a light source, a first lens system and a continuously varying neutral density filter. The projector is configured for generating a line of light having a substantially even intensity distribution and for projecting the line of light onto the object. The camera includes a second lens system and a photosensitive array. The second lens system is configured to collect the light reflected by or scattered off the object as a first collected light and to image the first collected light onto the photosensitive array. The electronic circuit includes a processor and is configured to determine three-dimensional coordinates of a plurality of points of light projected on the object by the projector.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. The probe end has a fastener and a first connector. A device is removably coupled to the probe end by the fastener, the accessory having a second connector arranged to engage the first connector when the fastener couples the device to the probe end.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. A device configured to emit a coded structured light onto an object to determine the three dimensional coordinates of a point on the object.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) includes a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, the articulated arm including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal resulting in the articulated arm having a plurality of position transducers. The AACMM also includes a base section connected to the second end; and a probe assembly connected to the first end, the probe assembly having a probe end, an inner core, and a handle; wherein the probe end is fixed with respect to the inner core, the handle is configured to rotate about the inner core, and the probe end is configured to measure a three-dimensional coordinate of a point in space.

Abstract: A method for performing a diagnostic or calibration procedure on a portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM). The AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals. The AACMM also includes an electronic circuit having a self-contained operating environment that includes a user interface application and a display device in communication with the user interface application. In addition, a measurement device is attached to the first end of the AACMM. The user interface application and display device are configured to facilitate performing and displaying results of a diagnostic or calibration procedure on the AACMM.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) having integrated software controls. The AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals. The AACMM also includes a measurement device attached to the first end of the AACMM, and an electronic circuit having a self-contained operating environment for the AACMM. The self-contained operating environment includes a user interface application, an application programming interface, and logic.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. The probe end has a fastener and a first connector. A device is removably coupled to the probe end by the fastener, the accessory having a second connector arranged to engage the first connector when the fastener couples the device to the probe end.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) includes a manually positionable arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal, a measurement device attached to a first end of the AACMM, and an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from the transducers and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. Implementing the portable AACMM includes identifying a source device from which data is received by determining a transmission path through which the data is transmitted, the source device removably attached to the first end of the AACMM, determining a data type of the data based upon identification of the source device, performing an action on the data responsive to the data type, and outputting results of performing the action to a destination device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine, including a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, the arm including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal, a measurement device attached to a first end of the articulated arm coordinate measurement machine, an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, at least one sensor element, which is disposed on the articulated arm coordinate measurement machine, that is responsive to electromagnetic radiation and produces an electrical signal in response to a temperature of an object and an electronic system that converts the electrical signal into a temperature value.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) can include a manually positionable articulated arm portion, a measurement device attached to the first end, a structural component of the AACMM, wherein the structural component has an axial direction, at least three strain gage sensors, each having a sensitive axis, coupled to the structural component, wherein the sensitive axis of each strain gage sensor is oriented approximately parallel to the axial direction, each strain gage sensor is approximately intersected by a transverse plane perpendicular to the axial direction, each strain gage sensor produces an analog strain gage signal, and the strain gage sensors are disposed to provide data sufficient to determine a bending strain at any point residing on both the structural component and the transverse plane and an electronic circuit that receives the position signal and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device.