Abstract: The invention is an improved method and apparatus for non-contact measurement of three dimensional object surfaces. Light planes, projected from each side of a video sensor, intersect along the center field of view of the video sensor, and exit the field of view of the video sensor on the opposite side of the video sensor from the point of projection. The light planes illuminate object surfaces that are sensed by the video sensor. Electronic circuits measure the edge position and width of points illuminated by the light planes on the object surface, and provide the measurement data to a digital computer. The apparatus has no moving parts except a mechanism providing motion of the object relative to the apparatus, so to progressively view the entire object. Calibration methods compensate for the effects of mechanical alignment errors, and distortions of the video sensor optical lens.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method and apparatus for non-contact measurement of three dimensional object surfaces. Light planes, projected from each side of a video sensor, intersect along the center field of view of the video sensor, and exit the field of view of the video sensor on the opposite side of the video sensor from the point of projection. The light planes illuminate object surfaces that are sensed by the video sensor. Electronic circuits measure the edge position and width of points illuminated by the light planes on the object surface, and provide the measurement data to a digital computer. The apparatus has no moving parts except a mechanism providing motion of the object relative to the apparatus, so to progressively view the entire object. Calibration methods compensate for the effects of mechanical alignment errors, and distortions of the video sensor optical lens.