Abstract: A method for determining the stresses in a film applied to a substrate from measured substrate shape. The substrate is first analyzed using finite element techniques to obtain nodal forces at the surface of the substrate to which the film is applied, based on measured distortion data of the substrate surface. The film is then analyzed to calculate the film stresses from the applied nodal forces using finite element techniques. The invention may be applied to determine stresses in thin films applied to a variety of substrates, including those used for micro-electronic (e.g., integrated circuit) and micro-mechanical devices and/or for the lithography masks or other optical/projection systems used to fabricate such devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of simulating the deformation of a viscoelastic material in which filler is blended to a matrix made of rubber or resin, the method including the steps of dividing the viscoelastic material into a finite number of elements to form a viscoelastic material model, a step of performing deformation calculation of the viscoelastic material model based on a predetermined condition, and a step of acquiring a necessary physical amount from the deformation calculation, where the step of dividing the viscoelastic material into a finite number of elements includes a step of dividing at least one filler into a finite number of elements to form a filler model, and a step of dividing the matrix into a finite number of elements to form a matrix model.

Abstract: A solution for monitoring a property of an object and/or an area using a Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS)-based monitoring device is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, the MEMS-based monitoring device includes a MEMS-based sensing device for obtaining data based on a property of the object and/or area and a power generation device that generates power from an ambient condition of the monitoring device. In this manner, the monitoring device can operate independent of any outside power sources or other devices. Further, the monitoring device can include a transmitter that transmits a signal based on the property. The monitoring device can be used to monitor a moving component of a machine, and can be integrated with a health monitoring system of the machine using one or more relay devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the torque imposed on a rotatable shaft. The shaft has at least four paired probes, paired horizontal probes and paired vertical probes. The horizontal probes are positioned 90 degrees apart from the vertical probes. If the shaft moves horizontally, the time of arrival detected by the first horizontal probes will be later than a nominal value and the time of arrival for the second horizontal probes will be earlier than a nominal value with the same amount of error. Combining data from the first and second horizontal probes will then automatically cancel out any error from horizontal motion. Similarly, combining data from vertical probes will eliminate the error due to vertical movement. Because any radial movement is a combination of horizontal and vertical movements, the use of the probes removes errors due to movement in any direction.

Abstract: A capacitive device and method with an enhanced measurement error correction capability is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor capacitor based on one or more pairs of parallel conductor surfaces, a housing to encompass the sensor capacitor, a digitizer module in the housing to generate a digital measurement based on a change in a capacitance of the sensor capacitor when a contact zone of the housing is deflected by a force applied on the contact zone. The apparatus also includes a compensation module of the digitizer module to apply another digital measurement of one or more distortion factors to the digital measurement to minimize an effect of the one or more distortion factors to the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus includes a communication module to communicate an analog signal and/or a digital signal through a wired channel and/or a wireless channel.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for rapidly calculating the surface displacement that results from an arbitrarily shaped load on the surface of a layered substrate. Some embodiments include sparse direct calculations of surface displacement in combination with interpolation methods for estimating surface displacement at other points. Some embodiments include methods for reducing computer time required for calculating surface displacement caused by an arbitrarily shaped load on a layered surface.

Abstract: Rotatable discs combined with turbine blades in engines must be tested for critical life analysis. Thus, consideration must be made as to life expectancy for such components as a result of tensile circumferential hoops as generated by the weight of blades under rotation as well as compressive axial stress as a result of thermal gradients during initial warm up. Previous testing arrangements have considered tensile circumferential hoop stress but not compressive axial stress combinations such as “Von Mises” stress. By provision of bend structures 13, 223 a bending moment is created about a base 2, 22 formed in a test component 1, 21 such that a bending moment force 4, 24 creates a bending moment in the test component 1, 21. This bending moment results in a compressive axial stress reminiscent of that in a practical turbine engine disc as a result of initial thermal gradients. In such circumstances a more realistic testing of the component 1, 21 representative of a practical disc/blade combination is achieved.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to facilitate the entry of a sensor node and the adoption of a protocol in the existing sensor network system effectively utilizing limited resources of radiocommunication. To achieve the object, the following are provided. A sensor node has a radiocommunication unit that transmits a measured value sensed by a sensor and an identifier of a sensor node as binary measured data. A base station has a radiocommunication controller that receives the measured data from the sensor node, a wire communication controller that transmits the received measured data to a server, a conversion definition information selector that selects conversion definition information corresponding to the identifier included in the measured data out of preset plural conversion definition information and a conversion engine that converts the binary measured data to measured data in a text format based upon the selected conversion definition information.

Abstract: A wireline cable winch drum is provided that includes a core having a longitudinal axis; a pair of flanges spaced apart and extending radially outwardly from the core; and a wireline cable wrapped around the core in the space between the flanges. In one embodiment, at least one of the flanges includes an inner surface that contacts the wireline cable and forms an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core.

Abstract: In a rotation angle calculating method of a wire harness, a rotation angle of the wire harness is calculated at an arbitrary measuring point of the wire harness when the wire harness is deformed from a first shape to a second shape while a fixed point of the wire harness is fixed. The method include the steps of: setting intermediate points between the fixed point and the measuring point of the wire harness in the second shape; setting vectors at the nodes of the wire harness in the second shape as node vectors respectively; calculating angles, each of which has a rotation direction, wherein each of the angles is defined between the vectors at the adjoining nodes; and adding the angles to each other so as to calculate a rotation angle having a rotation direction at the measuring point.

Abstract: A system, method and software product to simulate guided cable contacts is disclosed. The guided cable contact includes a slave node and an associated beam. A normal vector is established between the slave node's projection point and the slave node. Each of the slave node and two end nodes of the beam has three translational degrees-of-freedom. A spring is placed between the slave node's projection point and the slave node. The spring constant is assigned such that the spring is substantially stiffer than that of the beam. The guided cable contact stiffness matrix is then calculated using the spring constant, the normal vector, the length of the beam, and the distance between the first end node of the beam and the projection point. According to one aspect, the guided cable contact may be used for modeling human spinal column.

Abstract: A system is provided for tightening fasteners. The system has a tightening tool configured to apply torque to a fastener. In addition, the system has a strain sensor configured to sense a parameter of the fastener indicative of an elongation of the fastener. Additionally, the system has a stress sensor configured to sense a parameter of the fastener indicative of magnitude of the applied torque.

Abstract: Detection of the overstepping of design loads of an aircraft tailplane may include determining current bending and twisting moments applied to the aircraft. The determined bending and twisting moments are compared with a safety envelope to determine the risk of developing permanent deformations on the tailplane. A determination is made as to whether a structural inspection of the tailplane should be performed based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting fluids for compatibility with specified metals exposed to oil field environments. Metal specimens are tested for corrosion and/or cracking behavior by exposing them to fluids under stressful test conditions. The testing is conducted under variable temperature, pressure, pH, fluid density, metallurgical stress, additives, cover gases and combinations thereof. The results from the stress testing are stored in a database. The test results are evaluated using encoded logic embedded in software media. Fluid compatibility evaluation software, developed from the stress test results, is executed to determine the cracking susceptibility of metals exposed to fluids under stressful conditions. A cracking susceptibility index can be developed to provide a quantitative indicator of cracking susceptibility. Fluid recommendation reports utilize the cracking susceptibility index values to rank compatible fluids. The reports also list optional additives to be used with the fluids.

Abstract: There is an essential limitation that only surface principal stress sum variation (?(?1+?2)) can be measured as physical quantity by a thermoelastic stress measurement technique, and furthermore respective principal stress components are unknown, and pure shearing stress acting on an object cannot be measured because it causes no temperature variation. Thus, in the present invention, when stress state of the object is measured, not only the thermoelastic stress measurement but also stress measurement (mechanoluminescence measurement) using a mechanoluminescence material is used in combination. Consequently, stress can be measured in detail; for example, principal stress component values (?1 and ?2) can be known while exceeding the principle limitation of the thermoelastic stress measurement technique.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for measuring and calculating tensile elongation of ductile metals on small diameter specimens. The method includes marking a tensile specimen with a pattern of gage markings at predetermined intervals. The tensile specimen is pulled to failure and then fitted together at the fracture. Distances between corresponding markings straddling the fracture are measured extending progressively outward from the fracture. From the measurements, elongation as a function of gage length is determined. End point elongation values (i.e., elongation at zero or near zero and infinite or very long gage lengths) are also determined. Determined elongations are scaled to reflect the values that would have been generated on a standard 0.5 inch diameter specimen. Based on the scaled elongation as a function of gage length and the end point elongation values, a value of elongation can be determined that represents a material property for FEA modeling the plastic strain behavior of a device.

Abstract: Techniques and devices are described to use spatially-varying curvature information of a layered structure to determine stresses at each location with non-local contributions from other locations of the structure. For example, a local contribution to stresses at a selected location on a layered structure formed on a substrate is determined from curvature changes at the selected location and a non-local contribution to the stresses at the selected location is also determined from curvature changes at all locations across the layered structure. Next, the local contribution and the non-local contribution are combined to determine the total stresses at the selected location.

Abstract: A system and method enable monitoring of a mechanical condition of a reciprocating compressor. The compressor includes a compressor frame, a pressure chamber, and a pressure head. A plurality of tie bolts are secured between the compressor frame and the pressure chamber head. A sensor assembly is secured to one of the plurality of tie bolts. The sensor assembly includes an elongation member positioned to extend in concert with extension of one of the tie bolts. A sensor measures extension of the elongation member to thereby monitor cylinder pressure.

Abstract: A wires laid at a predetermined bend, a bend protection member, an atmosphere temperature and the initial shape and the final bent shape of the wires and the bend protection member are designated, and infinite element models are prepared for the wires and the bend protection member. Then, stresses caused during the bending and the movement from the initial shapes to the final bent shapes are calculated for the individual infinite elements, and the maximum stresses imposed on the wires and the bend protection member are searched for among the stresses that are obtained. Then, the number of bendings for endurance, in consonance with necessary prediction functions, are obtained and the maximum stresses imposed on the wires and the bend protection member. By referring to the number of bendings for endurance, the smallest number of bendings for endurance is acquired and output.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for determining deformation of a surface of a material is provided. The method includes receiving, at a computer, an elastic deformation range and a plastic deformation range of the material. The method also includes modeling a region of the material with a mesh. The mesh includes a plurality of elements. The method also includes determining, by performing a finite element analysis on the mesh by the computer, a displacement for at least one point on each of the elements. The displacement results from a set of modeled boundary conditions. The finite element analysis includes recurrently approximating the modulus of elasticity for each element according to the elastic deformation range and the plastic deformation range. The act of approximating is based on a value of strain calculated from a previously calculated element displacement.

Abstract: A planar pressure-sensitive switch unit has multiple pressure-sensitive switches that are disposed in a longitudinal direction of a bumper cover of a vehicle with given intervals for detecting the number of collision objects. Collision load sensors are disposed between a bumper reinforcement and side members for detecting a total collision load by adding up two outputs. Then, a collision load per a single collision object is computed by dividing the total collision load by the number of collision objects and is compared with a collision load corresponding to a pedestrian. Thus, even when the vehicle collides with multiple objects at the same time, collision with a pedestrian can be properly determined.

Abstract: In a method for indirectly ascertaining the cylinder pressure during the operation of piston engines by measuring cylinder pressure-dependent parameters at crankshaft bearings of the piston engine, one essential feature is that the force which is introduced by the main bearings of the crankshaft into an engine housing is measured. For performing the method, sensors for obtaining cylinder pressure-correlating signals are disposed on the bearing screws, and that the signals generated by the sensors are carried to the outside.

Abstract: A force-moment sensor (1) is used as a switch, with which, depending on the introduction of forces and moments onto an operating part (5) of the force-moment sensor (1), software or hardware functions of a device (2, 2?) to be controlled are triggered. For this purpose, the output signals of the force-moment sensor (1) are analysed by comparisons with threshold values. The selection of a device or a function thereof does not have to be chosen in advance, but takes place while introducing a force or a moment into the sensor. The introduced forces or moments in each degree of freedom of the sensor are analysed. The selection of the device or function coincides with the driving. The device can thus be simplified since no special facilities for selecting devices or functions must be provided. Additionally, the selection and driving are accelerated by this temporal coincidence.

Abstract: A measuring instrument, in particular a flow or level meter, includes a base module for the acquisition and processing of measured data and an add-on module. Both the base module and the add-on module feature an optical interface interconnecting the base module and the add-on module. The result is a measuring instrument which, by interchanging the add-on module, can be equipped with various external interfaces without requiring any recalibration of the measuring instrument.

Abstract: Time of flight of sound to, tn propagating through fixed one face to another of the object under zero load (?o) and changed applied load (?n) respectively are measured, then stress dependent coefficient ? peculiar to material of the object can be obtained from above data and the equation determined beforehand ?=f(?tn, ?n) using stress dependent coefficient calculation circuit 12. Time of flight of sound t propagating through one face to another of the object 1 at the determined place under applied unknown load is measured next. Time of flight tn, to are measured by time of flight measurement system 11. This invention consists of the stress measurement method and the apparatus to calculate real stress caused in the practically equipped object using equation ?=f(?t, ?) determined beforehand based on time of flight t and stress dependent coefficient ? mentioned above.

Abstract: A novel displacement instrument that can be used to measure the density or modulus of an aggregate pier upon which a multistory building or parking garage can be built. The aggregate piers are often 35 feet or deeper. These aggravate piers are constructed by adding lifts of approximately 12 to 18 inches of aggregate at a time and tamping it into the pier forming hole. Each lift of aggregate is being tamped or struck by a force of approximately 15,000 psi or greater. The displacement instrument allows aggregate piers to be constructed having a density or modulus that is consistent from the bottom of the hole to the top of the hole. The displacement instrument would be mounted on the side plate of a hydraulic breaker that is mounted on the end of a boom of a crane. The displacement instrument need not be permanently installed on the side of the hydraulic breaker and it is freely removed and installed on another crane.

Abstract: A method and system are described that allow conversion of a three-dimensional representation of a wire harness to a two-dimensional representation. In one aspect, the three-dimensional representation of the wire harness is converted to a two-dimensional orthogonal representation with branches in the wire harness arranged perpendicularly. In another aspect, when more than four branches enter a single node in the wire harness, one or more of the branches are placed within a predetermined angle to the perpendicular lines. The orthogonal representation allows simplified detection of disconnects in the wire harness that are otherwise difficult to visualize in three dimensions.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is provided that includes at least one pair of interconnected T-networks. Each pair has a first T-network including a first impedance serially connected to second impedance at a first junction and a first variable resistance sensor element connected to the first junction. Each pair also has a second T-network including a third impedance serially connected to a fourth impedance at a second junction and a second variable resistance sensor element connected to the second junction. The sensor circuit further includes an operational amplifier connected to the first T-network of a selected one of the at least one pair of T-networks and a constant voltage source connected to the second T-network of the selected T-network pair.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method that provides for the calculation and prediction of hoop strength of an expanded pipe, preferably a PVC pipe or conduit. The method includes the steps of: (a) determining hoop strength as a function of relative wall thickness; (b) determining Wall Thickness Ratio (WTR) by dividing a nominal wall thickness of the original conduit by the minimum wall thickness of the expanded conduit; (c) determining long-term hydrostatic strength by at least one of hoop testing and burst testing; and (d) applying an accelerated regression analysis to the results in step (c), yielding a Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB). The resulting HDB may be plotted against WTR to provide the user with graphical data for use in making design decisions and choosing specific conduit for specific applications.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting properties based on stress wave velocity measurements, such as modulus of elasticity (MOE) and/or warp potential of trees and/or logs from a timber-based raw material group (“TBRMG”). The methods provide a formula allowing compensation for growth rate differences between stands. Accordingly, the present invention prevents underestimation or overestimation of MOE and/or warp potential.

Abstract: A method provides early estimation of product life using accelerated stress testing data. In an embodiment, data measured from a product operating in a first, high-stress environment is used to predict how long the product will operate in a second, normal operating environment before failure using a quadratic acceleration model. An additional feature of the present invention provides a quantified indication of how much the product has improved from a redesign.

Abstract: A method for modeling the interaction of granular material with equipment includes the steps of numerically representing the material with an array having a plurality of cells, determining which of the cells may be unstable using a self-organizing computational model, and modeling the motion of the unstable cells using the model. Preferably, output is provided in virtual reality format in real time.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power steering system, including a steering column and a power steering motor. The column has an upper part bearing a steering wheel and a lower part acting on a mechanical steering device. A setpoint at which the motor should apply a power assist to the steering column is set on the basis of information concerning the torque exerted on the steering wheel. The information is obtained by measuring angles at the steering wheel and at the lower part of the column, and the setpoint is established by comparing the two angle measurements, taking into account the rigidity of the steering column between the two angle-measuring points.

Abstract: A posture angle processing apparatus includes a magnetic sensor, a gravitational acceleration sensor, a position information acquisition device, and a dip angle database device wherein a correlation of the absolute location and a geomagnetic dip angle at the corresponding point is stored. Based on the absolute location of the current point, a dip angle estimation and determination device reads the geomagnetic dip angle at the current point, calculates an angle formed by a horizontal plane and the magnetic vector, compares the angle formed by the magnetic vector and the horizontal plane with the geomagnetic dip angle of the current point, and outputs either a true signal or a false signal depending on the error between the angle and the geomagnetic dip angle.

Abstract: A method of determining performance characteristics and/or internal structural features of hyperelastic polymer materials includes performing at least one macro-level loading experiment on a sample comprised of a given composition. From the macro-level loading experiment, a set of internal structural features are determined. More particularly, tensile and compressive uniaxial loading data is collected and fit with a stress-strain function being a ratio of two polynomials. A curve fit analysis yields a set of coefficients relating the uniaxial loading data to the stress-strain function. From these coefficients, a set of statistical parameters are calculated, yielding information about internal microstructural features of the polymer composition, and therefore, performance characteristics of a part comprised of the given polymer composition.

Abstract: A device and method for processing binary program files includes transferring a binary program file in the form of binary data packets over a communication network between a transmission device of a server platform and a reception device of a target platform. The reception device reorders the packets suitable for forming reordered-packet groups. A processor successively analyzes the reordered-packet groups so as to identify portions of code and processes the analyzed packets as soon as a portion of code has been identified.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identifying structural stress conditions for computer hardware. The apparatus includes a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of monitoring a physical condition affecting a computer hardware component, recognizing a potential damage condition based on a threshold, and responding to the potential damage condition. These modules in the described embodiments include a monitoring module, a recognition module, and a response module. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would identify potential damage conditions and alert a user to the potential damage condition before physical damage to the computer hardware component occurs. The user can then alleviate the physical condition affecting the computer component and avoid component damage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing structural test data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes applying a sequence of loads to a test article, receiving raw test data indicative of the applied loads from at least one sensor operatively associated with the test article, receiving predicted test data indicative of the predicted loads on the test article, filtering out invalid test data, cycle counting to pair loads in the test data, performing a first fatigue damage computation based on the raw test data, performing a second fatigue damage computation based on the predicted test data, and comparing the first and second fatigue damage computations. The filtering, cycle counting, and performing of the first and second fatigue damage computations, and the comparison of the first and second fatigue damage computations, may be performed simultaneously using a spreadsheet program.

Abstract: A method of estimating the displaced size of a knot in a lumber piece includes the steps of: translating the lumber piece downstream along a flow path between a radiation source and sensor while simultaneously irradiating the lumber piece with radiation from the first radiation source whereby the radiation is attenuated by the lumber piece; collecting a set of radiation intensity data from the radiation sensor as the lumber piece is irradiated; processing the set of radiation intensity data to sum the radiation intensity data and to provide radiation intensity profiles transversely of the flow path direction and corresponding density profiles transversely of the flow path direction; mapping the density profiles to model a set of three dimensional density profiles of the lumber piece; processing the radiation intensity data to determine a clear wood density threshold value for the lumber piece and a maximum density value of the density profiles; and, computing a ratio of the summed density profile values to th

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for determining the integrity of a sealed container utilizing one or more force signals which are converted into absolute force units is disclosed, providing a method that uses quantitative parameters, and can be validated. The force signals are measured in multiple data collection channels, and can be individually enabled or disabled by an operator to facilitate machine setup and troubleshooting. A user interface provides a display showing the force applied during the container-sealing process, as well as summary information regarding the status of multiple container-sealing machines in a production line.

Abstract: A system and method for statistically analyzing a structural member design is provided to obtain a probability that the structural design will meet predetermined design criteria. The present invention provides for numerous spreadsheets, interrelated by way of a macro, to performing statistical analysis on a design, wherein one spreadsheet accepts design input variables. The design input variables are then evaluated by a number of recommended design criteria. If the design fails to meet the recommended design criteria, the user can establish the design (e.g., optimize it in one embodiment) using the optimization spreadsheet. The optimization spreadsheet established the structural member design by automatically adjusting various design inputs so that the structural member design satisfies as many design criteria as possible.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is provided that includes a first T-network including a first impedance serially connected to a second impedance at a first junction and a first variable resistance sensor element connected at a first end to the first junction and at a second end to ground. The sensor circuit also includes a second T-network including a third impedance serially connected to a fourth impedance at a third junction and a second variable resistance sensor element having first and second sensor element ends. The first sensor element end is connected to the third junction and the fourth impedance is connected to the second junction. The sensor circuit further includes a constant voltage source connected to the third impedance and to ground. The second end of the second variable resistance sensor element is connected to a fourth junction intermediate the constant voltage source and ground.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for use in a vehicle seat cushion for detecting the presence of an occupant includes a first member defining an internal bore. A second member has a portion slidably disposed in the bore of the first member. The first member is movably mounted relative to the first member about an axis. A spring biases the first member relative to the second member. A sensor device is mounted in one of the first and second members.

Abstract: A simulation method includes the step of momently measuring a value of each of a strain, a strain speed, and a stress generated in the viscoelastic material, deriving time history data of a viscous drag, the strain speed and the stress, thereby deriving a relationship among the strain, the strain speed, and the viscous drag and setting the product as a product model whose performance is analyzed; inputting the relationship to the product model; and computing a stress and strain of a deviation component by using a deviation main strain and a deviation main strain speed converted from an entire coordinate system into a main strain coordinate system and a main strain speed coordinate system respectively to thereby conduct a simulation in consideration of a change of the viscous drag which occurs in dependence of a variation of the strain and the strain speed.

Abstract: Structural stress in a fatigue-prone region of a structure is determined by using the nodal forces and displacement values in the fatigue-prone region, or equilibrium-equivalent simple stress states consistent with elementary structural mechanics in the fatigue-prone region. The determination is substantially independent of mesh size and is particularly well-suited for applications where S-N curves are used in weld fatigue design and evaluation, where S represents nominal stress or stress range and N represents the number of cycles to failure.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the pitch and roll static torques (PST and RST) on a slider in a disk drive head-suspension assembly (HSA) during manufacturing assures that each HSA is manufactured with acceptable PST and RST values. The method includes measuring each slider's pitch and roll static attitudes (PSA and RSA) and determining each HSA's pitch and roll torsional stiffnesses. These values are then used to calculate the required amount of adjustment to PSA and RSA to achieve the desired values of PST and RST for each HSA. The suspension is then adjusted, such as by heating the flexure with a laser.

Abstract: Whether a motion state of leg bodies (2) is a single stance state or a double stance state is sequentially determined and a total reaction force (F) is estimated on the basis of an equation of motion for a center of gravity (G0) of a bipedal walking body (1). If the motion state is the single stance state, then the estimated value of the total floor reaction force (F) is directly used as an estimated value of the floor reaction force of the leg body (2). If the motion state is the double stance state, then a floor reaction force (Fr) of the leg body (2) at the rear side is determined, using measurement data of elapsed time of the double stance state and moving speed of a bipedal walking body (1) and pre-established characteristic data, and the floor reaction force (Fr) is subtracted from the total floor reaction force (F) to determine a floor reaction force (Ff) of the leg body (2) at the front side.

Abstract: A method of determining the elastoplastic behavior of components, in particular of gas turbine plants, at high temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to connection of corresponding points measured by a computer vision system. The points are indicated by an illuminator (LASER), by means of which several points can be illuminated on the surface of the object at the same time. A camera system (CAM1, CAM2) measures the positions of the points. Using a data system (DTE), projection images are generated from a three-dimensional model of the object, in which images the positions of the points are calculated. To locate the actual point in the image perceived by the cameras, a search is performed in an area in the neighborhood of coordinates calculated from the point in the projection image. The point thus located can be connected to the perceptions of the other cameras by the aid of the projection images. After the corresponding points have been found, the actual three-dimensional coordinates of the measured point are calculated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for determining deformation of a surface of a material is provided. The method includes receiving, at a computer, an elastic deformation range and a plastic deformation range of the material. The method also includes modeling a region of the material with a mesh. The mesh includes a plurality of elements. The method also includes determining, by performing a finite element analysis on the mesh by the computer, a displacement for at least one point on each of the elements. The displacement results from a set of modeled boundary conditions. The finite element analysis includes recurrently approximating the modulus of elasticity for each element according to the elastic deformation range and the plastic deformation range. The act of approximating is based on a value of strain calculated from a previously calculated element displacement.