Patent ID: 6781703
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
A system for non-contact dimensional measurement of an essentially circularly symmetric workpiece, comprising:a processor; a memory coupled to the processor and including a sensor arm module, a sensor head module, and a wireframe module; a sensor arm movable in lateral, longitudinal, and transverse directions and in communication with the processor; and a sensor head coupled to the sensor arm, the sensor head including, a light source for producing a light to contact a surface of the essentially circularly symmetric workpiece, and a detector for sensing a portion of reflected light from the workpiece, the detector generating a signal indicative of the proximity of the workpiece, wherein the sensor arm and head modules direct the sensor arm and sensor head to perform proximity measurements along three parallel, lateral tracks extending along a longitudinal length by moving the sensor head in proximity to and continuously along each lateral track, wherein the wireframe module determines a curve fit of the workpiece based on the proximity measurements and further determines the diameters of the workpiece along the longitudinal length the centers corresponding to the diameters, and generates a workpiece profile.