Patent ID: 6078846
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B25J,G01B,G01S

Abstract:
A movable gauging system of the type having at least one movable member that is movable within an external measurement zone having associated therewith an external coordinate system, comprising:a non-contact sensor having associated therewith a field of view defining a sensor measurement zone and disposed on the movable member so that said non-contact sensor is moveable in association with the movable member within said external measurement zone;at least one target structure having a three-dimensional framework that defines at least three non-collinear, non-coplanar structural lines, said at least one target structure having a known location within said external measurement zone relative to said external coordinate system;said non-contact sensor being positionable by said movable member so that said target structure is located within said field of view of the sensor for sensing the spatial location and orientation of said at least one target structure within said sensor measurement zone; anda coordinate translation system connected to said non-contact sensor for calibrating the gauging system to said external coordinate system, said coordinate translation system performing a geometric transformation for linking said sensor measurement zone with said external coordinate system and generating gauging reference coordinates which compensate for positional error associated with the moveable member.