Abstract:
The invention describes a non-contact surface measurement systems, methods and apparatus which provides data to computers so that the topography of the surface of an object can be digitally recreated, prepared as 3-D images so that tool paths can be created from the data. Resulting cavities may be formed in selected materials to safely encapsulate artifacts, art objects, or fragile and other valuable items for moving or storing these objects.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Surface measurement apparatuses have been limited in use with artifacts and valuable art subjects because of methods that require physical contact. Most curators of art objects will not allow laser beams to contact surfaces, whether for topographical measurement (beamed or pulsed) or any other purpose.  
         [0002]     Another problem regarding current optical measurement apparatuses involves shadowing of the light beam or obstruction of the sensor&#39;s view due to features associated with the surface of the the object to be measured and eventually packaged. Additionally, present systems require operators skilled in the art of computer aided design (CAD) to manually recreate surfaces that appear as shadows, gaps or voids due to the non-reflectivity of transparent objects such as glass items.  
         [0003]     An additional problem that remains regarding measuring and packaging precious objects is that present systems provide “overlaps” created by moving the object or the measurement system in an arc around the object. Movement of either the object or system create several planes around the object. This multiplicity of planes requires additional significant time by the CAD operator to define a single plane in order to create the proper tool path for a two part enclosure.  
         [0004]     Also, a considerable hurdle that remains with present measuring systems is that they possess single or dual laser measurement devices to create the measurement points. Single and dual laser systems require focusing on all aspects of the object or the object must be rotated in order to allow for providing adequate measurements around all necessary convex surfaces.  
       FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0005]     This invention relates to non-contact surface measurement methods, apparatuses and systems that provide data to digital computers and more particularly an apparatus capable of high data rates so that the topography of the surface can be easily and rapidly digitally recreated. The invention allows for tool paths to be created from the data and cavities to be formed to safely encapsulate artifacts, fragile items and other valuables for moving or storing.  
       DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
       [0006]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,544,921 and 5,745,666 to Gilley, et. al, describes a computer implemented method of displaying a three-dimensional model having one or more surfaces and mapping an array of grid points and applying a contouring function to the array.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,862 to Kacyra, et. al, describes an apparatus for imaging and modeling three dimensional objects using an imaging module for emitting a laser beam for scanning the surface of a remote object and recording data points corresponding to the points on the surface of the object.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,523 to Kacyra, et. al, describes a pulsed laser beam and a means for generating a point cloud based upon the measured time delays and angle measurements with the point cloud being a plurality of data points that each represents a location of a corresponding point on the surface.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,734,849 to Dimsdale, et. al, describes a method for fitting a point cloud representing a corner using fitting algorithms to determine the three planes of the corner.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,468 to Dimsdale, et. al, describes a laser calibration system where a single optical fiber of known length is used to determine the time it takes for a laser beam to be emitted and detected from a reflected surface at a known distance and comparitively analyzed against the known length to determine an adjusted length translating into a distance measurement.  
         [0011]     U.S. Patent Application 20030117411A1 to Fujiwara, et. al., describes a texture mapping method that utilizes calculating a mapping value by means of a weighted average to fill gaps and voids in the point cloud obtained when scanning a surface of an object. Gaps and voids are systematically detected and point clouds are mathmatically created to anticipate the representative topography of the object.  
         [0012]     U.S. Patent Application 20040051720A1 to Hall, et. al., describes a method for a customer to measure and define an object topography and provide computer data to an offsite location. The data is then manipulated into providing a cutting file for a computer numerical control robotic tool that provides manufacturing capability for a generic model of the customers product.  
         [0013]     PCT Patent Application W004044689A3 to Yau, et. al., describes a mathmatical method for recognizing and analyzing a geometric surface and calculating conforming corresponding surfaces using recognized geometric shapes.  
         [0014]     Chinese Patent Number 86102666A to Wang, Yanying, describes a three step process using digital mapping, autotracking and autocutting to manufacture reproductions of original pieces of art without the necessity of artists.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,328 to Bontrager, Rick, describes a hinged blank formed to act as a cushion to protect a fragile part for shipping comprising a block of material shaped to conform to the shape of the part. The cutout foam is linear and comprises V features that allow it to be folded and conform to various size objects.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,328 to Bontrager, Rick, describes a method of forming a single piece of polyurethane foam packing from a blank by using a cutting die. This is a divisional patent of U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,328.  
         [0017]     European Patent Number 0477620A3 to Williams, Earnest, describes a protector for protecting or supporting fragile articles produced by cutting from resilient material, in slab or sheet form, the members being interfitted so as to extend around the article or articles. The protector includes members which when assembled together, conform interiorly in part at least to the surface profile of the article or articles to be protected.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,055 to Lacy III, Curtis, describes a package for delicate items having a hinged base with a cavity with base side flanges that surround the item and are hinged to each other and a cover engageable with the base.  
         [0019]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,900 to Ceaser, et. al., describes a bore making apparatus to form blocks of foam using resistive heating elements to cut the material. Each forming member is set to a cross sectional shape and aligned in an array.  
         [0020]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,685 to Graham, et. al., describes a process for making containers for fragile items and automatically inserting items into the containers. It pertains to a cardboard box shaping machine.  
         [0021]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,079 to Dimsdale, et. al., describes a method of measuring an object by segmenting the field of scanned points into scalar values and then converting the scalar values into binary data and applying recursive techniques to create an image. This application is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,862.  
         [0022]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,512,518 to Dimsdale, et. al., describes a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,079 wherein an area of a computer generated image may be chosen and selectively refined as to create a preferred image. This application is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,862.  
         [0023]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,771,840 and 6,804,380 to Ioannou, et. al., describes an apparatus for defining a first set of seed points used to display a feature and subsequent seed points to further use in triangulation in order to create measurements and three dimensional images. Further definition includes a computer for identifying and generating points and determining a tie-point target for generating an image.  
         [0024]     U.S. Patent Application 20030065689A1 to Asai, et. al., describes a method for creating images using a Riemannian manifold to perform an approximation of where the points would be and constructing an image based on these points.  
         [0025]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,683 to Kacyra, et. al., describes a method for operating a laser scanner, scanning to create a field survey which has a number of scan points identifying the corresponding points of interest. This application is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,406,  
         [0026]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,640 to Miramonti, et. al., describes a digital scanner with a color detector responsive to a broad band of visible light. It is operated through a computer and selective points are interrogated on an object, colors analyzed and a 3D image is generated.  
         [0027]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,822 to Sinclair, et. al., describes an apparatus for digitizing an object and creating a 3D image using planar sheets of light and analyzing the angles created to define contours of the object.  
         [0028]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,401 to Addleman, et. al., describes an apparatus for illuminating a surface, moving the surface in relation to a scanning device, determining the position of the points along the surface and computer generating a contoured image of the surface.  
         [0029]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,549,288 to Migdal, et. al., describes a system that generates a light stripe on an object and intersecting points on the contour are measured via triangulation to create a representative 3-D computer generated image.  
         [0030]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,249 to Kofinan, et. al., describes a method of obtaining 3-D data from an object by overlapping views and providing computional information to provide for transformations into a common reference frame.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0031]     One objective of the present invention is to provide a non-contact texture mapping system readable by a computer for defining a plurality of texture images where mapping positions are determined that allow for mapping the texture images onto the surface of a three-dimensional object.  
         [0032]     The texture mapping system of the present invention comprises three laser measurement devices so that the central laser measurement device is equidistant from the outer two laser measurement devices. The outer two laser measurement devices are positioned such that they are on the same plane such that the outer laser measurment devices (left and right) are angled towards the central laser measurement device so that when they are operational the outer beams intersect the central beam at a selected point. This positioning helps determine the focal length of the laser measurement module array and is selected by the user of the system. The three laser measurement modules provide minimally two points for measurement around curvatures and textures of the objects without any need for turning or moving the object or measurement system.  
         [0033]     Another objective of the invention is to provide a device and method for creating virtual surfaces where shadow, gaps, and/or voids appear due to objects that have voids themselves or are transparent. Presently those skilled in the art of computer aided design (CAD) are required to manually manipulate the data in order to create surfaces that otherwise do not appear to exist with present measuring device equipment.  
         [0034]     The device of the present invention also provides a surface for the system to measure against in proximity of where the gap, void or shadow exists, thereby quickly creating a virtual surface.  
         [0035]     Another objective of this invention is a method to define a virtual single plane through the object being measured. This single plane defines the parting line of the cavity portions that will be created for the object. This plane is defined during calibration of the laser measurement module array whereby the measurement system, when moved longitudinally along the system X-axis, defines focal points that are equidistant from the X-axis of the measurement system.  
         [0036]     These points define both the measurement focal length and the cavity plane. The object to be measured and eventually packaged is then properly positioned by the user so that the cavity plane defines two portions (a front and rear) of the object. The cavity plane is user definable at the site and takes into account the inner dimensions of the shipping or storage container which define the outer dimensions of the cavity portions.  
         [0037]     Another objective of this invention is that the system is portable and that the system may be used in rooms or spaces of varying sizes and with objects of varying dimensions.  
         [0038]     Another objective of this invention is to provide a system and method for capturing measurement data from the object and storing it on portable memory devices for transmittal off-site for manipulation utilizing computer aided manufacturing (CAM) processes for creation of the cavity portions.  
         [0039]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for obtaining non-contact surface measurement data pertaining to the topography of the surface of artifacts and valuable art objects has been developed and is described. The device and methods provide data to digital computers so that the topography of the surface can be digitally stored, recreated, transmitted to an appropriate CAD software program such as Soildworks® and tool paths can be created from the data so that cavities may be formed to safely encapsulate artifacts, fragile items and other valuables for moving or storing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates the major components of the system of the present invention  FIG. 2  illustrates in greater detail the ssytem components of the measurement module, 3-axis coordinate system and a visualization of the virtual plane on the stand.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  illustrates the use of the wand in creating a virtual cloud of points near the object being measured.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram comprising a computer system and indicating the relationship to the measurement module and the numerical tool machine.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS  
       [0043]     The invention is a method and apparatus for automated measurement of three-dimensional surfaces. The surface is sensed and determined via a non-contact optical triangulation means and the optically produced image is measured by electronic means the signals of which are transmitted to a digital computer.  
         [0044]     The electronic measurements are sent to a digital computer for storage, analysis and other functions. The invention allows for a significant reduction of time (speed) and relative simplicity that provides for alleviating shadowing, gaps and voids from surface irregularities when making the automated measurements. These quick and relatively precise measurements eventually allow for manufacture of cavities and subsequent packaging, normally within several hours. Heretofore, the measurement techniques and subsequent packaging often requires days or even weeks to provide suitable cavities for artifacts and objects of art with an associated high value. Laser light repsonse is transmitted to electronic circuits to detect and measure points on the line and transfer the data to a digital computer.  
         [0045]      FIG. 1  illustrates a measurement system [ 100 ] in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the measurement system [ 100 ] includes a measurement module [ 110 ] laser measurement device assembly [ 120 ], a three coordinate (x, y, z) axis system [ 130 ], object [ 140 ] being measured, a virtual plane that defines two mating surfaces [ 150 ], computer system [ 160 ], and a numerical tool [ 170 ].  
         [0046]      FIG. 2  illustrates a calibration device [ 210 ] placed on a stand [ 220 ] or platform [ 221 ] comprising a linear bar [ 211 ] placed on the stand [ 220 ] or platform [ 221 ] and a central pin [ 212 ] a left pin [ 213 ] and a right pin [214] is used to calibrate the laser device assembly [ 120 ] that includes the central laser measurement device (LMD) [ 121 ], a left outer LMD [ 122 ], a right outer LMD [ 123 ] and an LMD mounting support [ 124 ].  
         [0047]     This calibration device [ 210 ] defines the virtual plane [ 150 ] used to determine the parting line [ 230 ] of the cavity portions [ 240 ,  241 ] of the selected packaging material [ 243 ] and the mating surface for which each portion of the cavity will be created.  
         [0048]     Each LMD contains an electronics reading device for detecting the change in integrity of the beam [ 280 ] when the beam [ 280 ] is emitted and when the beam is detected (reflected) off a pin [ 212 ,  213 ,  214 ] or an object [ 140 ].  
         [0049]     The LMD mounting support [ 124 ] is fastened to the Z-axis ways [ 310 ] of the three coordinate axis system [ 130 ] and is moved longitudinally in the +/− Z-axis direction by a z-axis motor [ 255 ]. The Z-axis motor [ 255 ] may be either a stepper motor or a servo motor. The Z-axis ways [ 250 ] resides on the Y-axis ways [ 260 ] which is driven longitudinally by the Y-axis motor [ 265 ].  
         [0050]     The Y-axis motor [ 265 ] may be either a stepper motor or a servo motor. The Y-axis ways [ 260 ] resides on the X-axis ways [ 270 ] which is driven longitudinally by the X-axis motor [ 275 ]. The X-axis motor [ 275 ] may be either a stepper motor or a servo motor.  
         [0051]      FIG. 3  includes a wand [ 300 ] which is held in proximity of the object [ 140 ] to create a virtual surface on which to create a point cloud [ 310 ] by the beams [ 280 ] onto the wand face [ 320 ]. The generation of a plurality of points in space is commonly referred to as a point cloud [ 310 ].  
         [0052]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram describing the computer system [ 160 ] and its components including a central processing unit (CPU) [ 410 ] that is connected to a memory device [ 420 ] including a memory access device [ 430 ], such as a disk drive or a networking card which allows the programmed instructions to be transferred to a memory circuit [ 440 ] to or from an external medium, a display [ 450 ] a keyboard [ 460 ] and a mouse [ 470 ]. The method of data transfer maybe wired or more preferably wireless.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0053]     The computer system [ 160 ] also includes a central processing unit (CPU) [ 410 ] that is connected to memory [ 420 ] from which the CPU [ 410 ] generates 3D point data by processing the measured data in response to the program instructions and input from a user. The computer system [ 160 ] also includes a memory access device [ 430 ], such as a disk drive or a networking card, which is connected to memory [ 420 ] and CPU [ 410 ].  
         [0054]     The memory access device [ 430 ] allows the program instructions and information to be transferred to memory [ 420 ] from an external medium, such as a disk or a networked computer or allows the measured data or the 3D point data from memory [ 420 ] or CPU [ 430 ] to be transferred to an external medium. In addition, the computer system [ 160 ] includes a visual display [ 440 ] that is connected to a CPU [ 410 ] which is used to display images to the user which are necessary for the user to interact with the program and conduct any necessary modifications to the image to ensure a proper cavity will be developed and eventually cut.  
         [0055]     The computer system [ 160 ] also includes user-input devices such as a keyboard [ 450 ] and a pointing device, such as a mouse [ 460 ], which is connected to the CPU [ 410 ] and preferrably is a wireless system which is operated by the user to interact with the computer system [ 160 ] and associated software programs.  
         [0056]     The computer system [ 160 ] also includes a computer aided design (CAD) software program, such as SolidWorks®, TurboCAD® and others that are readily available for purchase on the market today, allowing for manipulation of a plurality of points of light referred to as the point cloud [ 310 ] data into 3-dimensional (3-D) renditions from the 2-dimensional form initially displayed [ 440 ].  
         [0057]     Gaps, voids, and/or shadows are then identifiable on the display [ 440 ] and the user may elect to rescan the object [ 140 ] in a selected area wherein the wand [ 300 ] may be held in proximity of the object [ 140 ] and used to create a point cloud [ 310 ] of a virtual surface where a surface was not detected previously.  
         [0058]     Detection of gaps, voids, and/or shadows presently require one skilled in the art of CAD to manually create the topography of the object [ 140 ] or algorithms involving weighted averages to attempt to determine the topography, whereas the use of the wand [ 300 ] allows the user to quickly create a represenative topography of the object [ 140 ] without necessity of additional skilled personnel and expense.  
         [0059]     The additional point cloud [ 310 ] generated by scanning the wand [ 300 ] is then merged into a CAD program to create a 3-D wireframe rendition of the object [ 140 ].  
         [0060]     In a preferred embodiment of the wand [ 300 ] is a non-contact device comprised of a linear handle and an opaque surface [ 320 ] attached to an end providing a surface for the beams [ 280 ] to reflect off of thereby creating a point of light or a plurality of points in a selected area generating a point cloud [ 310 ].  
         [0061]     The computer system [ 160 ] preferably also includes a computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software program, such as MasterCam®, that allows for manipulation of the point cloud [ 310 ] and 3-D wireframe rendition into tool paths for machining the cavities in the packaging material [ 240 , 241 , 243 ].  
         [0062]     It is not necessary for the on-site user to have the CAM software installed on their computer since in the preferred embodiment of this invention it is desirable to have the packaging material [ 240 , 241 , 243 ] machined at a remote site by the numerical tooling [ 170 ].  
         [0063]     Numerical tooling [ 170 ] may be further defined as a device that is used in manufacturing a component wherein the device has motors that are computer controlled to create tool paths using a user defined cutting file.  
         [0064]     The measurement system [ 100 ] and three coordinate axis system [ 130 ] is physically set up in a users area in proximity of the object [ 140 ] to be measured.  
         [0065]     A calibration bar [ 210 ] is placed on a stand [ 220 ] or platform [ 221 ] at the users site to calibrate the measurement module [ 110 ] and laser measurement device (LMD) assembly [ 120 ] roughly approximating a distance parallel to the X-axis ways [ 270 ] of the measurement system [ 100 ]. The computer system [ 160 ] and wiring harness is then attached to the measurement module [ 110 ]. Power is applied to the computer system [ 160 ] which is then brought to an operational state.  
         [0066]     The center LMD [ 121 ], right LMD [ 122 ] and left LMD [ 123 ] are then brought to an operational state by powering the laser. The three coordinate axis system [ 130 ] is then manipulated with the computer system [ 160 ] to move the Z-axis motor [ 255 ], Y-axis motor [ 265 ] and X-axis motor [ 275 ] causing the laser measurement device assermbly [ 120 ] to move until the central LMD [ 121 ] beam [ 280 ] is focused on the central pin [ 212 ] of the calibration bar [ 210 ].  
         [0067]     The right LMD [ 122 ] and left LMD [ 123 ] are then angularly rotated toward the central LMD [ 121 ] until the beams [ 280 ] from the LMDs being calibrated converge thereby creating a focal point on the central pin [ 212 ] of the calibration bar [ 210 ].  
         [0068]     Full focus is determined by the user and depends primarily on the shape of the masked or filtered laser beams.  
         [0069]     A round or “dot” pattern is possible as are other geometries such as a cross, diamond, or alphabetic letter arrangement.  
         [0070]     The cross arrangement seems to be preferable, but other geometries are being tested. This operation is independent of whether the right LMD [ 122 ] or the left LMD [ 123 ] is sequentially next to be calibrated.  
         [0071]     The sequence is then repeated for the remaining LMD.  
         [0072]     Once the beams [ 280 ] from the central LMD [ 121 ], right LMD [ 122 ] and left LMD [ 123 ]are uniformly focused, the user then manipulates the computer system [ 160 ] to command the X-axis motor [ 275 ] to move the laser measurement device assembly [ 120 ] laterally along the X-axis ways [ 270 ] until the beams [ 280 ] from the central LMD [ 121 ], right LMD [ 122 ], and left LMD [ 123 ] are approximately focused on either the right pin [ 213 ] or left pin [ 214 ].  
         [0073]     The calibration bar [ 210 ] is then rotated around an imaginary axis of the central pin [ 212 ] until the beams [ 280 ] are focused on the right pin [ 213 ] or left pin [ 214 ].  
         [0074]     When the beams [ 280 ] are focused on the right pin [ 213 ] or left pin [ 214 ] and the central pin [ 212 ] using only the X-axis motor [ 275 ] to move the laser measurement device assembly [ 120 ] laterally along the X-axis ways [ 270 ] the measurement module [ 110 ] is considered calibrated and the base of the virtual plane [ 150 ] is defined.  
         [0075]     The laser measurement assembly [ 120 ] requires the use of the central LMD [ 121 ], right LMD [ 122 ] and left LMD [ 123 ] in that whenever an object [ 140 ] has a curved surface or variations in the object [ 140 ] topography obstruct the right LMD [ 122 ] beam [ 280 ] or left LMD [ 123 ] beam [ 280 ] from defining a point on the object [ 140 ] with the central LMD [ 121 ] beam [ 280 ], the opposite LMD provides at least a second beam [ 280 ] for measurement.  
         [0076]     This calibration also defines the base of the virtual plane [ 150 ] on which the object [ 140 ] is placed by the user.  
         [0077]     The virtual plane [ 150 ] may also be denoted on the stand [ 220 ] or platform [ 221 ] by use of tape, chalk, pencil or other visual means of marking to identify the base of the virtual plane [ 150 ] whereby the object [ 140 ] may be placed.  
         [0078]     The object [ 140 ] is then placed in alignment with the marking for the virtual plane [ 150 ] in a position defined by the user.  
         [0079]     The computer system [ 160 ] is then manipulated by the user to start the measurement process by activating the central LMD [ 121 ], right LMD [ 122 ] and left LMD [ 123 ] within the measurement program.  
         [0080]     The X-axis motor [ 275 ], Y-axis motor [ 265 ] and Z-axis motor [ 255 ] are activated by the user to scan the object [ 140 ] with the laser measurement device assembly [ 120 ] beams [ 280 ].  
         [0081]     One of the user-defined variables is an indication of the start and finish of the desired scan area outside or within the object [ 140 ] boundaries.  
         [0082]     The user commands the computer system [ 160 ] to move the laser measurement device assembly [ 120 ] to scan the object [ 140 ] appropriately  
         [0083]     The computer system [ 160 ] programming allows the user to control the operation of the central LMD [ 121 ] right LMD [ 122 ] and left LMD [ 123 ] and the beam [ 280 ] scans the object [ 140 ], while a receiver in the emitting LMD measures, along with other values, the intensity of the reflected beam [ 290 ].  
         [0084]     When the emitting LMD [ 121 ,  122 ,  123 ] measures different points that lie on objrect an [ 140 ], a detectable change in beam [ 280 ] intensity results as a degradation of the reflected beam [ 290 ].  
         [0085]     The measured data includes location information, typically given as (x, y, z) coordinates in the computer system [ 160 ] internal coordinate system, and change in the beam [ 280 ] integrity or degradation.  
         [0086]     The emitting beam [ 280 ] of known intensity is emitted toward the object [ 140 ] and its reflected beam [ 290 ] returns to the emitting beam [ 280 ] location.  
         [0087]     Each location of the object [ 140 ] that is measured is considered a point of measurement. Each point is identified in terms of x, y, and z coordinates and stored in the computer system [ 160 ] as such.  
         [0088]     This plurality of points is commonly refered to as a point cloud [ 310 ].  
         [0089]     The object [ 140 ] is then rotated 180 degrees on the stand [ 220 ] or platform [ 221 ] which allows scanning the remaining topographies of the object [ 140 ] and eventual creation of the enclosing, mating cavity.  
         [0090]     The user commands the computer system [ 160 ] to move the laser measurement device assembly [ 120 ] to scan the object [ 140 ].  
         [0091]     The computer system [ 160 ] programming allows the user to control the operation of the central LMD [ 121 ] right LMD [ 122 ] and left LMD [ 123 ] and the beam [ 280 ] scans object [ 140 ], while a receiver in the emitting LMD measures, along with other values such as reflected beam [ 290 ] distortion and beam [ 290 ] degradation.  
         [0092]     When the emitting LMD [ 121 ,  122 ,  123 ] measures different points that lie on object [ 140 ], a detectable change in intensity of the reflected beam [ 290 ] results.  
         [0093]     The measured data includes location information, typically translated into (x, y, z) coordinates in the computer system [ 160 ] using an internal coordinate system that associates with the change in the beam [ 280 ] integrity or degradation.  
         [0094]     The beam [ 280 ] of known intensity is emitted toward the object [ 140 ] and its refelected beam [ 290 ] returns to the emitting beam [ 280 ] location.  
         [0095]     Each location of the object [ 140 ] that is measured is considered a point of measurement. Each point is identified in terms of x, y, and z coordinates and stored in the computer system [ 160 ].  
         [0096]     The user may view information on the display [ 440 ] in order to determine if there are any gaps, voids or shadows in the point cloud [ 310 ] and then use the wand [ 300 ] to create a point cloud [ 310 ] for which data may be used to create a virtual surface where one was not detected previously.  
         [0097]     The presence of gaps, voids and shadows presently require one skilled in the art of CAD to manually create missing topography of the object [ 140 ] or utilize algorithms involving weighted averages to attempt to determine the missing topography, whereas the use of the wand [ 300 ] allows the user to quickly create a representative topography of the object [ 140 ] without the necessity of additional skilled personnel and expense.  
         [0098]     The additional point cloud [ 310 ] generated by scanning the wand [ 300 ] is then merged with the CAD program to create a 3-D wireframe rendition of the object [ 140 ].  
         [0099]     In instances where the user defines that the object [ 140 ] is not to be directly scanned by the beams [ 280 ] for concern about the beams [ 280 ] causing degradation of the object [ 140 ], the wand [ 300 ] may be held in proximity to the object [ 140 ], protecting the object [ 140 ] so that a virtual surface comprising of a plurality of points as a point cloud [ 310 ] simulating the object [ 140 ] topography may be generated.  
         [0100]     The point cloud [ 310 ] data is then stored to a memory access device [ 430 ], such as a disk drive, a networking card, or CD or the like, or stored to a user defined site for retrieval by the machining vendor for manipulation into cutting files for a numerical tool [ 170 ] to create the object [ 140 ] cavity portions of the selected packaging materials [ 240 ,  241 ,  243 ].