Patent ID: 6888640

Claim:
A machine for measuring spatial coordinates of points along the surface contours of a three-dimensional object comprising: an enclosure within which said object is placed, a plurality of laser range finders for detecting the sensor-to-object distance at a multitude of points along the three-dimensional surface contours of said object, said laser range finders operating by emitting and receiving an impulse of radiation with the range measurement being derived from the delay between the impulse transmit and receive times, means for positioning said laser range finders within said enclosure so as to be pointed inwardly toward the object in the enclosure, said range finders being mounted on the top and bottom of the enclosure and being mounted on a structure which is mounted to be movable vertically, with said range finders providing for range detection of surface points on the all sides of the body, and means for generating a digital tabulation of all measured spatial coordinates.