Patent ID: 7206717

Claim:
In a testing procedure for light gauge testing of a part (A) in which a series of light stripes (L 1 –Ln) are projected onto the part by a structured light system, light reflected from the part being captured by an imaging system for evaluation, a method for setting up and aligning the respective components used in the testing procedure to obtain optimal information for evaluating acceptability of the part comprising: initially aligning a light projector and at least one camera of the imaging system with a test specimen of the object; projecting a series of light stripes (L 1 –Ln) onto the test specimen and capturing images of light reflections from the specimen; evaluating the images to determine characteristics of each light stripe; accepting the test setup and alignment if the characteristics of the light stripes are substantially uniform over a section (S) of the test specimen; but, modifying the test setup and alignment if any of the characteristics are not substantially uniform over the section; and testing parts (A) using the structured light system and imaging system after an acceptable test setup and alignment is achieved; wherein modifying the test setup and alignment includes repositioning the structured light system relative to the test specimen.