Method of scanning

• US 20070145265A1
• Filed: 11/04/2004
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Taylor, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,747,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/004 Means or methods for taking digitized impressions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0053 Optical means or methods, e.g. scanning the teeth by a laser or light beam
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0093 Workpiece support
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/045 Correction of measurements G01B9/02055 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of scanning is disclosed comprising, providing a scanning system (10) having a sample holder (14) and a relatively movable scanning device (18), performing a scan of at least a part of an object (22) located on the sample holder (14), establishing orientation of the sample holder and interpreting data from a scan using the orientation whereby, the orientation is established using data from the scan of the surface of the sample holder. The orientation may be established by defining a plane (56b) of the sample holder, which may be limited by boundaries (76a,76b).

Claims

1. A method of scanning comprising the steps of:

providing a scanning system (10) having a sample holder (14,220,54) and a relatively movable scanning device (18);

performing a scan of at least a part of an object (22,250,52) located on the sample holder;

establishing orientation of a plane of the sample holder (14,220,54); and

interpreting data from the scan using the orientation of the sample holder characterised in that, the orientation is established using data from the scan of the object.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein, the orientation is established by defining a plane (56b) of the sample holder.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein, the plane in which orientation is established is limited by boundaries (76a,76b).

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein, the orientation is established by extracting at least three measurements.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein, the orientation is established by extracting data for at least 240°

around the surface of the sample holder.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein, the orientation is established by measuring during a single process.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein, the orientation is established by measuring during more than one discrete processes.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein, the orientation is established within a defined vertical envelope with respect to the sample holder.

9. A method of scanning comprising the steps of:

providing a scanning system (10) having a sample holder (14,220,54) and a relatively movable scanning device (18);

scanning a datum;

scanning a sample; and

interpreting data from the sample scan using data from the datum scan;

characterised in that the scanning system automatically carries out the datum and sample scans.

10. A method of scanning comprising the steps of:

providing a scanning system (10) having a sample holder (14,220,54) and a relatively movable scanning device (18);

scanning a datum;

scanning a sample; and