Method and device for the three-dimensional measurement of objects

• US 7,310,889 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2003
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STOTZ Feinmesstechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: STOTZ Feinmesstechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Stamenkovic, Milan
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W
• Application Number:
  US10/530,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20060162175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,541 Days
• Field of Search: 335/03, 33/1.G, 33/1.K, 33/1.BB, 33/1.CC, 335/49, 335/51, 335/53, 335/54, 335/55
• US Class Current: 33/503
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/04 by measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for three-dimensionally measuring objects, according to which the positions of a measuring element (14) are determined by means of a locating method (e.g. optically, electromagnetically, or acoustically), the positions being relative to a reference system defined by the associated locating system (16), and desired dimensions of the object (24) being calculated from the determined positions of the measuring element. Also disclosed is a corresponding device for three-dimensionally measuring objects. The measuring element can be moved by means of a robot arm (26) or a flying object (e.g. a type of zeppelin).

Claims

1. A method for the three-dimensional measurement of objects in which a measuring element is moved in space relative to an object to be measured, in particular along its surface, the locations of the measuring element are determined relative to a reference system, in particular relative to a fixed reference system, and the dimensions of the object examined are determined from the detected locations of the measuring element, wherein

the locations of the measuring element are determined by a locating method with reference to a reference system fixed by the associated locating system and the dimensions of the object are calculated from the locations of the measuring element determined in this manner, and wherein

a plurality of physical fields comprising an acoustic, optical or electromagnetic field are set up for the location of the measuring element.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that a global positioning system, GPS, is used for the locating of the measuring element.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the measuring element scans the object mechanically or in a contact-free manner.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the measuring element is moved by a robot arm.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that at least one exchangeable measuring element is used.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the locating system is calibrated by self-calibration.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the measuring element is supplied with energy in a wireless manner, in particular inductively or by means of an accumulator.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the measurement data of the measuring element are transmitted in a wireless manner, in particular inductively or by radio.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the object is positioned at a zero position for the measurement.

10. A method for the three-dimensional measurement of objects in which a measuring element is moved in space relative to an object to be measured, in particular along its surface, the locations of the measuring element are determined relative to a reference system, in particular relative to a fixed reference system, and the dimensions of the object examined are determined from the detected locations of the measuring element, wherein

the locations of the measuring element are determined by a locating method with reference to a reference system fixed by the associated locating system and desired dimensions of the object are calculated from the locations of the measuring element determined in this manner,

and wherein a robot arm is simultaneously used for the movement of the object, in particular for the loading and/or unloading of the measuring apparatus.

11. A method for the three-dimensional measurement of objects in which a measuring element is moved in space relative to an object to be measured, in particular along its surface, the locations of the measuring element are determined relative to a reference system, in particular relative to a fixed reference system, and the dimensions of the object examined are determined from the detected locations of the measuring element, wherein

the locations of the measuring element are determined by a locating method with reference to a reference system fixed by the associated locating system and desired dimensions of the object are calculated from the locations of the measuring element determined in this manner,

and wherein the measuring element is moved by a flying object.

12. An apparatus for the three-dimensional measurement of objects comprising

a measured element movable in space relative to an object to be measured, in particular along its surface;

means for the determination of the location of the measuring element at the measuring positions relative to a reference system, in particular relative to a fixed reference system, and means for the determination of the dimensions of the object from the detected locations of the measuring element, wherein

a locating system is provided for the determination of the location of the measuring element with reference to the reference system fixed by the locating system and in that means are provided for the calculation of object dimensions from the locations determined in this manner, and wherein the locating system has a plurality of means for the setting up of a physical field, in particular of an acoustic, optical and/or and electromagnetic field.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the locating system is made as a global positioning system, GPS.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the measuring element is made as a mechanical or contact-free scanning element.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the measuring element is arranged at a robot arm.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the measuring element is exchangeable.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that means are provided for the self-calibration of the locating system.

18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that means are provided for the wireless energy supply of the measuring element, in particular means for the inductive energy supply or an accumulator.

19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that means are provided for the wireless transmission of the measured data, in particular means for inductive transmission or for transmission by radio.

20. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that a zero position is provided for the object to be measured.

21. An apparatus for the three-dimensional measurement of objects comprising

a measured element movable in space relative to an object to be measured, in particular along its surface;

means for the determination of the location of the measuring element at the measuring positions relative to a reference system, in particular relative to a fixed reference system, and means for the determination of the dimensions of the object from the detected locations of the measuring element, wherein

a locating system is provided for the determination of the location of the measuring element with reference to the reference system fixed by the locating system and in that means are provided for the calculation of object dimensions from the locations determined in this manner, the measuring element being arranged at a robot arm,

and wherein the robot arm has a gripping element for the gripping of the measuring element and/or of the object and is made to move the measuring element between pick-up and put-down positions and the measuring position.

22. An apparatus for the three-dimensional measurement of objects comprising

a measured element movable in space relative to an object to be measured, in particular along its surface;

means for the determination of the location of the measuring element at the measuring positions relative to a reference system, in particular relative to a fixed reference system, and means for the determination of the dimensions of the object from the detected locations of the measuring element, wherein

a locating system is provided for the determination of the location of the measuring element with reference to the reference system fixed by the locating system and in that means are provided for the calculation of object dimensions from the locations determined in this manner,

and wherein the measuring element is arranged at a flying object.