Method and system for visualizing surface errors
First Claim
1. A method for visualizing deviations on an actual surface from a nominal surface comprising the steps of:
- a. mapping the spatial coordinates of an actual surface,b. comparing said mapped spatial coordinates to the nominal surface to produce a three-dimensional distribution of values for deviations D of the actual surface from the nominal surface,c. generating from said distributions a topographical pattern of deviations having generally the same deviation value D, andd. optically laser projecting that topographical pattern onto the actual surface to visualize said deviations D, where said optical laser projecting is made with reference to at least three fixed reference points on said actual surface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for visualizing deviations on an actual surface 10, 30 from a nominal, or designed, surface 28 utilizes a system and method for mapping the spatial (e.g. x, y and z) coordinates of the actual surface 10, 30 into a computer 13, comparing the mapped actual surface to the nominal surface 28 to produce a three-dimensional distribution of deviation values (D), processing this distribution into a topographical pattern 34 of multiple contours or areas 34a . . . 34n, each contour or area having the same, or generally the same, deviation value (D), and optically projecting this topographical pattern 34 onto the actual surface 10, 30 in registry with the initial surface mapping to provide a display of the surface deviations (D) directly on the actual surface 10, 30. The deviations are measured along a direction D normal to the actual surface so that the three-dimensional distribution is given in x, y, D coordinates. The optical projection is preferably a laser projection 38. The mapping and projection onto the actual surface 10, 30 are made, and coordinated with one another, with respect to three reference points 32 on the surface 10, 30.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for visualizing deviations on an actual surface from a nominal surface comprising the steps of:
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a. mapping the spatial coordinates of an actual surface, b. comparing said mapped spatial coordinates to the nominal surface to produce a three-dimensional distribution of values for deviations D of the actual surface from the nominal surface, c. generating from said distributions a topographical pattern of deviations having generally the same deviation value D, and d. optically laser projecting that topographical pattern onto the actual surface to visualize said deviations D, where said optical laser projecting is made with reference to at least three fixed reference points on said actual surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for visualizing deviations in an actual surface from a nominal surface comprising:
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a. a surface profiler that maps the spatial coordinates of an actual surface, b. a processor that i) compares said mapped spatial coordinates to the nominal surface to produce a three-dimensional distribution of values for deviations D of the actual surface from the nominal surface, and ii) generates from said distributions a topographical pattern of deviation having generally the same deviation value D, and c. an optical laser projector that projects a topographical pattern onto the actual surface to visualize said deviations D. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification