Faro Technologies, Inc.

Faro Laser Trackers, LLC

Spatialmetrix Corp.

D Scott Ackerson

Robert E Bridges

Lawrence B Brown

James K West

A method for measuring a distance includes modulating the light beam at a first frequency, receiving a second beam by the optical detector to produce a first electrical signal having the first frequency and a first phase; modulating the light beam at a second frequency different than the first frequency; receiving the second beam by the optical detector to produce a second electrical signal having the second frequency and a second. After these steps, the retroreflector is moved while modulating the light beam continuously at the second frequency; and a first distance to the retroreflector is determined based at least in part on a the first and second frequencies and phases.

Laser-based coordinate measuring device and laser-based method for measuring coordinates

Intensity modulation at two frequencies for interferometric measuring of distance

Locator camera arrangement having multiple light sources

A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion.

Laser-based coordinate measuring with a camera for target orientation

A method of steering a laser beam from an instrument toward a point on a retroreflector, including: intercepting with the retroreflector a cone of light from the instrument; obtaining a first image of retroreflected light on a photosensitive array and transmitting an electrical data signal in response; determining a position on the photosensitive array of the first image; calculating first and second angular increments to steer the laser beam to the point; rotating the first and second motors to intercept with the position detector the retroreflected laser beam and to place the laser beam at a preferred location on the position detector; measuring fifth and sixth angles with first and second angle transducers; measuring a distance with a distance meter; and determining three-dimensional coordinates of the point based at least in part on the fifth angle, the sixth angle, and the distance.

Methods for using a locator camera in a laser tracker

A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target using a camera having an adjustable magnification set based on the distance from the coordinate measuring device to the remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a structure rotatable about two axes. The device includes a distance meter, a position detector for use in tracking the remote target, and two angular encoders for measuring the angles about the two axes.

Laser tracker having a camera with a constant magnification

A laser tracker includes rotatable structure on which a position detector is disposed. The position detector generates a signal indicating a direction of rotation of the structure so that a beam launched from the structure to a patterned target tracks the patterned target. The laser tracker also includes an optical system that includes a lens and is used to determine the orientation of the patterned target.

Laser tracker and method for measing location and orientation of a patterned target

A laser tracker includes a first optical system located on a structure and that launches a beam from the structure. The laser tracker also includes a locator camera having a second optical system that includes a lens having a center and a clear aperture through which light may pass. The clear aperture has a clear aperture diameter. The second optical system includes a light source that illuminates a retroreflector, receives light reflected back from the retroreflector and forms an image on a photosensitive array that is converted to a digital data set from which the angular direction of the targets can be determined.

Laser tracker including a locator camera

A measuring apparatus for determining the location of a point in space using a coordinate measuring machine, such as a laser tracker. The apparatus comprises a retroreflector releasably coupled to a sphere of a tooling ball. The tooling ball is rigidly coupled to a mechanism whose position is to be found and whose movements can be monitored by repeatedly determining the position of the center point of the sphere of the tooling ball. The retroreflector is formed of solid glass and has a corner cube having a vertex which has a predetermined dimensional relationship with and represents the virtual location of the point in space, that is, the center point of the sphere. The retroreflector is configured to receive a beam of light from the laser tracker and then reflect and retroreflect the beam to the laser tracker to determine the location of the vertex of the corner cube and, thus, the center of the tooling ball. The retroreflector is movable along the outer surface of the sphere of the tooling ball and maintains the various positions to which it is moved in a free-standing manner without any external assistance or support. Additionally, the retroreflector is easily removed from the tooling ball and placed on the same or other tooling balls.

Growing community of inventors

Easton, MD, United States of America

D Scott Ackerson