Acushnet Company

Donald A Laprade

Paul A Furze

Thomas L Mydlack

Edmund T Maher

Michael F Vieira

A method of orienting a spherical object comprising the steps of acquiring an image of a spherical object at an imaging station; analyzing the image with a first computer to determine an analysis; transferring the object from the imaging station to orienting stations using a transfer mechanism; and orienting the object to a predetermined orientation according to the analysis; wherein the orienting stations comprise first, second, and third stations each rotating the object about a single axis; the first, second, and third stations collectively orienting the object by rotation about alternately perpendicular axes. In one embodiment, at least one of the orienting stations is at least partially mounted onto the transfer mechanism. In another embodiment, the transfer mechanism is a compliant object carrier that is movable translationally and substantially immovable rotationally. In an alternate embodiment, the ball is orientated with a gimbaled mechanism. An object orienter is also disclosed.

Method of spherical object orientation and orienter for the same

A method of calibrating a detector using a calibration object having a rounded surface and indicia is disclosed. The calibration object, when coupled with a detector and analyzer, assists in minimizing image distortion caused by misalignment of the detector relative to the calibration object. A calibration object is also disclosed.

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Acushnet, MA, United States of America

Donald A Laprade