Faro Technologies, Inc.

Tvs Holdings, LLC

Other

John M Hoffer, Jr

Robert E Bridges

Kenneth Steffey

Nils P Steffensen

Todd P Wilson

Peter G Cramer

Robert C Mehler

Daniel G Lasley

Clark H Briggs

Lawrence B Brown

Kevin R Ackley

A light-based measurement system is capable of directing a light beam to a cooperative target used in conjunction with a cable robot to accurately control the position of the end effector within a large volume working environment defined by a single coordinate system. By measuring the end effector while the device is in operation, the cable robot control system can be adjusted in real time to correct for errors that are introduced through the design of the robot itself providing accuracy in the tens or hundreds of micron range. A coordination processor runs control software that communicates with both the laser tracker and the cable robot. An action plan file is loaded by the software that defines the coordinate system of the working volume, the locations where actions need to be performed by the cable robot, and the actions to be taken.

Cable robot positioning system utilizing a light beam measurement device

A position measurement system is configured to measure its position in one or more degrees of freedom with respect to a beam of light while addressing errors caused by atmospheric distortions. Atmospheric distortions can be measured using a wavefront sensor. Data from such a sensor can be used in combination with a beam position sensing device, such that wavefront data can determine if beam position device data should be discarded or can be used to correct the beam position device mathematically. Alternately, the wavefront sensor data can be used to control an adaptive optic that has the ability to receive a distorted beam and then transmit an undistorted beam to the beam position sensing device, eliminating the need to mathematically correct the data from the beam position sensing device. Finally, the wavefront sensor itself can be used to both measure wavefront distortions as well as determine beam position.

Light-based position measurement device with atmospheric correction

A light-based measurement system is capable of directing a light beam to a cooperative target used in conjunction with an aerial robot to accurately control the position of the end effector within a large volume working environment defined by a single coordinate system. By measuring the end effector while the device is in operation, the aerial robot control system can be adjusted in real time to correct for errors that are introduced through the design of the robot itself providing accuracy in the tens or hundreds of micron range. A separate coordination computer runs control software that communicates with both the laser tracker and the aerial robot. An action plan file is loaded by the software that defines the coordinate system of the working volume, the locations where actions need to be performed by the aerial robot, and the actions to be taken.

Aerial robot positioning system utilizing a light beam measurement device

A device capable of measuring one or more degrees of freedom with respect to a beam of light is described. The angle of rotation around the beam is obtained with a polarized beam of light and a polarizing optic and a sensor. A control system holds a sensor reading to a predetermined value. Therefore as the device is rotated around the beam, the optic will be rotated to maintain the sensor reading and an encoder provides the measurement of the amount of rotation. A position sensing device provides transverse information about the location of the beam and rotation of the device around two other axes. A second position sensing device at a difference distance from the light transmitter allows for the separation of transverse and rotational measurements. Alternately, the transverse measurement can be obtained by a light transmitter capable of making the measurement on a reflected beam.

Position measurement device

A multi-mode frequency sweeping interferometer has a single measurement light producing device configured to produce a coherent light source consisting of a single light beam. The single measurement light producing device transitions the single light beam between a fixed light beam and a scanning wavelength light beam. A primary beam splitter produces a first reference beam and a first measurement beam from said single light beam. The first reference beam is configured to travel a fixed path length to a primary reference reflector and the first measurement beam is configured to travel to and from a moveable reflective target over an unknown path length. A first interferometer is created by interfering the first reference beam with the first measurement beam and one or more optoelectronic devices may be configured to determine a measured distance to the movable reflective target.

Multi-mode frequency sweeping interferometer and method of using same

A velocity-compensated frequency sweeping interferometer has a single measurement light producing device that produces a coherent light source consisting of a single light beam. The light producing device produces a scanning wavelength light beam. A primary beam splitter produces a first reference beam and a first measurement beam from said single light beam. The first reference beam travels a fixed path length to a primary reference reflector and the first measurement beam travels to and from a moveable reflective target over an unknown path length. A distance measurement interferometer is created by interfering the first reference beam with the first measurement beam. A return frequency measurement interferometer provides a measure of frequency of the return beam from the target which, when compared with the frequency of the outgoing beam, allows for velocity compensation of the target.

Velocity compensated frequency sweeping interferometer and method of using same

A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body.

Target apparatus for three-dimensional measurement system

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine includes a distance meter to measure 3D coordinates of at least three targets to establish a position and orientation of the articulated arm within a frame of reference established by the at least three targets.

Coordinate measurement machine with distance meter used to establish frame of reference

Optically communicating from a user to a laser tracker a command to control tracker operation includes providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and temporal patterns; user selecting a first command; projecting a first light from the tracker to a retroreflector; reflecting a second light from the retroreflector that is part of the first light; obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light imaged onto a photosensitive array that is part of the second light; user creating, between first and second times, a first temporal pattern including at least a decrease in the third light's optical power followed by an increase in its optical power, the first temporal pattern corresponding to the first command; determining the first command based at least in part on processing the first sensed data according to the rule of correspondence; and executing the first command with the tracker.

Method and apparatus for using gestures to control a laser tracker

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine for measuring the coordinates of an object in space is provided. The AACMM includes a base and an arm portion having an opposed first and second ends. The arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments that each includes at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. An electronic circuit is provided that receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. A noncontact three-dimensional measuring device is coupled to the first end, the device having an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and is configured to determine a distance to an object based at least in part on the speed of light in air. A processor is configured to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of a point on the object in response to receiving the position signals and the distance to the object.

Coordinate measurement machines with removable accessories

A laser tracker system for measuring six degrees of freedom may include a main optics assembly structured to emit a first laser beam, a pattern projector assembly structured to emit a second laser beam shaped into a two-dimensional pattern, and a target. The target may include a retroreflector and a position sensor assembly. A center of symmetry of the retroreflector may be provided on a different plane than a plane of the position sensor assembly. A method of measuring orientation of a target may include illuminating the target with a laser beam comprising a two-dimensional pattern, recording a position of the two-dimensional pattern on a position sensor assembly to create a measured signature value of the two-dimensional pattern, and calculating an orientation of the target based on the measured signature value.

Device and method for measuring six degrees of freedom

A method for determining when a laser tracker is stable includes performing a plurality of first frontsight measurements and a plurality of first backsight measurements on a first target with the laser tracker, wherein the plurality of first frontsight measurements and the plurality of first backsight measurements are alternated in time, calculating a plurality of first two-face errors based on the plurality of first frontsight measurements and the plurality of first backsight measurements, determining at least one first stability metric based at least in part on the plurality of first two-face errors, the at least one first stability metric being a value defined by a rule, determining whether the laser tracker is stable based at least in part on the at least one first stability metric and a first termination criterion and generating an indication whether the laser tracker is stable or not stable.

Automated warm-up and stability check for laser trackers

A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to control tracker operation includes providing a rule of correspondence between commands and temporal patterns, and selecting by the user a first command. Also, projecting a first light from the tracker to the retroreflector, reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light, obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light which is a portion of the second light, creating by the user, between first and second times, a first temporal pattern which includes a decrease in the third optical power followed by an increase in the third optical power, the first temporal pattern corresponding to the first command, determining the first command based on processing the first sensed data per the rule of correspondence and executing the first command with the tracker.

A laser measurement system includes a laser tracker having a structure rotatable about first and second axes, a first light source that launches a light beam from the structure, a distance meter, first and second angular encoders that measure first and second angles of rotation about the first and second axes, respectively, a processor, and a camera system. Also, a communication device that includes a second light source and an operator-controlled device that controls emission of a light from the second light source; a retroreflector target not disposed on the communication device. Also, the camera system is operable to receive the second light and to convert it into a digital image, and the processor is operable to determine a command to control operation of the tracker based on a pattern of movement of the second light source between first and second times and the digital image.

An instruction symbol identifier comprising a digital imaging capturing features that utilizes a light field sensor to capture the intensity and direction of incident light is described. The instruction symbol identifier comprises a computing device, whereby a digitally captured image may be digitally focused to identify an instruction symbol. An instruction symbol identifier is described being coupled to a point of sale counter, whereby product bar codes may be identified more quickly and effectively than conventional bar code scanners. A light emitting feature and an image locator feature are described, to further enhance capturing an image.

Growing community of inventors

Bel Air, MD, United States of America

John M Hoffer, Jr