Systems and methods for predicting and improving scanning geometric accuracy for 3D scanners

A method performed by a computer system comprising processor electronics and at least one memory device, the method comprising:

• obtaining data regarding (i) standard calibration parts with shapes comprising cylinders and polyhedrons, and (ii) one or more scanning trials performed on the standard calibration parts using a three dimensional (3D) scanner;
• comparing the data to find shape deviations for the standard calibration parts in a Polar Coordinate System (PCS), wherein each of the shape deviations represents geometric errors as a functional profile defined on an interval of the PCS corresponding to an angular location variable;
• generating a model of functional dependence of scanning error for the 3D scanner using the shape deviations, wherein the model includes a first function base representing the shape deviations of cylindrical shape, and a second function representing a cookie-cutter model connecting the cylindrical shape with one or more different shapes;
• and
• providing the model of functional dependence of scanning error for the 3D scanner to quantify scanning inaccuracy of the 3D scanner, wherein the model is usable to predict a measurement error for the 3D scanner on a scanned product.

A system comprising:

• a three-dimensional (3D) scanner;
• and
• one or more computing devices coupled with the 3D scanner and programmed to (i) obtain data regarding (a) standard calibration parts with shapes comprising cylinders and polyhedrons, and (b) one or more scanning trials performed on the standard calibration parts using the three dimensional (3D) scanner;
• (ii) compare the data to find shape deviations for the standard calibration parts in a coordinate system;
• (iii) generate a model of functional dependence of scanning error for the 3D scanner using the shape deviations, wherein the model includes a first function base representing the shape deviations of cylindrical shape, and a second function representing a cookie-cutter model connecting the cylindrical shape with one or more different shapes;
• and (iv) provide the model of functional dependence of scanning error for the 3D scanner to quantify scanning inaccuracy of the 3D scanner, wherein the model is usable to predict a measurement error for the 3D scanner on a scanned product.