Continuous calibration of grade control system

A grade control calibration system for a work machine including a frame, a linkage assembly and a work implement, the grade control calibration system, including:

• a vision processing system, including:
• an imaging device fixed to the linkage assembly and configured to generate a three-dimensional point cloud of a cutting portion of the work implement, and
• a vision controller in electronic communication with the imaging device and configured to calculate a current length of the cutting portion of the work implement based on the three-dimensional point cloud generated by the imaging device, the vision controller further configured to transmit the current length of the cutting portion of the work implement;
• and
• a grade control system in communication with the vision processing system and the linkage assembly, the grade control system including:
• a grading controller configured to receive the current length of the cutting portion of the work implement from the vision controller and to calibrate a position of the work implement relative to a terrain based on the received current length of the cutting portion of the work implement.

A method of grading terrain using a work implement of a work machine, the work machine including a linkage assembly and a sensor coupled to the linkage assembly, the method comprising:

• detecting the work implement within a field of view of the sensor;
• identifying, by the sensor, a cutting portion of the work implement;
• calculating, by a controller electronically coupled to the sensor, a length of the cutting portion of the work implement;
• calibrating, by the controller, a grade control system of the work machine based on the calculated length of the cutting portion of the work implement;
• maneuvering, by the calibrated grade control system, the cutting portion of the work implement proximate the terrain;
• and
• grading the terrain with the cutting portion of the work implement.