US 6,697,748 B1 · Digitizing system and rotary table for determining 3-D geometry of an object

Abstract

A digitizing system and rotary table for determining the three-dimensional geometry of an object. An apparatus includes at least one sensor detecting information describing the three-dimensional geometry of the object and providing the information to a host computer. A rotary table includes a base and a turntable rotatable about an axis positioned perpendicularly to the turntable surface. The turntable and object on its surface rotate about the axis during or between the sensor detecting the information describing the three-dimensional geometry of the object. A turntable sensor coupled to the base measures the rotation of the turntable, where the turntable sensor outputs turntable data indicative of the rotation to the host computer.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A rotary table for use with a three-dimensional digitizing system, said three-dimensional digitizing system measuring three-dimensional geometry of an object resting on said rotary table and providing data describing said three-dimensional geometry to a host computer system, the rotary table comprising:

a support base;
a turntable coupled to said support base and operative to rotate about an axis positioned perpendicularly to a surface of said turntable, said turntable receiving on said turntable surface said object to be measured, said turntable and said object rotating about said axis during or between said measuring of said three-dimensional geometry of said object to allow said measuring of said three-dimensional geometry;
and
a sensor coupled to said support base and operative to measure an angular rotation of said turntable, wherein said sensor provides sensor data indicative of said angular rotation to said host computer system, said host computer system including said angular rotation of said turntable in a determination of said three-dimensional geometry of said object on said rotary table.

1 more element

A digitizing system for determining the three-dimensional geometry of an object and providing information describing said three-dimensional geometry to a host computer system, the digitizing system comprising:

(a) an apparatus including at least one sensor detecting said information describing said three-dimensional geometry and providing said information to said host computer system;
and
(b) a rotary table including:
(i) a base;
(ii) a turntable coupled to said base and rotatable about an axis positioned perpendicularly to a surface of said turntable, said turntable receiving on said surface said object, wherein said turntable and said object rotate about said axis during or between said detecting of said information describing said three-dimensional geometry of said object;
and
(iii) a turntable sensor coupled to said base, said turntable sensor measuring a rotation of said turntable about said axis, wherein said turntable sensor outputs turntable data indicative of said rotation to said host computer system, said turntable data usable in a determination of said three-dimensional geometry.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Digitizing system and rotary table for determining 3-D geometry of an object

Life of this patent

Digitizing system and rotary table for determining 3-D geometry of an object

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18