Non-Contact Ranging Using Dynamic Fringe Projection

Abstract

Major advances in imaging technology have seen the advent of 3-dimensional imaging systems, and the ensuing advantages that they have over 2-dimensional systems in many situations. Both passive and active systems for 3-dimensional image production have been widely used for robot control, and for high accuracy measurements in engineering metrology. This paper will concentrate on a discussion of the development of a new instrument employing dynamic fringe projection techniques, capable of simultaneously measuring the range at each point in the field of view of, say, a CCD camera in real time. The instrument, called the Dynamic Automated Range Transducer, (DART), uses a method of fringe projection based upon the principle of triangulation. The current investigations aimed at automating the ranging process will be described, and an error analysis and theoretical maximum resolution of the system will be included.