LASER SCANNING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

A three-dimensional scanner uses a rotatable mounting structure to secure a laser line source in a manner that permits rotation of a projected laser line about an axis of the laser, along with movement of the laser through an arc in order to conveniently position and orient the resulting laser line. Where the laser scanner uses a turntable or the like, a progressive calibration scheme may be employed with a calibration fixture to calibrate a camera, a turntable, and a laser for coordinated use as a three-dimensional scanner. Finally, parameters for a scan may be automatically created to control, e.g., laser intensity and camera exposure based on characteristics of a scan subject such as surface characteristics or color gradient.

主权项

1. A device for aligning a laser in a three-dimensional scanning system comprising:
a laser configured to project a line, the laser having an axis; a laser housing including a cavity to receive the laser and a plurality of engagement elements shaped and sized to hold the laser when positioned in the cavity, the laser housing further including a toothed wheel having a plurality of teeth radially spaced about the axis of the laser when the laser is placed for use in the cavity, the toothed wheel forming an adjustment wheel operable to rotate the laser housing about the axis of the laser; a mount including a base couplable to an external assembly, a holder to receive the laser housing and to retain the laser housing in rotational engagement about the axis of the laser, and a hinge that hingably couples the base to the holder; and an adjustment rod coupling the base of the mount to the holder of the mount, the adjustment rod operable to displace the base relative to the holder along a second axis of the adjustment rod, thereby rotating the hinge and moving the axis of the laser relative to the base.