Engraved area volume measurement system and method using pixel data

摘要

A includes system and method for determining an actual volume measurement for an engraved area on a surface of a workpiece, such as a cylinder. The system and method is capable of capturing an image of an engraved area, determining a plurality of cross-section volumes for a plurality of cross-sectional areas using the image, and generating a plurality of volume values in response thereto. The system and method sum the volume for the plurality of cross-sectional areas to provide a total engraved area actual volume value. If necessary, the system and method causes an engraver to be adjusted during a set-up procedure or during real-time operation to ensure that the densities of the areas being engraved correspond to desired densities. A computer associated with the engraver utilizes an image to determine a stylus profile from which engraved area measurements can be determined. The computer further adjusts the engraved drive signal by applying a gamma correction curve if the actual measurements deviate from a desired measurement by more than a predetermined amount. The engraving system and method also adjusts the engraved drive signal to eliminate engraved areas having densities less than a predetermined amount in order to eliminate undesired "scum dots" or engraved areas having a density less than, for example, three percent of maximum density.