Device for 3 D Surface Profile Measurements

This paper reviews more than 25 patents filed mainly since year 1997 that propose technologies to improve surface coordinate measurement technique under contact-based and non-contact based systems. The patents surveyed have identified the need to develop a device that brings a novel application approach for 3D surface profile measurement. This paper presents outlined features of developed 3D surface profile measurement device, which is based on the contact based technique combined with several systems and sub-systems. Systems comprise of a profile measuring head (hereafter PMH), an object movement unit, data acquisition and reconstruction software. Sub-systems comprise of a PMH that contains closely packed variable resistors with long arms, multiplexed circuit, calibration module and a controller to drive stepper motors etc. This device interfaces with computer for automatic operations like control movement of work piece and PMH, data acquisition under a systematic way, and data reconstruction.