High-spatial-resolution optical coordinate measuring machine

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Accurate measurement of shape forms a vital part of the quality control process for manymanufacturing industries. The worldwide dimensional metrology equipment market is over $13bn and growing at 8% p.a. The traditional workhorse of the metrology lab, the Coordinate Measurement Machine, is accurate to 1 part in 100,000 or more, but is slow, expensive, and unsuitable for fragile samples. Optical alternatives developed in the last 15 years offer very high scan rates at reduced cost, but have three main drawbacks:1. Lateral resolution is typically 1 part in 1,000, limiting ability to measure geometricalfine detail;2. Accuracy is typically no more than 1 part in 20,000;3. ‘Un-cooperative’ surfaces (e.g. shiny metals, black carbon fibre composites) can bedifficult to measure.Phase Vision has developed successful white light scanners that overcome these challenges for objects of 0.5 – 2m size, and now wishes to develop a product family for samples in the more challenging 0.1 – 0.5 m size range that will - for the first time - bridge the performance gap between optical and mechanical scanners. The project will bring to market IP that has been validated and patented through previous feasibility studies. Objectives are:1. Develop a prototype for a new optical 3D sensor with up to 5x improvement in lateralresolution and a 5x improvement in measurement accuracy compared to the current state of the art;2. Implement novel algorithms incorporating the new hardware platform to allowmeasurement of both shiny and low reflectivity surfaces.The main benefit to Phase Vision will be new products that will address a broader market and thus allow faster market penetration. Benefits to the end users will include enhanced manufacturing efficiency; reduced time to market for new products; and increased efficiency or performance of products such as composite wings or jet engine turbine blades, all of which will translate to economic savings and reduced carbon footprints.