Machine Vision - Three-dimensional Methods

The most advanced machine vision systems typically involve acquisition and interpretation of three-dimensional information. These systems often require more sophisticated illumination and processing techniques than one- and two-dimensional systems, but their results can be riveting. These scanners can characterize an object's shape three-dimensionally to tolerances of far less than a millimeter. This allows them to do things such as identify three-dimensional object orientation (important for assembly applications), check for subtle surface deformations in high precision machined parts, and generate detailed surface maps used by computer-controlled machining systems to create clones of the scanned object.