Application of binocular vision probe on measurement of highly reflective metallic surface

Reverse engineering of free-form surfaces is one of the most challenging technologies in advanced manufacturing. With the development of industry more and more sculptured surfaces, such as molds and turbine blades, are required to measure quickly and accurately. Optical non-contact probes possess many advantages, such as high speed, no measuring force, in comparison with contact ones. The ability of stereo vision probe with CCD cameras in gathering a large amount of information simultaneously makes it the most popularly used one in sculptured surface measurements. So a non-contact measurement system is built which consists of CMM and a vision probe with many techniques. It distinguishes itself by high efficiency, high accuracy and reliability, as well as applicability for on-line measurement of complicated sculptured surfaces. With a virtual 3D target in form of a grid plate, all the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of CCD camera including the uncertainty of image scale factor and optical center of camera can be readily calibrated. Through measuring cylindrical section and surface of gauge block, this system is viable to measure free-form surface and high-reflective metallic surface.