A Method of Determining Sphere Center to Center Distance Using Laser Trackers For Evaluating Laser Scanners.

Published

November 11, 2014

Author(s)

Prem K. Rachakonda, Balasubramanian Muralikrishnan, Vincent D. Lee, Daniel S. Sawyer, Steven D. Phillips, John Palmateer

Abstract

The Dimensional Metrology Group (DMG) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is involved in the development of documentary standards for volumetric performance evaluation of laser scanners. Typical evaluation of these scanners involves the usage of contrast targets, whose position cannot easily be calibrated for such an evaluation. The DMG, along with members of the ASTM E57 committee are exploring the usage of a grid of spheres whose position could be calculated accurately using other instruments such as laser trackers and CMMs. Laser trackers and CMMs offer lower uncertainties, an order of magnitude lower than the current generation of laser scanners. Challenges in establishing such a calibrated grid of spheres include the commercial availability of high quality spheres which are conducive to both laser scanners and the calibration instrument (either a laser tracker or a CMM). Material and surface finish properties such as stiffness, reflectivity, penetration and form affect the usage of such spheres for such a performance evaluation. This paper will present techniques explored at NIST to establish a grid of spheres, calibrated using a high accuracy dimensional measurement instrument such as a laser tracker or a CMM.

Conference Dates

November 9-14, 2014

Conference Location

Gaithersburg, MD

Conference Title

Volumetric Performance Evaluation of Laser Scanners Using a Calibrated Grid of Spheres

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

laser scanners, performance evaluation, volumetric evaluation, laser trackers, spherical targets

Citation

Rachakonda, P. , Muralikrishnan, B. , Lee, V. , Sawyer, D. , Phillips, S. and Palmateer, J. (2014), A Method of Determining Sphere Center to Center Distance Using Laser Trackers For Evaluating Laser Scanners., Volumetric Performance Evaluation of Laser Scanners Using a Calibrated Grid of Spheres, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=916458 (Accessed November 3, 2025)