The NIST 66 m Ball Range A One Dimensional Artifact to test Three Dimensional Imaging Systems

Published

November 3, 2010

Author(s)

Bruce R. Borchardt, Craig M. Shakarji

Abstract

NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology) has instituted a 66 m long range for testing of distance-measuring systems. The range consists of titanium balls mounted along a line on stands at unequal intervals. This paper describes this range, including the uncertainty of the calibrated ball positions. The range has been shown to be stable and repeatable at the 20 m level, and if calibrated from day to day is capable of being used as a workable test range. The overall array of kinematic nests holding titanium balls can be used as a facility for performing range tests of three-dimensional (3D) imaging systems at the level of about 1 x 10-6 (k = 2 relative uncertainty). Continued monitoring of the positions has shown some interesting instabilities which do not interfere with using the range for its intended purpose.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 7725

Report Number

7725

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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DOI Link

Keywords

Large Scale Metrology, 3D scanning, Length metrology

Citation

Borchardt, B. and Shakarji, C. (2010), The NIST 66 m Ball Range A One Dimensional Artifact to test Three Dimensional Imaging Systems, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7725 (Accessed October 27, 2025)