Non-Contact Measurement of 3D Surfaces at Specified, Evenly Spaced Points

To define key inspection points on the 3D surface, imprint it with a topologically rectangular line grid of high contrast - ideally white on black, or vice versa. To denote the grid origin, add a circular marker in one corner, by convention at the top left.

Do you need to analyze the deformation of pressure sensor vests in crash testing? The typically imprinted contrast line grid defines 475 points you can measure before and after the impact.

Rather than manually measuring hundreds of points, the object is captured from multiple angles by ATOS reference point measurements or TRITOP photogrammetry measurements.

For example, when measuring the pressure sensor vest of a crash test dummy, 12 measurements are sufficient, distributed across 4 longitudinal and 3 latitudinal positions around the front of the dummy.

You can select individual grid points by mouse click and access their data through Python scripts - more on that later.

After importing measurement data, the software can automatically recognize the grid origin and iteratively all visible adjacent grid points, while providing real-time updates.

The dialog allows you to adjust the contrast and proportions of the grid origin. The default settings work straightaway for the pressure sensor vest used in crash testing. For other applications, the parameters can be easily adapted, and we are happy to assist in creating custom grid designs.

The app includes 2 Python scripts designed to enhance your workflow. You can use these scripts as-is or customize them for your specific needs.

The first script allows you to convert grid points to individual point elements. You select the grid to convert, either fully or downsampled, as well as the name prefix of the automatically numbered point elements to be created.

The second script allows you to export grid points to an ASCII file, e.g. to import into another software. You select the grid to export, either fully or downsampled, as well as the name prefix of the automatically numbered point names. These, followed by the respective 3D position coordinates, will be written as consecutive lines in the file, in a folder you also select.