High-Speed 3D Measurement Systems

Highly dynamic 3D shape capture for metrology and quality assurance with GOBO projection and LED-based multi-aperture pattern projection

The Imaging & Sensing department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF conceptualizes and realizes optical 3D measurement systems for various applications based on modern imaging 3D measurement methods (pattern projection, stereo image processing, photogrammetry), digital projection techniques (LCoS, DMD, OLED), new micro-optical projection techniques (array projection) and adapted software concepts.

Possible applications for optical 3D measurement systems are wide-ranging and include quality assurance in tool and mold making, the optical industry, mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, medicine and criminalistics.

Using the system name goSPE3D, the Imaging & Sensing department develops and manufactures high-speed 3D measurement systems for the automotive industry.

With the systems goCRASH3D, the system family is supplemented and completed by acceleration-resistant, robust 3D measurement systems that can also be moved during system tests. These systems can withstand accelerations of up to 60g.

Innovative approaches are being developed at Fraunhofer IOF to meet the increasing demands on 3D image rates. By using micro-optical array projection techniques and advanced pattern projection methods such as GOBO projection, impressive 3D measurement rates of up to 50,000 data sets per second with up to 1 million 3D pixels are achieved. These technologies allow us to poignantly capture highly dynamic processes such as airbag deployment and moving scenes in three dimensions and to further process the data effectively for metrology and quality assurance tasks.

Our services

Fraunhofer IOF offers customized system solutions that seamlessly integrate optical metrology into automated manufacturing and testing processes.

• Tailor-made development and production of high-speed 3D measurement systems according to individual customer requirements
• Seamless integration of metrology into existing processes
• Implementation of highly dynamic 3D measurements as a service, even in challenging situations or harsh environments

Many applications in in-line production monitoring, machine-integrated 3D measurement, 3D measurement of moving persons in medicine and sport and security technology (3D person recognition) require a 3D frame rate of more than 30 3D images per second. This is often not feasible with conventional image recording and projection techniques. To address this problem, Fraunhofer IOF is developing completely new approaches using micro-optical array projection techniques and new pattern projection methods (e.g., GOBO projection) that enable pattern projection of up to several kHz. Using array projection technology, 3D measurement rates of 1500 3D images / second with 1 million 3D pixels each have been realized to date. Using high-speed camera systems in conjunction with GOBO projection systems, 50,000 3D images / second with 250,000 3D pixels each have already been realized. This will make it possible to capture highly dynamic processes and moving measurement scenes in 3D and compare them with simulation results in future.