3D Point Data Alignment via Hole Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of three-dimensional (3D) scan data from large objects with smooth, featureless surfaces is challenging due to the lack of distinctive features, leading to increased time and cost in the manufacturing process, as manual alignment is often required.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize hole detection and alignment to automatically align 3D scan data by identifying and matching hole positions across overlapping portions of the object's surface, employing a hole detector to generate hole data and a hole aligner to determine translation and rotation for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment is used for featureless surfaces, then alignment accuracy can be maintained, but processing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates holes from the featureless surface to serve as alignment features. By detecting hole positions, depths, and geometries in overlapping scan regions, the system creates distinctive markers that enable automated alignment without requiring manual intervention, thus reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the alignment problem by changing the parameters used for alignment - instead of relying on surface geometry features, it uses hole-specific parameters (position, depth, diameter, geometry) as the basis for automated alignment, enabling featureless surfaces to be aligned automatically
2Measurement precision
If manual alignment is performed for smooth surfaces, then alignment precision is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated alignment by detecting and utilizing holes that naturally exist on the scanned object's surface. The alignment process serves itself by automatically identifying hole features and computing transformation parameters without requiring external manual alignment operations, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining precision
3Productivity
If feature-based automatic alignment is used, then processing efficiency is improved, but it fails for featureless surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal alignment method that works for both featureless and feature-rich surfaces. By using hole detection as the primary alignment feature, the system achieves multi-functionality - it can process smooth featureless surfaces (where traditional methods fail) as well as surfaces with other features, thereby improving both productivity and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes generating, based on first surface data that includes three-dimensional (3D) point positions corresponding to a first portion of a surface of an object, first hole data that indicates first positions of holes in the first portion of the surface. The method includes generating, based on second surface data corresponding to a second portion of the surface of the object, second hole data that indicates second positions of the holes in the second portion of the surface. The method also includes matching the first positions to the second positions to perform an alignment with respect to the first surface data and the second surface data.