Characterization of the accuracy in a reverse engineering process employing white light scanned data to develop constraint-based three dimensional computer models

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Christopher W. Rhoades (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Chip Ferguson

Abstract: The statistical accuracy of constraint-based three-dimensional (3D) models created using reverse engineering software to post process scan data collected by an Advanced Topometric Sensor (ATOS) system is currently unpublished information useful to the end-user. Throughout the process of scanning an object and converting the scanned data into a constraint-based 3D model, error can be introduced into the final model. The error introduced into the constraint-based 3D model is difficult to calculate due to a large number of variables and factors. The current study sought to characterize the accuracy of this process based on different measurement volumes and object sizes. Optical 3D metrology techniques have become an accepted method in the field of reverse engineering. The popularity of optical 3D metrology is due in large part to the non-contact approach, which can quickly produce a dense point cloud. Using post-processing software, these point clouds can be converted into a constraint-based 3D model and used in much the same manners as 3D models created using CAD software. To simulate a variety of measurement conditions, four measurement volumes and three object sizes were selected generating a total of 36-point clouds. The 36-point clouds were converted into constraint-based 3D models. Four measurements were collected from each 3D model. To analyze the data collected, hypothesis testing was conducted to compare the data and inferential statistics were applied. The statistical tests include one-sample t-tests, two-sample t-tests, a General Linear Model (GLM), and multiple 1-way ANOVA. The statistical test found that a difference existed between the measured values and the actual values for both the object size and measurement volume.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2011
Keywords
3D scanning, ATOS, Structured light scanning
Subjects
Reverse engineering
Model-integrated computing

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