Old 1900’s photogrammetry system
Photogrammetry is the science of acquiring and interpreting 3-dimensional data of real objects by measuring and analyzing their images. While in use since the mid-1800’s, the development of photogrammetry as a measurement tool has paralleled the development of computers. Early industrial applications in the 1970’s rapidly changed from film formats and analog measurement equipment to digital imagery measured on laptops in the early 1990’s.
3SPACE Inc. Metrology Equipments
Today’s photogrammetry systems are highly precise and fast tools that excel as inspection devices in a production environment. Although target location and error trapping techniques continue to be refined and improved, the basic concept of triangulation and resection of image points and camera positions remains unchanged since its inception.
Triangulation employs the same math used to locate your cell phone via the GPS system’s satellites. Using photo reflective targets, codes, and scale bars we can use photogrammetry to triangulate between images taken to create a point cloud with very precise measurements. Resection takes these triangulated point values and calculates the camera positions and orientations. This process is known as the “Bundle Adjustment”. Named thusly as the multiple camera images form “bundles” of rays or lines of sight converging on each measurement point. Accuracies achieved on the resulting point clouds are comparable to other portable measurement devices such as coordinate measurement arms, laser trackers, and industrial total stations. Typical accuracies seen are 0.001 inch per 10 foot cube. Photogrammetry has the additional advantage of not needing a stable mount ( i.e. tripod) to obtain measurements. It can be hand held and used from a temporary perch such as a man-lift.
Standard Photogrammetric Camera
Photogrammetric point clouds can be transformed into CAD models, fabrication drawings, animations, and other formats to help visualize and predict the final fit up and configuration of your products. Whatever your measurement requirements, count on 3SPACE to deliver confidence that your deliverables meet your customers requirements. Call us at 321.952.1575 today to see how we can help you.
