I would like your opinion
on the merits of a research project my group is working on. One of our goals is to use
machine vision and a touch probe to increase the speed and ease of use of
coordinate measuring machine tasks. At present, this aspect of the project
is a research effort, but we're hoping that the advantage of using a camera
as a means of sensing the work environment (rather than as a measurement
sensor) might appeal to users. Our current task is fixtureless inspection,
or the ability to place a part to be measured anywhere on the CMM table
(within the camera's field of view.) Vision will provide the pose of the
object and will eliminate the need for time consuming fixturing.
However, this is a solution to a problem that we "think" might need solving.
Our goal is NOT to simply "play in a sandbox", but to study and provide
solutions to long term problems. As a reality check, I'm interested in the CMM community's
reaction to this application and to any other suggestions users might make
regarding the use of vision. We're also interested in collaborating with CMM
users to solve problems of mutual interest.
Please post your response to both this address and my email address:
nashman@cme.nist.gov
Marilyn Nashman Abrams