A laser sensor with multiple detectors for freeform surface digitization

In this paper, an integrated laser scanning sensor for freeform surface digitization is presented. The sensor consists of a diode laser light source and four position-sensitive device (PSD) detectors. The stand-off distance of the sensor is 180 mm and the measurable range is 90 mm. The Lambert model is applied to calculate the displacement between the sensor and the measured point on the object surface along the optical axis, under the assumption of a diffusive surface. The inclination angle of the measured point from the vertical plane of the laser beam is calculated by mathematical inference. Those data are used in error compensation to improve the system precision. The new design of multiple detectors could increase the measurable angle and could solve the dead-space problem in the single-point laser of triangulation measurement. The computer simulation and actual measurements show that the displacement resolution is around 50 μm, and the system performs well in terms of stability and repeatability. The sensor system could be mounted on the NC machine or on the X–Y platform for freeform surface digitization.