Patent · US Active

Edge profilometer

US11628622B2 · kind B2 · utility

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0References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 1, 2021
Grant dateApr 18, 2023
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 1, 2041

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB33Y10/00
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A profilometer provides, to a controller, a feedback signal indicative of topography of an exposed surface of an object that is being manufactured by a 3d printer. The profilometer includes an emitter and a camera. The emitter illuminates a region of surface of the object with a pattern having an edge that defines a boundary of an illuminated portion of the surface. The camera receives an image that transitions between a first state in which the edge is visible in the image at a location that is indicative of the surface's depth and a second state in which the edge is not visible at all. From this second state, the controller obtains information representative of a depth of the surface.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.