Method and apparatus for following and inspecting an edge or border
US6909799B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K26/044
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
To follow and inspect a common edge between two sheet metal blanks which are to be welded together, a line pattern is projected across the edge by a projector and is imaged by a camera. The image captured is analyzed in order to derive from the trace of the lines information on the gap between the blanks, or on the track of the edge. The pattern projected has several lines with different light intensities. When the photographed image is processed, it is then possible—even if there is variation in the reflection characteristics of the sheet metal blanks—to select a line which is neither too faint nor too bright in the image obtained and which can therefore be used for meaningful analysis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.