High speed 3D scanner with real-time 3D processing

A novel 3D sensing system with real-time 3D processing has been developed which is capable of scanning an object at very high speeds (greater than 500,000 3D points/second) and creating high-resolution 3D surface maps. Laser triangulation is used in conjunction with a high-resolution camera, a laser diode, and processing electronics all incorporated into a small sensor package that traverses linearly or rotates from a fixed position to scan an object. Processing is done on board the instrument and the resultant 3D data is transmitted to a PC. This results in rapid scans, with 3D images produced as the instrument is scanning. The sensing system was developed for the NASA Mars rover program and for the inspection of Shuttle Thermal Protection System (tiles), radiator, and structures.