Deformation identification and estimation of one-dimensional objects by using vision sensors

The use of vision sensors to study object deformation is discussed. The vision sensor is used to identify the deformation characteristic and estimate the deformation of flexible beams. First, a nonlinear equation describing the deformation of the beam is given. Then, cubic spline functions are used to approximate the contour of the deformed beam after the beam is detected by the vision sensor. Using the cubic spline approximation and Maclaurin´s series expansion, a procedure for determining the deformation characteristic is formulated. To estimate the deformation of the beam, a numerical differential method for solving the nonlinear equation is used. The error of this numerical method can be controlled with the aid of the vision sensor. Experimental results are given to verify that the proposed methods are effective