Rapid prototyping models generated from machine vision data

This paper presents the development of both hardware and software systems suitable for the three-dimensional (3D) digitization and computer modeling of objects intended for manufacture via computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining or rapid prototyping and tooling systems. The hardware sub-system is comprised of a 3D machine vision sensor integrated with a CNC machine tool. The software sub-system is comprised of modules capable of modeling very large 3D data sets (termed cloud data) using a unified, non-redundant triangular mesh. This representation is accomplished from the 3D data points by a novel triangulation process. Several case studies are presented that illustrate the efficacy of the technique for rapid manufacture from an initial designerʹs model.