Low cost, three dimensional computer vision system for part positioning

The purpose of this project was to design a low cost machine vision system that can be used for part positioning in three dimensions. Three dimensional vision systems generally take a great deal of computer power and therefore are generally very expensive. This system does not attempt to analyze the part in three dimensions. Instead, it utilizes two cameras set 90 degrees apart, viewing the part in two different planes. Data from each camera is analyzed seperately in two dimensions. Each camera informs the other when the part moves closer or further from its lens, helping to keep the other camera calibrated.

The application software is written in the C programming language because it is considered one of the most efficient high level languages.

The system cost is less than $10,000 including the IBM PC. It is capable of locating a 0.25 inch diameter shaft in a one inch by one inch field of view within ± 0.001 inch.