초록 ▼

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation of a electronic domain geometric modeling data file containing internal and external features of an object of interest by first successively removing contours of material forming the object to form exposed surfaces and thereby re

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation of a electronic domain geometric modeling data file containing internal and external features of an object of interest by first successively removing contours of material forming the object to form exposed surfaces and thereby reveal the internal and external features contour by contour and second by subsequently, successively acquiring data relative to the exposed surfaces. The geometry of each exposed surface is obtained, processed and recorded after each contour is removed. The processing is converted to perimeter data to define the internal and external features and surfaces of the object and the perimeter data is combined to yield a three dimensional electronic domain representation of the object. If desired this representation can be displayed on a computer monitor or printed onto paper. In a representative embodiment of the present invention a face mill is provided to remove the contours, a scanner is used to obtain the data relative to the exposed surfaces, and a shuttle is used to transport the object between the mill and the scanner for alternating steps of material removal and scanning.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for producing electronic data representations of an object, the object being formed from at least one material, said apparatus comprising: a material removal station; a data gathering station; and a shuttle providing relative movement of the object between said stations; wherein said mater

Apparatus for producing electronic data representations of an object, the object being formed from at least one material, said apparatus comprising: a material removal station; a data gathering station; and a shuttle providing relative movement of the object between said stations; wherein said material removal station comprises: means for removing a predetermined layer of material from the object to expose a surface; wherein said data gathering station comprises: means for successively imaging the exposed surface of the object after removal of a predetermined layer; and means for storing data gathered by said means for imaging; and wherein said shuttle comprises: a table for holding the object; means for providing relative movement of said table between said material removal station and said data gathering station; wherein said means for moving said table comprises: means for moving said table in a first, substantially linear direction between a first position in which said table is at said data gathering station in imaging alignment with said means for successively imaging the object, and a second position in which said table is at said material removal station in material removing alignment with said means for removing a predetermined layer of material from the object, said first direction moving means comprising: a screw drive having first and second ends; a first motor, said motor being drivingly attached to said first end of said drive, said second end of said screw drive being rotationally mounted by a bearing; and a nut threadingly engaging said screw, said table being mounted to said nut.