Turning Point in 3D Metrology

Just as the Personal Computer (PC) was a turning point for the computer industry, modern digital cameras represent a turning point for 3D metrology.

Several decades ago, computers were large, expensive devices.  They were slow, unreliable, and difficult to use.  The price of the computer hardware was a large portion of its cost of deployment.

But, then, a turning point occurred.  The price-performance of the computer increased so dramatically, that it became useful to a large segment of society.  It was fast, relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use, easy-to-network, and reliable.

The same thing is happening to digital cameras.

As recently as 15 years ago, digital cameras were slow, unreliable, low-resolution, and expensive.  But, the landscape is changing rapidly.  In fact, the turning point has already occurred.  Digital cameras, like computers, are fast, relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use, easy-to-network, and reliable.

3D metrology benefits directly from this.

• The speed of modern cameras means an image can be quickly transferred to a PC for processing.  What used to take minutes is now milliseconds.  The processing of the image takes place in seconds instead of hours.
• What used to cost tens of thousands of dollars is now a few hundreds of dollars (for similar performance).  What was not available in the marketplace is now ubiquitous.
• Ease-of use allows for easier, more flexible integration, and therefore improved deployment and performance.  This also feeds into R&D cycles, and improves product development, resulting in mature 3D metrology products.
• Cameras are now supported by built-in network array options, so cameras can be set up to measure components from many angles simultaneously.
• Reliability means cameras can transmit hundreds of thousands or millions of images without an error.

In summary, customer needs are increasingly met by modern cameras.  What may have been impossible only 15 years ago is now inevitable!