Freezing Time: Dynamic Laser Tracker Measurements With the Pixel Probe Using Temporal Aliasing

Abstract

In this article, we present a noncontact technique for measuring objects in motion with a laser tracker without need of the laser tracker following the object. This method allows the dynamic state of an object to be measured while, to the laser tracker, the object appears to be stationary. Through temporal aliasing, this technique decomposes the dynamic frame of an object into an instantaneous stationary frame of reference with respect to the laser tracker. The Pixel Probe and laser tracker are used to demonstrate this method. The frame rate of the three cameras in the Pixel Probe are adjusted to selectively alias the motion of an object into a stationary frame of reference. By triggering the cameras in