Paper 3: Non-Contact Surface Contour Analyser

This paper describes the development of an accurate and rapid non-contact technique for numerically defining three-dimensional surface contour. Because the basic technique uses a diffusely reflected spot of light on the test surface to define surface position, considerable attention is given to surface condition variables which influence the ability and effectiveness of following a moving light spot on a test surface. Methods for transforming data points representative of surface contour into a practical form satisfying engineering and inspection requirements are also discussed.