A Handheld 3D Surface Measurement System

Abstract

GelSight Mobile is a handheld, high-resolution, 3D surface measurement system. The system uses an elastomeric gel with a painted membrane that conforms to the inspection surface together with a camera and custom algorithms. The device is capable of quantifying surface geometry down to one micrometer on any rigid material, including metals, composites, plastics, and glass, regardless of the optical properties of the surface. A detailed 3D surface is reconstructed within seconds. GelSight, Inc., has validated the performance results for spatial (X-Y) and depth (Z) measurements, and developed several novel measurement algorithms of specific interest in the aerospace industry, including fastener flushness.