Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPMLaser light for 3D measurements on a meter scale with accuracies in the sub-micrometer range
Goal of the project
The MIAME project aims to develop the world’s first optical coordinate measuring machine that can quickly conduct full-surface measurements of large complex objects (meter scale) with interferometric (sub-micrometer) accuracy. The core component is a novel light source based on so-called whispering gallery resonators that enable controlled detuning of the emitted wavelength in the range of several hundred GHz. This allows for a self-configuring digital-holographic sensor system, which – when operated in a multi-axis handling system (e.g. a 5-axis machining center, see figure) – can detect up to 500 million 3D points per second. The goal is to achieve single point accuracy of better than 0.1 µm and an unambiguity range of up to 1000 mm.
Laser light source based on whispering gallery resonators
A laser light source which is not currently available on the market will be developed as part of the project and will form the core of the digital-holographic coordinate measurement system. The light source must be able to be switched quickly and precisely between different wavelengths. The interference patterns at these individual wavelengths are recorded and compared. The unambiguity range can calculated using the synthetic wavelengths, which become greater the closer together the real laser wavelengths are. The project involves the development of a laser light source based on whispering gallery resonators. This work will draw on research conducted as part of the Professorship for Optical Systems at the University of Freiburg, which has close ties to Fraunhofer IPM.
