The articulated laser sensor is a new kind of trans-scale and non-contact measurement instrument in regular-size space and industrial applications. These sensors overcome many deficiencies and application limitations of traditional measurement methods. The articulated laser sensor consists of two articulated laser sensing modules, and each module is made up of two rotary tables and one collimated laser. The three axes represent a non-orthogonal shaft architecture. The calibration method of system parameters for traditional instruments is no longer suitable. A novel high-accuracy calibration method of an articulated laser sensor for trans-scale 3D measurement is proposed. Based on perspective projection models and image processing techniques, the calibration method of the laser beam is the key innovative aspect of this study and is introduced in detail. The experimental results show that a maximum distance error of 0.05 mm was detected with the articulated laser sensor. We demonstrate that the proposed high-accuracy calibration method is feasible and effective, particularly for the calibration of laser beams.

An articulated laser sensor, which is a new kind of trans-scale, non-contact metrological instrument, is principally made up of two articulated laser sensing modules. Each module is composed of two rotary tables and one collimated laser. Calibrating the spatial pose of a laser beam is a key aspect of the measurement system. In this paper we propose a one-dimensional linear displacement optical calibration device for high stability and easily performed calibration. Through analysis of space vectors and image processing, a calibration method for spatial pose of the laser beam is introduced in detail. The calibration method is divided into two parts: calibration of the direction vector of the laser beam and a fixed point on the laser beam. Firstly, the direction vector of the laser beam is calibrated using the proposed calibration device. Then a set of points on the laser beam is obtained and the linear fitting is performed. By comparing the direction vector of the fitted line and the direction vector of the above laser beam, the optimal fixed point on the fitted line is obtained. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed calibration method is accurate and effective.

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