A laser projection method including the steps of: irradiating, from a laser projection unit, a workpiece that is a measurement object, with a laser while controlling a plurality of mirror angles; imaging the workpiece with a stereo camera, extracting a contour of the workpiece, and calculating a three-dimensional coordinate; calculating a positional relationship between the laser projection unit and the workpiece by comparing the calculated three-dimensional coordinate of the workpiece contour with the minor angle; and performing coordinate transformation of CAD data information and drawing CAD data from the laser projection unit to the workpiece, based on the positional relationship between the laser projection unit and the workpiece. The machining method including the steps of: selecting a component of a tool; assembling the component; imaging the tool assembled; and determining whether or not a desired tool has been assembled.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining a depth of a feature (4) formed in an object (2), the feature (4) having been formed in the object (2) by a cutting tool (38). The apparatus comprises: a camera (42) configured to capture an image of the feature (4) and a portion of the object (2) proximate to the feature (4); and one or more processors operatively coupled to the camera (42) and configured to: detect, in the image, an edge (72) of the feature (4) between the feature (4) and a surface of the object (2); using the detected edge (72), calculate a diameter for a circle (74, 76, 78); acquire a point angle of the cutting tool (38); and, using the calculated diameter and the acquired point angle, calculate a depth value for the feature (4).

A contactlessly or tactilely measuring measuring system having a multipurpose interface socket for accommodating and for connecting a contactlessly or tactilely measuring measuring device having a light transmitter and a light receiver, for determining the position of a tool or for determining the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in a machine tool. The multipurpose interface socket has the following features: at least one mechanical stop, corresponding to a counterstop on the measuring device, for accommodating and repeatably placing the measuring device on the multipurpose interface socket; at least one second signal transfer point on the multipurpose interface socket, which corresponds to a first signal transfer point on the measuring device; and at least one second fluid transfer point on the multipurpose interface socket, which corresponds to a first fluid transfer point on the measuring device.

A device for determining a dimension of a tool having a cutting edge includes a first light source configured to emit light parallel to a first axis, an image sensor which is associatable with a second axis extending orthogonally to the image sensor and an analyzing unit. The first axis and the second axis are inclined relative to each other. The device is configured such that the light emitted from the first light source is reflectable by the cutting edge of the tool in such a way that light spots arranged in a line on the image sensor are generatable by the reflected light. The analyzing unit is configured to determine positions of the light spots. The dimension of the tool is determinable based on the positions of the light spots.

A laser projection method including the steps of: irradiating, from a laser projection unit, a workpiece that is a measurement object, with a laser while controlling a plurality of mirror angles; imaging the workpiece with a stereo camera, extracting a contour of the workpiece, and calculating a three-dimensional coordinate; calculating a positional relationship between the laser projection unit and the workpiece by comparing the calculated three-dimensional coordinate of the workpiece contour with the minor angle; and performing coordinate transformation of CAD data information and drawing CAD data from the laser projection unit to the workpiece, based on the positional relationship between the laser projection unit and the workpiece. The machining method including the steps of: selecting a component of a tool; assembling the component; imaging the tool assembled; and determining whether or not a desired tool has been assembled.