The Aicon DPA system (Digital Photogrammetric Analysis) is a portable 3D "measuring machine" using a high resolution digital camera as the data acquisition device. By simply photographing the object from different viewing angles, the images can be processed to produce 3D coordinates of all of the measurement points on the part. The calculation is based on the well proven technique of spatial triangulation, or photogrammetry.

At the heart of the system is the DPA software system - unlike previous photogrammetry systems, DPA is totally automatic. No pre-calibration is required, and no user input is required in order to convert the digital photographs into meaningful 3D coordinates. The software can be used simply to generate point locations, which can then be transferred to a third party software, such as Metrolog XG. Alternatively, the software includes a variety of measuring tools for comparing measured points to pre-defined nominal data.

As a recording device, DPA utilises "standard" digital SLR camera technology. The system can use digital images from off-the-shelf cameras by a range of manufacturers, including Fuji, Nikon, Kodak and Canon. The only requirements are that the camera has a high pixel resolution (typically 5 million pixels or greater), fixed focal length with non-zoom optics, and a ring flash for lighting.

In order to collect point data, the object to be measured has a series of targets applied, with a large range of standard adapters available for measuring hole positions, hidden points, etc. A high precision, calibrated scale bar is included within the measurement process to guarantee accuracy and to provide measurement traceability to international standards.

DPA is suitable for a wide variety of applications ranging in size from 300mm up to 30-40 metres.

Due to the unrivalled mobility of the system (only a hand held camera is required), DPA is especially suited to large objects that cannot be moved, or where a large CMM is impractical or inaccessible. In hazardous areas, the hand held camera also means the measurement operation is completed quickly and safely. The powerful software solutions provide results within minutes of the last image being collected. As a result, DPA has many uses within large scale metrology applications such as aerospace, automotive assembly, shipbuilding and train building, jig and fixture calibration, crash testing, deformation tests, etc.

Measurement Solutions have our own DPA system available - contact us now to arrange an on-site demonstration.