explore3DM – a digital marketplace and online knowledge base for 3D measurement and 3D metrology

Abstract

explore3DM is under development as a digital market place to connect end users of 3D measurement and metrology with the systems, service and research providers who can offer solutions to their measurement problems.

When fully developed it will incorporate a knowledge base centred on large-volume and portable 3D technologies for applications in manufacturing. However, the technology spectrum will extend to include smaller-scale and fixed-location measurement such coordinate measurement machines (CMMs) and X-ray computed tomography (CT). Larger scales as defined by civil engineering construction and complex process plant will also be covered. Closely related 3D application areas will additionally be included such as motion capture (MoCap), heritage recording and augmented reality (AR).

There is currently no comparable central resource for a technology field which has been growing constantly for the past 40 years. One of several key features is the objective to offer solutions to both every-day and challenging 3D measurement tasks. Ideas under consideration include a searchable applications database, task profile matching and a contact exchange where 3D experts can respond to end-user problems.

The resource is intended to be free to use and free for supporting research groups as participants. The resource will generate revenue from commercial partners to support and sustain this unfunded development. Part of the revenue will also contribute to advancing 3D measurement technologies. Here, researchers and end users are expected to benefit from improved connections between them. Cross-sector interests, for example in manufacturing and construction, will also be exploited to enhance the impact of 3D measurement and metrology.

Biography

Stephen Kyle works both independently in large-volume metrology (LVM) and as a Principal Research Fellow at University College London (UCL). At UCL he supports the work of Prof. Stuart Robson, who was last year appointed as the Airbus / Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in LVM. This work continues a long-standing cooperation between Airbus and UCL as well as contributing to cross-sector industrial engagement promoted through an RA Eng. work package.

Stephen is currently the UCL co-organizer of the 3D Metrology Conference (www.3dmc.events) and a co-author of “Close Range Photogrammetry and 3D Imaging”, now the third English edition of Thomas Luhmann’s original German textbook “Nahbereichsphotogrammetrie”.

Stephen has previously also worked in commercial systems development at Leica Geosystems (now Hexagon MI) where, for example, he was part of the development team which created the first 6 DoF laser tracker.

For explore3DM, Stephen is in partnership with Marked Improvement, a web development company based in the UK and Spain.