Direct Dimensions Inc — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N204-A01

Description

(2) A Multi-Camera Array for Large-Patch High-Resolution High-Speed 3D Capture Direct Dimensions, Inc. (DDI) has been providing 3D scanning services, and developing custom 3D measurement systems for 25 years. We have extensive experience scanning ships, planes, vehicles, and parts for the DOD, most-recently developing a custom 3D inspection system to be deployed at four naval shipyards. Photogrammetry is a well-known method of 3D scanning, capable of instantaneous capture at high resolution. However there are no commercially-available, fully-integrated photogrammetry-based systems. DDI has built its own custom systems for applications that lend themselves to the technology. Naval vehicle 3D capture and modeling is an application well-suited to photogrammetry. We propose to develop and prototype a multi-camera photogrammetric scanner configured specifically for the capture of large naval platforms. Such a  system should be capable of scanning faster than LIDAR (less than a second versus minutes), with greater resolution than LIDAR (hundredths versus tenths of an inch), capturing large patches (tens of square feet) at large stand-offs (tens of feet.)