Industrial photogrammetry - challenges and opportunities

Optical 3-D measurement systems based on photogrammetric methods are increasingly and successfully being applied in industrial applications, covering different sectors like automotive or aerospace industries, research facilities like particle accelerators but also emerging technologies like renewable energy. The systems are utilized throughout the whole product lifecycle - ranging from applications in R&D, development, testing, manufacturing and final quality control. Like the whole market for optical three-dimensional technologies it is a rapidly growing technology sector. As the boundaries to other optical technologies like laser triangulation sensors, white light scanning or even tactile measurement systems are narrowing, an overview of technologies used and the relevance of photogrammetric solutions in the different applications and sectors will be given.