3-D imaging is integral to machine vision, dating back to 1960 when Larry Roberts wrote his PhD thesis at MIT on the possibility of extracting 3-D geometric information from the standard 2-D views.
Precision lenses do an excellent job conveying contrast and color from object to image, but they can do a poor job of transferring accurate dimensions, especially if they have small focal lengths.
During the past 25 years, coordinate measuring machine (CMM) sensor technology has expanded from tactile and scanning systems to now include optical, laser and surface finish sensors, effectively expanding the CMM’s capabilities.