Measuring Rotational and Translational Movements in Rotating Machines Using a Computer Vision Approach

For a variety of production and development processes, there is a need for precise and reliable measurements of rotating machinery or objects. In this article, an alternative approach is introduced to assess both rotational and translational movements in a rotor by employing the technique known as “visual encoder.” This methodology combines principles of computer vision with visual components, operating analogously to conventional optical encoders. Non-contact measurements provided by visual encoders offer several advantages, including the ability to withstand free movements and oscillations along the rotation axis, as well as application in hostile environments, such as high-temperature conditions that might pose challenges for conventional measurement methods. The proposed method incorporates translational motion tracking into rotational velocity measurement using cost-effective conventional equipment. Experimental tests demonstrate that the developed system exhibited high precision and robustness under various operating conditions, successfully operating even at rotational frequencies close to the sampling rate. The results validate the developed technique as a viable alternative for measuring rotation and translational movement in rotor applications.