Research on dimension measurement based on 3D point cloud for helicopter rotor blade

Helicopter rotor blades, characterized by their complex surfaces, play a vital role in the aerodynamic performance of helicopters. The dimensional accuracy of these components is traditionally determined through manual inspection, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. This research presents an automated, digital, and non-contact method to measure the geometric dimensions of helicopter rotor blades using three-dimensional point clouds. The process begins with preprocessing the point cloud by establishing topological relationships, estimating surface normal, and filtering noise. Next, the point cloud is transformed into a measurement coordinate system through registration. Finally, a cross-sectional point cloud analysis method is proposed to achieve accurate geometric measurements. Experimental validation using real point clouds demonstrates that the proposed method substantially improves both the precision and efficiency of rotor blade measurements.