Optimal Placement of Vicon Motion Capture Markers to Maximize Asymmetry on Three-Dimensional Bodies

Michael J. Howley*, Christopher D. Griffin
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505

Presentation Category: Engineering (Poster Presentation)

Student’s Major: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

The trajectories of unstable bodies are best studied through the use of motion-capture systems, specifically a Vicon Motion Capture system, which can track reflective markers placed on the body being studied. The rigid body created by the marker pattern allows the precise capture of the body’s position and orientation at high frequencies. Using this data, aerodynamic information can be extrapolated of the body upon which the markers are placed. In order for said aerodynamic information to be as clear as possible, an asymmetric marker distribution is essential. In this work, these markers are placed onto a simulated three-dimensional surface in MATLAB, utilizing random placement and conditional statements to determine their optimal location. Utilizing all of the points on a three-dimensional surface, points with both planar and spherical symmetry to previously placed markers can be excluded from the choices of the next marker placements, and an asymmetrical marker placement will be achieved. It is hoped that this marker placement tool will produce a repeatable method to optimize the marker placement on any shaped 3D object.

Funding: Office of Naval Research

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: a West Virginia SURE program