This thesis details the development, performance, and analysis of tests for the dynamic performance evaluation for laser trackers. Laser trackers are large-scale measuring systems that utilize a spherical coordinate system for measurement. These systems are capable of measurement in both static and dynamic modes, but both national and international standards for performance evaluation of these instruments only addresses static measurement. The purpose of this work is to develop standard methods to evaluate the performance of a laser tracker’s dynamic measurement capabilities.Experiments were developed and carried out to both compare trackers and to provide a basis for the quantitative statement of performance capabilities. Three laser trackers, all from different manufacturers, were evaluated to demonstrate the variation from tracker to tracker. These test setups used precision equipment and artifacts to establish a basis for comparison, so that errors of measurement could be reported with limited uncertainty, in addition to repeatability. Different parameters, such as the speed of the target, the angular velocity of the tracker head, the distance from the tracker to the target, and interaction of the three tracker axes were varied to study their impact on the accuracy of tracker measurements. The variables with significant impact were identified and the results were used to develop a suggestion for a standard evaluation procedure.Trends were observed of increased error with increased angular velocity at the tracker head as well as scanning configurations that require the most interaction between the azimuth and elevation axes of the tracker.
