- #1
- 789
- 7
How would go about measuring distance with a laser?
I'd like to construct a zero-contact method of measuring distance much like the commercial units designed to allow digitizing of a model as a retrofit on a 3-axis CNC. My understanding is that they position the X-Y and then determine the Z for each point. I figure with an inexpensive consumer laser and something like a PIC microprocessor I might construct a low-budget form of this.
I remember a physics lab where we measured the velocity of a moving sled using a laser, IIRC we just measured the doppler so no help in this application. So a pulse of the laser and determining the time to return much like SONAR seems plausible.
Am I in way over my head?
Thanks in advance.
Cliff
I'd like to construct a zero-contact method of measuring distance much like the commercial units designed to allow digitizing of a model as a retrofit on a 3-axis CNC. My understanding is that they position the X-Y and then determine the Z for each point. I figure with an inexpensive consumer laser and something like a PIC microprocessor I might construct a low-budget form of this.
I remember a physics lab where we measured the velocity of a moving sled using a laser, IIRC we just measured the doppler so no help in this application. So a pulse of the laser and determining the time to return much like SONAR seems plausible.
Am I in way over my head?
Thanks in advance.
Cliff