Can I Build My Own Land Surveying Total Station at Home?

[A-A]

I have 2 questions:

1- how tough is building an electronic distance measurement device (a rather small one such as the one's used in land surveying total stations) which for instance can indicate distance of a particular point 1 km away? (our device should fire a laser beam towards the point that is already highlighted by a refelector and calculate the travel time of the beam).

2- how tough is building an electronic angle measurement device (a rather small one such as the one's used in land surveying total stations)?

is it practical to build the above at home with off shelf tools.

To summarize, I want to know how practical is building the electronics of a simple land surveying total station at home, given that one possesses relevant electronic knowledge.

tq.

 

[dingpud]

You might want to look into modifying the basic "sportsman's" range finder...

I don't know if you are going to get the accuracy out of the home brew version as you would a professional land surveying machine.

As for angle measurement, electronics background coupled with some mechanical intuition and machining skills should venture a neat tool.

If you decide to take on this project please post what you've come up with...

-pud-

...success has a thousand fathers while failure is an orphan...

 

[ravenprp]

Building your own land surveying total station at home is not a practical or feasible option. These devices require precise and advanced technology, as well as specialized knowledge and skills. It is not as simple as assembling off-the-shelf tools or components.

To answer your first question, building an electronic distance measurement device that can accurately measure distances up to 1 km is extremely difficult. These devices use advanced technology such as laser beams and reflectors, and require precise calibration and alignment to ensure accurate measurements. It would be difficult to replicate this level of precision at home without access to specialized equipment and knowledge.

Similarly, building an electronic angle measurement device is also a complex task. These devices use advanced optics and sensors to measure angles with high precision. It would be challenging to build such a device at home without the necessary expertise and specialized tools.

In conclusion, building a land surveying total station at home is not a practical or feasible option. These devices require advanced technology, precise calibration, and specialized knowledge and skills. It would be more practical to purchase a total station from a reputable manufacturer or hire a professional land surveyor for accurate and reliable results.