Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digitizer, Optical mouse hacking

Smoke

I did not describe the device well enough. The optical sensor would not
interact with the surface being scanned. The optical sensor would sit above
a probe and would detect any XY motion of the probe indicating deflection.

Breaking it down there would be a probe that would pass through a circular
bearing about a third of the way up which would allow free movement of the
top of the probe but that movement would be amplified 2:1 due to the
position of the bearing. Another third of the way up would be four springs
attached to the probe providing tension in the X and Y plane and returning
the probe to center after being deflected. At the top of the probe would be
a patterned plate which would be positioned just below the mouse optical
sensor. Any deflection of the probe by encountering an object would cause
the plate to move and fool the optics into thinking the mouse was moving.
The Z movement of the probe would be connected to a mouse button.

Software wise, say an extension to EMC, it would monitor the mouse port for
either XY movement or the Z click. Either of these would trigger a datapoint
collection and a translation along the object being scanned. My guess is
that a .0005 deflection which would be .001 on the plate would trigger the
device.

Graham

> I've heard those optical sensors won't work well on ANY surface. A

problem

> wouold probably surface if you try digitizing a piece of glassware or
> perhaps a mirror that has been surface carved before digitizing.
>
> Smoke
>