W.E.T.Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Edge Finder

Hi All:
I have been watching closely the camera thread. What I was
wonder is how close could you come with one of the hologram beam
spreader on a laser diodes if you used it as an edge finder on you
cnc machine. The laser edge finder I saw at the NAMES show had about
a .030 inch wide beam and you had to split it by eye. Would the beam
spreader or some type of beam spliter on the lens be able to give
you a cross hair effect for a more accuracy in locating an edge.
Another thought about the 3D camera. If the camera was set a
fixed distance from the centerline of the spindle (Like a second
spindle) and it was used to measure a part with the machine could you
not use this same information to machine a second part. Or in
another case could you not use it something like a duplicator and use
the camera to view a part and follow the view to machine another part
to match the first part. This would be a 2D sit up but I sure could
use one right now on my Bridgeport to make a couple of replacement
parts for an ATV. Any ideas on how to make this work so I don't have
to indicate a whole lot on these parts would give me more time to
play.
A different though. Is there a software (cheap) that you could
use the camera going from one position on the part to another
position on the part the same as you would be doing in machining the
part to teach the computer a program for machining a second part?
Thank for your, time consideration, and ideas.
GOD'S BLESSINGS
Bill



What I thought would work would be a hologram beam spreader like the
ones you screw on the end of a laser pointer. They're cheap and if you
alternate two laser diodes with crosshatch patterned outputs, it'd be
almost as good as white noise for averaging. And you wouldn't need a
lens or projector or any of that other nonsense. Heck, you may well be
able to use it with a decent LED.