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

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, wthomas@... wrote:

>
> 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.

doubtful, you are limited to *relatively* thick beams if you want the
edge finder to work at many different z heights without adjustment.
You could focus it to a point or use a diffractive optic to form a
cross or similar but they will tend to only form very sharply and at a
small size at a specific plane, that said you have a nice z-axis for
adjustment.

After having a look at John Stevenson's X3 conversion I can vouch for
the spindle mounted webcam approach, now intergrated into mach3 and
complete with cross hair, it looked excellent and you could increase
the maginification if you wanted although this would also effect the
depth of field but again you have the z-axis to get it in focus.

Graham