DIY Laser levelling using webcam and laser level

[devmonkey]

The picture you attached to the previous post was not the latest version John, the latest version has a table of measurements taken and smoothing when taking a measurement, export to csv, etc. Maybe that photo you took was from some previous experiment?

3um = 0.00011811" (Inches) --> CORRECT

FYI, this is what the latest version looks like:

[John McNamara]

Hi Joe

I ran the tests again this time using a small LED torch as a bright light source.
This gives a very sharp high contrast graph.

Strangely the scaling changed to 119.9 pixel lines with the new light source. I repeated the test a couple of times. the results were the same.

I did not change the gap between the wire and the sensor. it must be caused by the change in light source.

I used the software measure table and recorded every step between zero using 0.05mm steps see image below.

The setup I am using moves the sensor not the wire, Important for a point light source to avoid the shadow elongating like the sun in late afternoon.

This is easy to prove moving the torch by the slightest amount changes the measurement.
I really want to find an evenly dispersed light source.

I have yet to try your smoothing settings, That will be interesting.

Edit just noticed the software has changed a bit more. I will update


Regards
John

[John McNamara]

Hi Joe
Hi All

I downloaded the next version that displays a graph of the measured points. And look how nice and linear the graph is! .05mm measurement steps on the dial indicator.



I ran it 3 times to check.

While testing I moved the light a tiny bit. I had to start again, The light source will have to be rigidly mounted on the platform or you will get errors.

Will the current software work with higher resolution cameras say 1080P? I realize there would be more number crunching for he processor.

Regards
John

[devmonkey]

Hi John, Yes with your shadow camera setup you will always have to move the light source with the sensor board, they really need to be bolted together with a gap for the wire. I have used translucent white perspex for led light diffusion before, works really well, you can buy it on amazon.