DIY Laser levelling using webcam and laser level

[devmonkey]

Hi Bert, I use these, only vga but work really well and super easy to take apart and remount on and solid block.

KKmoon USB 2.0 50.0 M Webcam, HD Camera, Web Cam with Microphone for Computer, PC, Laptop, Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01L1XAQ..._Y2raEbA1MMSQJ

[devmonkey]

I took a punt and picked up a cheap (£25) Bosch laser today. Main reason was I don't want to tear apart my Dewalt and remove the lasers from the pendulum which I think would be required for our purposes. The Bosch unit has the laser firmly mounted into an aluminium chassis, it is actually quite a decent unit. The laser has a cylindrical lens albeit made of plastic. The lens produces an asymetric line, much more line to one side than the other, but I think this is by design as without the pendulum you couldn't use it to level across a transverse wall as well as the wall you have fixed it to, I think it is inconsequential for our purposes.

Anyway I ripped it apart for your pleasure see photos below. I have also tested it with my levelling software and it works very nicely, I think the laser line is slightly thicker than the dewalt but the app can still consistently locate the centre. It is sufficiently solid, from the exposed casting right to the laser which is both clamped and glued as is the lens, to clamp it directly to something in the garage, the laser will not move at all relative to the chassis which is ideal.

Over the next few days I'm going to attempt to map the surface of my new machine frame I'm building on my other thread using this system, will report back with the findings.



As a bonus it has a dot laser in the other end which I can maybe use for straightening the master rail.