Hi Doddy.
This is what I had in mind. A proximity sensor for zero-ing the blade before each command, and a keypad, to imput a measument and hit enter. I am sure it is very do-able, for the people who know how. I am not one of them. :p Btw, I would very much prefer to not have a pc included in this equation. There is some will and some ability to put in practice the project. The "how" thing, it's a whole other story.