Accurate Distance Measurement

[Ussuri]

I am looking at measuring a length of 36m length pipe to accurately to within 5mm without access to a total station/EDM.

Is there any low tech way of doing it with a optical theodolite and a tape. And if so how acccurate could I expect to be.

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"The world keeps turning, it keeps me in my place; where I stand is only three miles from space"
Spiritualized

 

[IRstuff]

A laser rangefinder is one choice:

http://www.sickusa.com/gus/products/product_catalogs/industrial_sensors/distancesensors/en.html

Triangulation with a theodolite is possible, but tricky, since your distance accuracy is near the typical angular acuracy at 10 m distance.

Have you thought about using a steel tape?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[flamby]

I think you can use steel tape as IR proposes. Measure several times and cut at average point. Statistically, you should be close to your tolerance if number of observations is large enough.

Ciao.