Wireless object alignment 2

[tobee11]

Hello,

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for my question, but thought I'd give it a shot nonetheless.

Im wondering if there is an existing technology to accomplish the following:
I need to arrange (2) points (for example, the centers of 2 quarters) such that an imaginary straight line connecting the (2) points is parallel to a 6" length straight rod of some kind. The (2) points would never be more than 5' from the rod in 3-dimensions (i.e. the rod will be situated at a higher altitude than the objects). Ideally, the (2) points would be moved around until the line between them is parallel to the rod, at which point a light, or some other kind of indicator, would flash to indicate proper alignment. I would need this to work wirelessly.

Any help/insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[GregLocock]

To what sort of accuracy? What sort of budget? did you mean a 6 inch rod, 5 feet from the quarters? how far apart are the quarters?

The answer is yes, it is possible, fairly accurately, if you spend a lot of money ($100k), and it may be possible to do it sufficiently accurately for less.

note that as described you only need to move one of the quarters.





Cheers

Greg Locock

I rarely exceed 1.79 x 10^12 furlongs per fortnight

 

[tobee11]

Hi Greg,

Thanks so much for responding to my post.

So, I am looking for an accuracy of better than half an inch. The distance between the quarters will vary somewhat, but always within the range of more than 1.5ft and less than 3ft.

The 6 inch rod allusion was really just to give an indication that I want to align the quarters to a straight line which is positioned by the operator-person. If a longer, or shorter rod makes things easier, than that is fine. Neither quarter will be more than 5ft from the rod.

You are correct...once the first quarter is positioned where it needs to be, only the second quarter needs to be moved in order to attain parallel alignment with the rod.

Hope this information is helpful. Any additional help/suggestions you can offer are greatly appreciated.

 

[zappedagain]

How about a Theodolite?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodolite

We used these in the past to position machine vision equipment with better than 0.1mm precision.

John D

 

[tobee11]

Hi zappedagain,

Thanks for the post. I think I should add one more qualification to my project....The operator will need to know if he has achieved parallel alignment with the rod while he is moving the 2nd quarter around (i.e. by some sort of nofication - light, buzzer, etc.) He will not be able to walk over and check measurements, etc.

So, imagine you set a ruler on a table and wished to align 2 quarters on the floor so that the line connecting them is parallel to the ruler. You would set one quarter on the ground and then start positioning the 2nd quarter in a location that seemed close to the desired alignment. As you move the 2nd quarter around, you would be listening or looking for the "indicator" (light or sound) which would indicate parallel alignment. In my application, you wouldnt be able to set the 2nd quarter down, get up and check measurements and then set it in the calculated position.

I understand that I am presenting difficult constraints and that it may not be possible. But it would be really, really great if there is a technology that can do this

I appreciate any more help or suggestions you can offer.

Tobee11

 

[GregLocock]

0.5 inches at 5 feet is 1/2 degree, I think a couple of cameras would be a cheap solution.

Cheers

Greg Locock

I rarely exceed 1.79 x 10^12 furlongs per fortnight

 

[sreid]

A vision system would work for you. They are much less expensive these days. Look at a Cognex Checker.

http://www.cognex.com/ProductsServices/InspectionSensors/default.aspx?id=188&langtype=1033&locale=us