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Help please: Laser distance meter

A

Alex Markatis

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi everybody!

I have been planning to make a laser distance measurement device for
using at work (I am a civil engineer). Could anyone inform me where I
can find a laser device for that purpose on the Internet? I don't need
a display or a box, just the laser. I would also like the laser to
have a serial port for communication. I am interested in distances up
to 50m aprox.

I 've been doing some googling, but all I can find is complete devices
ready for use, which don't quite fit to my needs.

Thank you very much in advance!


Alex Markatis
Civil Engineer
National Technical University of Athens
GREECE - HELLAS
 
D

Don Pearce

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi everybody!

I have been planning to make a laser distance measurement device for
using at work (I am a civil engineer). Could anyone inform me where I
can find a laser device for that purpose on the Internet? I don't need
a display or a box, just the laser. I would also like the laser to
have a serial port for communication. I am interested in distances up
to 50m aprox.

I 've been doing some googling, but all I can find is complete devices
ready for use, which don't quite fit to my needs.

Thank you very much in advance!
Google for laser diode and you will find plenty of bare components.

d
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com
 
A

Anders F

Jan 1, 1970
0
Alex Markatis said:
Hi everybody!

I have been planning to make a laser distance measurement device for
using at work (I am a civil engineer).

Hmm - sounds like a very difficult project! I don't know how they actually
work - but I'd guess they're measuring phase differences on the reflection?
Takes very precise reference clock and high-speed electronics. Speed of
light is rater fast - why all the cheap distance meters use ultra sound...
Could anyone inform me where I
can find a laser device for that purpose on the Internet? I don't need
a display or a box, just the laser.

....so my guess is you'll actually want an expensive finished unit? Not just
a laser!

/A
 
P

Paul Burke

Jan 1, 1970
0
Alex Markatis wrote:

I have been planning to make a laser distance measurement device for
using at work (I am a civil engineer). Could anyone inform me where I
can find a laser device for that purpose on the Internet? I don't need
a display or a box, just the laser. I would also like the laser to
have a serial port for communication. I am interested in distances up
to 50m aprox.

If it has RS232 comms, it IS a "box", as a laser is just a light
effectively. It's like asking for a 60W bulb with Ethernet.

One principle I know of is to modulate the laser beam and measure the
phase difference with the reflection. A cube- corner prism is used to
ensure the beam goes back to the device, and not somewhere else. Since
the phase difference repeats, phase is measured at a number of
modulating frequencies.

I like the way the modern total stations automatically follow the guy
with the pole about- how do they do that one? He's not always pointing
the prism in the right direction IIRC.

If this discourages you, look up Leica Disto.

Paul Burke
 
M

Markus Mandl

Jan 1, 1970
0
Alex said:
Hi everybody!

I have been planning to make a laser distance measurement device for
using at work (I am a civil engineer). Could anyone inform me where I
can find a laser device for that purpose on the Internet? I don't need
a display or a box, just the laser. I would also like the laser to
have a serial port for communication. I am interested in distances up
to 50m aprox.

I 've been doing some googling, but all I can find is complete devices
ready for use, which don't quite fit to my needs.

Thank you very much in advance!


Alex Markatis
Civil Engineer
National Technical University of Athens
GREECE - HELLAS

Laser + RS232 + 50m = Leica Disto

Regards
Markus
 
A

Anders F

Jan 1, 1970
0
Markus Mandl said:
Laser + RS232 + 50m = Leica Disto

Could the curious ones of us maybe have a price indication?

Cheers,
Anders
 
M

Markus Mandl

Jan 1, 1970
0
Anders said:
Could the curious ones of us maybe have a price indication?

Cheers,
Anders

If think they were about 500 to 1500 USD - depending on the model.
You could also check eBay for used ones.

Regards
Markus
 
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