Laser XY finder

I have been looking for a cheap, quick and dirty way to get my XY set and also to check see if I have lost the setting while working with different pieces. This was made up from two laser pointers that I got off of E Bay. As you can see I have taken them apart and wired in switches and batteries to make them easier to handle.

Really easy to use. Since the X carriage always moves in the same plane once I bolted the unit to the side railsand trued it all I have to do is put the beam where I want the axis to be and do an x zero. With the Y axis I focus the beam on a target that I made up and then, without moving the holder, move the carriage so that the beam is on the target.

It appears that I can reliably get within .025.

Here is a link to the photos http://www.cars4tom.com/cars4tom.com/Laser.html

I have been working on an idea for an X,Y finder myself although looking at those pictures i don't understand how it works.

I have been thinking about a centerfinder but what i haven't been able to find is some type of eye (photoelectric or ??) that would be able to recognize a laser line.

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Originally Posted by myxpykalix

I have been working on an idea for an X,Y finder myself although looking at those pictures i don't understand how it works.

I have been thinking about a centerfinder but what i haven't been able to find is some type of eye (photoelectric or ??) that would be able to recognize a laser line.

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won't work during a earthquake...:eek:

I have been working on an idea for an X,Y finder myself although looking at those pictures i don't understand how it work

To zero the X axis put the target on the table where you want the origin to be. Swing the laser dot down and adjust the table using the keyboard so that the beam is right on the target. Zero the x Axis.

For the Y axis adjust the unit on the end of the table/carriage so that the beam is right on the target. Remove the target and, using the keyboard, adjust so that the beam is right on the target that is on the router/spindle. Now zero the Y axis.

To check while you are working do a JH (jog home) and turn on the lasers. You will see right away if you have lost position.

Here's one with laser cross hairs. Somewhere on CNCzone he describes the macro that makes it work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc-9gTFj-y4

I used them when running my Bridgeport, they will get your error down to .0002.


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