Laser tracking

[dwaindc]

First of all I know very little about lasers.

I am interested in finding out if there is any way one could copy the pattern a laser pointer would make if it was pointed at a wall and moved about, imagine an etch-a-sketch. Can the actual movement of the beam be copied? (An example would be to use photo paper in a dark room and move the laser about, exposing the film). I am looking for something inexpensive and easy to use.

Thanks for your help, Dwain

 

[pseudonomen137]

This vid may be along the lines of what you're thinking of: http://graffitiresearchlab.com/?page_id=76


Instead of film, what a lot of us do is take a picture with a very long exposure. That gives us time to move the laser around and write words, draw designs, etc (anyone got an example picture? ). Its fundamentally similar to your film idea, but makes the whole process a bit easier.

 

[rog8811]

Hi Dwaindc, have a look at the movie on this link,
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/763506/laser_projector_you_can_take_anywhere/

then go to the following thread, it may help you out with some ideas.

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186862602/15#15

Regards rog8811

 

[dwaindc]

I appreciate the input. Bottom line is that I want a permanent record of where the laser hit and how it moved. This is for a research project where I want to track the movement of the head (laser attached to a helmet) and keep a record of that movement. Distance traveled would only be about three feet and the target would only be the size of a dinner plate

 

[rog8811]

Ok, I have a better idea of what you mean now......


Just a thought how about using thermal fax paper to record on to????

Regards rog8811

 

[pseudonomen137]

I appreciate the input.  Bottom line is that I want a permanent record of where the laser hit and how it moved.  This is for a research project where I want to track the movement of the head (laser attached to a helmet) and keep a record of that movement.  Distance traveled would only be about three feet and the target would only be the size of a dinner plate

Yep, sounds to me like the ideal solution would be a digital camera pointed at your target with a long exposure. You could get a cheapo webcam and do it in software I bet, but it wouldn't be worth the effort when a ready-to-go solution is already there.