CentreCam - method of centering, edge finding and micro measurements with low cost WebCam

[Thurston Howell]

Hello all,

A friend of mine recently 'discovered' this site - http://www.miketreth.mistral.co.uk/centrecam.htm and suggested it might be worth looking into.

Needless to say, the concept sounds great and after checking on Amazon I found Logitech QuickCam Express as well as another one with 6 LEDs already built in for less than $8; the one with the LEDs is <$5! I ordered one of each (I'm a 'belt and braces' kind of person) and the one with LEDs arrived yesterday.

Being a person with infinite patience I immediately hooked it up to a spare laptop and loaded the CentreCam program. To say I was blown away would be an understatement! This will allow hyper-accurate alignment/centering/measuring on the mill at almost nothing in cost.

I expect to be making the new housing later today, (at least that's the 'plan') and will report back with any results, but in the meantime it's worth a look.

BTW - I'm not sure that website is being maintained as it doesn't appear that it was updated since 2006 and my emails to the programmer have gone unanswered (and those were asking how I could pay the registration fee!) The program can be used without registration and the only difference is there is a script through the middle stating 'unregistered product' so really not a big deal.

 

[Old Iron]

Mike thanks for the link and the prices of the cams on Amazon made them easy to find. I used doPDFv6 to print it all out in PDF files. That way I have it close at hand great program to have.

Keep us updated on your housing build This should be a interesting build and a great project plus the added benefits.

Thanks
Paul

 

[Thurston Howell]

Hello Paul,

You're more than welcome! I also believe it's a great little program and for the cost - almost impossible to beat! Hoping to start working on the conversion later today, but likely won't get to it (always seems to be 'other things' that take precedence, dang it! )

If I remember I'll take some photos of the build in case they might be of use to anyone.

 

[8ntsane]

Mike

Thanks for the link
Keep us updated the this!

 

[Thurston Howell]

Hello All,

Just wanted to post an update on my adventure with the WebCam and CentreCam software:

As I said previously, ordered the Logitech QuickCam Express as well as another, later Logitech that came with 6 LEDs' mounted on the nose. The one with the 6 LEDs also has a dimmer built into the line, making light control a no-brainer. The Logitech with the 6 LEDs is available from Amazon for $5 each.

Here's an image of the camera partially disassembled:


You might be able to see a little 'pot' mike - that disappeared easily with a snip of the side-cutters as well as the micro switch used to take single shots.


Next was to manufacture a holder that would keep the CCD in the center of the board in tight alignment with the axis of the spindle as well as provide electrical insulation to keep from shorting out the pc board - Delrin! Some quick measurements to insure a very snug fit of the board while still providing clearance for the LEDs and the focusing dial and some assiduous lathe work later:


Nothing left but make the back of the case and mount it on 0.500" tool steel spindle for mounting with a 0.500" ER collet:


Time to give it a try -


It works pretty slick - tomorrow I'll get around to calibrating and making sure it retains concentricity with the spindle axis, but even at this early date there's no question it's a useful tool.

 

[Old Iron]

Mike i had a Logitech web cam on my office computer, So I figured what the heck and loaded up the software it works great.

Thanks for the update on mounting it nice job on the holder. Guess I need to get some delrin.


Paul