Here's a distance sensor intended for cell phone face proximity. Uses
time-of-flight of a laser:

http://www.st.com/web/catalog/mmc/FM132/CL2136/SC1934/PF260441

In the past I might have recommended one of the Sharp rangefinding
modules, but the ST thing makes them seen crude:

http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?v=3D425&v=3D1149&FV=3Dfff4001e%2Cf=
ff803b2&k=3Ddistance&mnonly=3D0&newproducts=3D0&ColumnSort=3D0&page=3D1&qua=
ntity=3D0&ptm=3D0&fid=3D0&pageSize=3D25

Bob

On Mon, Aug 31, 2015, at 08:39 PM, Neil wrote:
> Anyone know of a non-contact distance sensor that can measure up to say=20
> 1 inch?  I built a machine for maker faire (in less than 2 weeks) that=20
> lets people draw on a touch screen an that will get printed with=20
> frosting on a cookie.  But if the cookie is not flat (rarely are they=20
> really flat), there are issue with the frosting not sticking properly in=
=20
> some corners or sharp curves.  I'm thinking if I can map the surface of=20
> the cookie quickly before printing each one, I can have the Z-axis track=
=20
> the cookie's "terrain".  This is a fun project so low-cost is important.
>=20
> Cheers,
> -Neil.
>

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