This thread: http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?178,462309 over at the reprap forums discusses an infra red proximity detector design = for Z probing the build plate on a 3d printer... a very similar problem :) Kind Regards, Robin Bussell, -----Original Message----- From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf Of= Bob Blick Sent: 01 September 2015 05:45 To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Subject: Re: [EE] Very-small distance sensor? 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=20 > say > 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=20 > in some corners or sharp curves. I'm thinking if I can map the=20 > surface of the cookie quickly before printing each one, I can have the=20 > Z-axis track the cookie's "terrain". This is a fun project so low-cost i= s important. >=20 > Cheers, > -Neil. > -- http://www.fastmail.com - The professional email service -- http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/chang= e your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclis= t --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .