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[on:]

I have a project that needs to be able to measure a sensors movement across a surface.  Like an electronic tape measure, except I need resolution of .01 inch, or about .25mm. I believe a standard optical mouse has .001 resolution (1000 dpi?) but I'm looking for a discrete sensor to connect to an arduino.

A small wheel seems like a good start, and measuring the revolutions as it rolls over the surface, but I can't seem to get the resolution that I need.  Thoughts?

[Reply #1 on:]

Most (all?) of them have an electronic interface that people written Arduino code for.

I'd go with many - I have seen a number without.

[Reply #2 on:]

Search for a LVDT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_variable_differential_transformer
http://www.metrolog.net/transdutores/lvdt.php?lang=en
Second hand for about $100 on Ebay. These are often removed from machinery and recycled.

[Reply #3 on:]

These are some great suggestions, thanks to everyone. 

I'm trying to measure the distance i'm running a sensor over.  like the digital tape measure here:

http://www.amazon.com/STRAIT-LINE-6041400CD-Rolling-Tape-300/dp/B0002VM7OO

(Except with higher resolution.) 

I like the LVDT idea, and will look at how it could be adapted to rolling over a surface.  But since I need to be in contact with the surface I'm traveling over, it seemed like something wheel based would be better. 

Another thought I had was using something optical, but I can't be sure of the reflective properties of the surface.

I should have included this on my first post, my apologies.  Any thoughts??

[Reply #4 on:]

But since I need to be in contact with the surface I'm traveling over, it seemed like something wheel based would be better. 

You probably need an optical shaft encoder:-
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/results.jsp?N=0&Ntk=gensearch&Ntt=optical+shaft+encoder&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&suggestions=false&ref=globalsearch&_requestid=244&isGoback=false&displaytext=&isRedirect=false