How to make an accurate digital ruler

I would like to make a digital ruler for my table saw to display the distance between the rip fence and the blade. I'm having problems finding anything with enough precision. For instance, I was looking at the VL53LOX, but its precision is limited to +/- 3% - which isn't nearly precise enough. Are there any other modules for Arduino that could accomplish this? I've seen some digital tapes with accuracy of 1/32" using laser. Why are some laser more accurate than others? Does anyone know how digital calipers work? They are accurate to around 0.001". I would appreciate ideas anyone might have. Thanks!

Reading Grizzly iGaging DRO Scales with Arduino | Yuriy's Toys

Design and price. The price increases by roughly a factor of 10, for each 10-fold increase in measurement precision. USD 1000+ gets you a laser distance sensor capable of measuring fractional millimeters.

Of course that rule tends not to hold for items mass produced in countries with dirt-cheap sweat shop labor.

Buy a digital caliper off Amazon. Less than $20. Then modify it to go on your saw.

A good tape fastened to the saw is a lot less money and reliable.

I've been using the tape. But I've been learning Arduino and building little projects and thought it would be cool if I could make this. But not looking to spend a lot of money doing it. Just tinkering.

That's not a bad idea, if I could figure out how to do it. Thanks.

I had a full woodshop a few years back. The tape glued to the front rail and a magnifier with vernier is 100% accurate, never goes out of adjustment, it is rock solid and never needs batteries. If you want to play with electronics in a wood shop. use it to automate and/or control your dust collector.

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