Hi I am looking for imformation or schematics for a MAGIC EYE PLASMA
PROFILE CUTTER ,this is the type where you put a drawing down & the eye
traces the black line of the drawing . I would like to build a small
one for hobby use ,I have a plasma cutter already ,just need to work
out the sensors & drive .
Any help would be great ,thanks Allan.

Al wrote:

Hi I am looking for imformation or schematics for a MAGIC EYE PLASMA
PROFILE CUTTER

The basic prinziple is quite easy:
You have a photo cell that is divided into 4 quadrants. Every quadrant
delivers a voltage, depending on the amount of light he gets. If you put
the cell over the line to trace you get 4 different voltages. If you
move the sensor a bit off the line, voltage will drop in one sensor
quadrant and rise in the opposed quadrant. This voltage difference
reflects the offset of the sensor and is used to realign it.

You can find similar (but simpler) electronic in trackers for solar
cells that automaticaly readjust the cells to the sun.


I would ask in a electronics group.

HTH,
Nick
--
Motormodelle / Engine Models:
http://www.motor-manufaktur.de
Ellwe 2FB * VTM 87 * DLM-S3a * cubic
more to come ...

On 28 Aug 2005 01:51:55 -0700, "Al" wrote:

Hi I am looking for imformation or schematics for a MAGIC EYE PLASMA
PROFILE CUTTER ,this is the type where you put a drawing down & the eye
traces the black line of the drawing . I would like to build a small
one for hobby use ,I have a plasma cutter already ,just need to work
out the sensors & drive .
Any help would be great ,thanks Allan.

You may want to check out some of the hobbiest robotics info that is
all over the web. Those guys make lots of "line following" robots both
for fun and for various competitions. Same principle. Lots of info on
these sorts of things around. Google "line following robot" or "line
follower robot" etc. and you will fine plenty to get you started.

Hope that helps a bit.

-AL A.