Raspberry Pi-based SmartZoom Imaging

I got a LiFePo4wered Pi power source from Patrick some time ago.

This is a great little power unit. A 18650 joins up with the GPIO pins and hangs off the side of the Pi. For my application, I will need the LiFePo above a Pi Zero. A few minor alterations should put things where I need them.

I modified the design of the case to accomodate #6 screws and nuts for the adjustment of laser aim. It also looks cooler.

Using this guide I should be able to find one brightest spot. Extrapolating this code to include the second brightest or equally bright spot shouldn't be too hard.... :P

Laser precision does not have to be perfect. As long as the beams are shooting in the same direction and do not intersect, and they remain equally distant from each other, it should be fine.

Alignment will be adjusted by external thumbscrews. I haven't worked these into the housing yet but will come soon.

Calibration will be done measuring the distance between dots at set intervals, or by using a template and recording the distance from the finder when the dots match up with the template of concentric triangles. The key is that the dots are roughly equidistant to each other.

I printed out my preliminary design for the front part of the rangefinder housing and fitted some of the electronics. There were issues.

That is a Pi Noir camera board and three super cheap 5V red dot laser diodes

They looked okay, but when the lasers came on, it was a different story. I designed it so that the diodes fit tightly. I figured, 'If the receptacle in the 3D model is straight, the lasers should shoot straight, right?' Nope. They were all over the place, probably due to manufacturing (in)tolerances. So I need to redesign with a way for the lasers to be aimed.

Here is a rough idea of how the rest of the housing works...

This housing can be mounted on a pan/tilt mount powered by the battery contained within, making the whole unit stand-alone.