SPIE: Moiré pointer for measurement instruments

Emin Gabrielyan

Switzernet Sàrl, Scientific Park of Swiss Federal

Institute of Technology, Lausanne (EPFL)

emin.gabrielyan@switzernet.com

Submission to SPIE

Version of SPIE [doc], [pdf]

Submission version [doc], [pdf], [htm]

Version with links to all image-formats [doc], [pdf], [htm]

Abstract

In measurement instruments where measured values are indicated with a mechanical pointer and a graduated scale, the observation precision is increased often by adding an auxiliary mechanical pointer (needle) with a sub graduated scale. The auxiliary pointer moves in synchronization with the main pointer but at a higher speed thanks to instrumentation gearing mechanisms. Mechanical solutions are not always suitable due to lack of force or problems of inertia. We designed optical moiré patterns providing the functions of the fast auxiliary pointer without gearing mechanisms and without mechanical parts moving at high speed.

Keywords: moiré, instrumentation, metrology, multi-stripe moiré, multi-ring moiré, optical speedup, moiré pointer, moiré needle, moiré watches, optical clock-hands, moiré clock-hands, non-periodic moiré

Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

SPIE Optics + Photonics