Simple Low-Cost System for Thickness Measurement of Metallic Plates Using Laser Mouse Navigation Sensor

A simple low-cost sensor system for thickness measurement of metallic plates by means of a high-resolution laser mouse navigation sensor and a lightweight displacement probe is presented in this paper. An experimental prototype was developed, which involves release of the probe freely on the plain surface of metallic plates under test. A signal is generated from the laser mouse during the release of the probe. The first minima of the signals are related to the thickness of the metallic plates.