Although laser scanner systems' f-theta lenses are designed to have a linear relationship between beam angle and spot location, essentially all high precision applications require additional empirical calibration to minimize optical distortion across the full field of view. This repository contains scripts to generate test patterns, analyze high-resolution scans of the test patterns, and generate distortion compensation models for on-the-fly error correction of scanner trajectories.
Powerful lasers can, and will, cause instantaneous damage to skin, eyes, and other organic tissues. This document is not intended to instruct users on laser safety, and users must educate themselves on the risks and mitigations before operating any laser equipment.
At the moment, this repository only supports pewpew-laser, an unreleased scanner and laser control system running on the teensy 4.x microcontroller series.
The following supplies and equipment are required to complete the lens calibration process:
- A galvo-scanned laser system running a compatible control system, and suitable safety equipment for its operation.
- A dimensionally stable material capable of high-resolution, high-contrast marking. Low-cost black cardstock manufactured with a white core is a reasonable material for 1064nm laser calibration. Black anodized aluminum is an ideal material, but is significantly more expensive, particularly for larger sheets. Cyanotype paper may be suitable for UV and violet laser sources.
- A flatbed scanner capable of imaging the laser-marked test pattern with minimal distortion.