CALCULATORS / OPTICS, IMAGING AND ILLUMINATION

Laser/camera triangulation geometry calculator

Single baseline triangulation angle geometry; no lens calibration.

optics-triangulation.napkin / editable

SCENARIO COMPARISON

Compare the numbers.

This source describes an analytical model. Its quantities and checks are the view.

Scenario	rangemm
	274.748
	219.798

All calculated quantities are listed with the inputs. Switch to Source to inspect the equations.

SCENARIOS / CALCULATED VALUESSAME SOURCE

Change an input to see the consequences.

range budget274.75 mm✓ passes

BASELINE INPUTS

baseline100 mmangle20 deg

CALCULATED

range274.75 mm

Edits change the baseline source.

THE SOURCE

Edits below update the same model.

# Laser/camera triangulation geometry
# Scope: Single baseline triangulation angle geometry; no lens calibration.
# Status: illustrative worked example; engineering review pending.
# Inputs are example values. Checks are editable example requirements, not standards.

baseline = 100 mm
angle = 20 deg

range := baseline/tan(angle) [mm]

check range budget: range <= 500 mm

scenario alternative: baseline = 80 mm

Calculated from your source · not saved

Baseline · Baseline

range budget274.75 mm ✓ passes

alternative · alternative

range budget219.80 mm ✓ passes

Illustrative first-order example. Checks are editable requirements, not design standards. The broader topic may require additional equations, data, and validation.

Formula and units

This example uses the following equations. Input names and units match the editable source above.

range: range = baseline/tan(angle) [mm]

Original worked example

These are the baseline values in the downloadable source. Edits above let you test your own values.

Given

baseline: 100 mm
angle: 20 deg

Calculated

range: 274.748 mm

Assumptions and limits

Single baseline triangulation angle geometry; no lens calibration.

The requirement checks use the limits written in this example. Passing a check does not establish that the model covers every load, material behavior, or operating condition in a real design.

Download this .napkin example ↓

Take it further with your agent

Napkin keeps the inputs, equations, checks and assumptions together in one study. Your agent sets it up; you change the numbers.

Try with Claude ↗

codex 'Use Napkin (https://napkin.engineering/mcp, or the local Napkin plugin) to build a study: Laser/camera triangulation geometry. Inputs: baseline; beam and camera geometry; feature error. Outputs: range; sensitivity; blind regions. Model scope: Paraxial geometry or calibrated radiometric/photometric models. Read napkin_capabilities and the current snapshot. Ask me for the values that matter, label assumptions with units, author .napkin source, validate it and apply it with napkin_source using the current revision, then open the study. Add checks for the limits I supply. Keep unsupported analyses explicit.'

Claude needs the Napkin connector; Codex needs the Napkin plugin. Set up your agent ↗

The broader study

The topic brief below describes the broader scope. The worked example above states the particular calculation it implements.

Inputs: baseline, beam and camera geometry, feature error
Outputs: range, sensitivity, blind regions
Modes: calculate, compare, sweep
Drawing: Ray diagram and camera view

EXECUTABLE WORKED EXAMPLE · FIRST-ORDER MODEL · CHECK THE SCOPE & ASSUMPTIONS