Free shape gauge by laser pointer

A gauge, the gauge comprising:

• a face plate having a gauge center and an indication area disposed about the gauge center, the indication area having a shape defined by a bottom boundary, a top boundary, and first and second ends joining respective ends of the top and bottom boundaries, the bottom boundary being spaced apart from the gauge center by a first radial distance, the top boundary being spaced apart from the gauge center by a second radial distance greater than the first radial distance and thereby defining a width of the indication area, the indication area being angled rearward relative to a front side of the face plate such that the top boundary of the indication area is spaced rearward a distance from the front side of the face plate and the bottom boundary is contiguous with the front side of the face plate;
• a plurality of indicia disposed on one of the front side of the face plate and the indication area;
• a stationary laser diode positioned behind a rear side of the face plate and pointing away from the rear side of the face plate, the laser diode arranged to project a beam perpendicular to the face plate;
• a sensor arranged to monitor a parameter and output a signal indicative of a value of the parameter;
• and
• a drive system disposed behind the rear side of the face plate, the drive system including a reflector rotatably attached to a stepper motor, the reflector arranged to receive the projected beam from the laser diode and reflect the beam to the angled indication area, the motor arranged to rotate the reflector so as to reflect the beam to a position on the indication area adjacent to a specific one of the plurality of indicia based on the signal output from the sensor.

A gauge, the gauge comprising:

• a face plate having a gauge center and an indication area disposed about the gauge center, the indication area having a shape defined by a bottom boundary, a top boundary, and first and second ends joining respective ends of the top and bottom boundaries, the bottom boundary being spaced apart from the gauge center by a first radial distance, the top boundary being spaced apart from the gauge center by a second radial distance greater than the first radial distance and thereby defining a width of the indication area, the width of the indication area between the top and bottom boundaries being planar in cross-sectional shape, the indication area being angled rearward relative to a front side of the face plate such that the top boundary of the indication area is spaced rearward a distance from the front side of the face plate and the bottom boundary is contiguous with the front side of the face plate;
• a plurality of indicia disposed on one of the front side of the face plate and the indication area;
• a stationary laser diode positioned behind a rear side of the face plate and pointing away from the rear side of the face plate, the laser diode arranged to project a beam perpendicular to the face plate;
• a sensor arranged to monitor a parameter and output a signal indicative of a value of the parameter;
• and
• a drive system disposed behind the rear side of the face plate, the drive system including a reflector rotatably attached to a stepper motor, the reflector arranged to receive the projected beam from the laser diode and reflect the beam to the angled indication area, the reflector having a reflection surface substantially parallel to a rear side of the angled indication area facing the reflection surface, the motor arranged to rotate the reflector so as to reflect the beam to a position on the indication area adjacent to a specific one of the plurality of indicia based on the signal output from the sensor.