Laser apparatus for effectively projecting the axis of rotation of a rotating tool holder

A laser apparatus for effectively projecting the axis of rotation of a rotating tool or work piece holder onto an object spaced therefrom, said apparatus comprising;

• a housing having first and second opposed ends;
• a generally elongated mounting stud fixedly connected to and extending from the first end of said housing, said mounting stud being of a size and shape to be held by the rotating tool or work piece holder such that the longitudinal axis of the mounting stud is approximately aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotating tool or work piece holder;
• a lasing element mounted in said housing and disposed to project a laser beam out of the second end of said of housing and substantially collinear with the longitudinal axis of the mounting stud;
• and
• a target disposed on said object, said target including photocell means responsive to the laser beam to produce electrical output signals capable of identifying locations of the points at which the target is impinged by the laser beam projected by the lasing element whereby when the mounting stud is held by the rotating tool or work piece holder, the laser beam projected by the lasing element will trace an annulus on the target disposed on the object, with the center of the annulus defining a point on a projection of the axis of rotation of the rotating tool or work piece holder.