Here's an interesting article that might help you.
http://www.photocritic.org/2005/macro-photography-on-a-budget/It's not that hard to change the focal length of a webcam, but you'll
need to increase the amount of light, either with a macro lens, or by
using better illumination, or, if the cam allows for it, by using a
longer exposure.
--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "James Newton"
<jamesmichaelnewton@y...> wrote:
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Alan King <alan@n...> wrote:
> > But, I do have plans to focus one of my webcams in very close,
> put it
> > right next to the bit, and move up and down. 640 pixels from
1/4"
> away
> > and move the bit up and down should detect if there is any off
> angle a
> > little better than using a normal visual method, should get it
> very
> > close to perfect on one pass.
>
>
> If you find a web cam that can do that or figure out how to adapt
> one, please let me know. I can't get any of the 4 I own to focust
> closer than about a foot and a half away. I've looked for close up
> lenses, but all I can find are for the higher end cameras.
>
> Having the ability to do close up with a web cam is the first step
> in machine vision automation on the hobby level. The software is
> becomming available, the only real cost at this point is the high
> end cameras you have to buy.
>