DIY 3d digitizing using cable & angle encoders?

[LN-JET]

Hello,
From time to time there are questions about making Faro arm type equipment, which obviously is not easy to do.
I came across these products:
spaceagecontrol.com : Main > Space Sensor: 3D Sensing with Ease and Affordability
http://www.prodim.eu/proliner%C2-principle_674.html
They are restricted to line of sight measuring, but making a similar system should be feasible?
One would need one draw type encoder, and two rotary encoders.
The software must be able to export to a spreadsheet or convert spherical to cartesian coordinates that can be exported to cad. Can Mach3 or DRO SOFTWARE do this?
The mechanical bits must be some sort of low friction gimbal mount.
Please throw in your ideas!

Lars

[ger21]

There's a thread with a lot of ideas on building a digitizing arm.

Digitizing arm options