Tool design

[huynv18022004]

Hello, I'm very impressed with the tracker tool you made. I'm also doing a project to track surgical tool for neural surgery, right now for the IR emitting spheres I'm using the IR led. Could you please show me what tool and material are you using for the spheres please? Thank you for your time, the tool you built certainly helped me out a lot since I was using purely RGB tracking on my D455 camera which gave very low accuracy.

[stytim]

Hi, the spheres are passive retroreflective marker spheres, they are not active (they don't emit IR, but only reflect). There are many different manufacturers that produce these, for example NDI. The marker array that holds these spheres is 3D printed, but you can also buy those online as well.

[huynv18022004]

thank you for replying, I'll look into them. Also could you tell me which kind of light diffuser are you using? I tried parchment cooking paper and it's not working

[stytim]

The one I used is a piece of matte transparent plastic sheet

[huynv18022004]

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/45c3baf7-ce93-4d1b-aab1-53f1dd2e653b
Hi, I'm a little confused here, does this screen with 4 dots mean the tracker has detected my tool yet?
edit: nevermind, I figured out how to set parameters and it tracked my tools but still a bit unstable because I used IR LEDs, maybe I'll try rounder and more spherical-ish LEDs

[huynv18022004]

also do you still have the file to 3d print this marker array? thank you!

[huynv18022004]

Hi stytim, I just got myself some NDI spheres, If you don't mind I hope you could share the 3d file for the marker array please so I could 3d print it. Thank you for your time!

[Biokareem]

Did he sent you the 3D file?
Iam also waiting for the 3D file for similar project, Thanks in advance!

[huynv18022004]

No, unfortunately I think he's busy with another project

[Biokareem]

I think this repo would be useful for you https://pluslib.readthedocs.io/projects/PlusModelCatalog/en/latest/catalog/tools.html

[huynv18022004]

Oh wow, much appreciated! This will save me a lot of time looking. Since you're also doing a similar project, do you happen to have the specs or a source for those snap-on mounting pins? I’m trying to avoid a bunch of trial and error with the 11.8mm spheres, so any info you’ve got would be a total lifesaver. Thanks again! This is the link to the spheres page from ndi https://www.ndigital.com/optical-navigation-technology/passive-marker-spheres/ndi-passive-sphere/

[Biokareem]

You can find something similar to the pins here
https://optitrack.com/accessories/marker-configurator
they are using snap on, mounting pins and adhesives and other accessories for the markers but not sure if it is the same size as the 11.8mm
for the snap on marker you can find it 11.5mm

I haven't 3D printed yet as I haven't yet ordered the spheres so i haven't yet trialed , I have contacted NDI for the price quotation for purchase and shipment and other manufacturers in china and waiting for them to reply so i can start trialing, anything you come up with and share would be much appreciated!

[huynv18022004]

Thank you for the link! I tried to contact NDI to order the spheres but they said they stopped providing them for now. I got my spheres through ebay but it is sold out currently, I think they were used. https://www.ebay.com/p/15086072381