Best way to measure Linear position on a water cooled abrasive cutoff machine

[Esmith413]

In order to have better machine control I need to measure the distance between an abrasive cutoff wheel and a unknown material.  The machine is water cooled so water is spraying everywhere, along with debris from the cut.  Just wondering if anybody has any ideas.  Thanks

[ryanm]

It looks like this post occurred twice.  Since everyone is replying to the thread at: http://forums.ni.com/ni/board/message?board.id=240&message.id=2893, please use this thread.

Thanks,

Ryan M.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments