An Adventure in Laser Hardware
So last year I worked really hard on LaserLine, with the gracious help of MacWarriors . It turned out pretty well, but there is still much to do. The largest problems were: first, the lack of quality hardware, and second, the lack of documentation for building said hardware. Thus far, the output hardware has been the classic speaker-scanner design, driven by a high-power op-amp.The two speaker design, while functional, was not really capable of reproducing the output we could generate with LaserLine.
Furthermore, I’d really like to even more advanced vector based output using a hardware device like the bILDA interface from linux-laser.org.
I am walking in the footsteps of ChaN with his ELM projector, and Norm with his. I hope to combine their successes with my own philosophy to create a high-performance easy-to-use laser projection system.
So the most difficult part is, in the words of Mr. ChaN, “to build the laser projector with professional grade :-).” Hopefully I will succeeded with this goal, for I have the utmost respect for both of these Laserists and there amazing work before me. I would not be able to undertake this project without their work.
I have CAD drawings ready for the Galvos themselves, and all the parts on the way including 28awg wire, .01″ thick Copper clad board, and the appropriate cylindrical magnets. I have built a working wooden prototype, but there are a few items, such as the coils, which are completely different from the final version. There is also no Position Detector in the prototype.
I have created a new category for posts related to this construction as I anticipate development will require much posting. I will also be creating a project page soon.
Design Specs include:
- Galvo design based off of ELM design, but out of machined aluminum for better heat dissipation and precision (I don’t trust I could cut circuit-boards so finely myself!)
- Amp based off of ELM design with additional Signal LEDs and Thermal protection circuit for coils on manufactured PCBs
- Capacitive Position Detector, driven by Norm’s Crystal-based circuit
- ILDA compatible input board for computer-teathered operation
- chemical-etched Position Detector pieces for finest control on dimensions of copper plates
I would love to hear anyones comments or suggestions. Thanks!
Hi Joey :
It´s good to see other “MacPeople” interested in laser projecction. Years ago I made a ILDA player in RealBasic, of course, I´ll be waiting for your software. It´s my illusion to proyect from my IBook…
I think bIlda2 hard is a good choice (no schemes from now)
Better use optical PD, sure you are reading Norm´s Forum…
I would like to help you, but don´t know C.
Bye…
Comment by Luis — July 20, 2006 @ 6:25 am
Luis,
Thanks for your comments! Many of the people who are going to be working on the software are going to WWDC next week, (myself included) where I am hoping we can do some more design work on the software. It is my intention to make it very high quality. I am confident that one day you will have great software to use on your iBook to project laser shows. If you have any suggestions or requests, please let me know and I will try to get them in to the project.
I am currently very interested in an Optical PD, but hope to try the capacitive sensor first, because Chan had such good luck with it and hopefully it will be easier to build.
There will certainly be many revisions of the projector, as I am finding as I build it.
-Joey
Comment by Joey — August 4, 2006 @ 12:21 pm
You have done great work ! Very nice pictures and lots of information.
I found your website after quite a long time of searching more works derrived from elm-chan and Norm’s projects.
As a controller board seems to be quite nice a Bilda project,but about using myself amplifier board from Elm-Chan I have some doubts,because japanese components impossible to find. (in France).
Are you aware about any other alternative DIY servo amplifier ?
Best wishes in your followings
Comment by Ernestas — December 1, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
Hi !
Can you help me ? I have a lot of sources where I can get those Cylinder Magnets. But I can’t find those with the holes. Should I drill the Holes in the Magnets or where can I buy them ? And another question is: How are the Demansion (size) of the magnet. Thank you :)
Comment by Jonas — January 22, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
Jonas, I highly recommend http://www.engconcepts.net for magnets. It is nearly impossible to drill them out properly (additionally the drilling process generally ruins the strength of the magnet). I used their CYL0285 magnets; this is important because it is magnetized across the diameter instead of radially or from one end to the other.
-Joey
Comment by Joey — January 22, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
I greet! Small problem beguile with my galvo’s. Both affect on it galvo’s
as I have used magnets neodim. That belongs to make in in order to dispose it
, will delete it or if closed loop? I salute robert.
Comment by Robert Jaszczyk — May 27, 2008 @ 6:36 am