LaserBoy
Community => And Now For Something Completely Different! => Topic started by: Alfa Romeo on February 21, 2009, 09:21:06 am
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First off, I like to say thanks to James for his outstanding creativity and motivation.
My name is Pat Allen, from Tacoma, Washington USA. I am going to share with you all, my progression in this field, from start to current day. I am new to this forum, but in no way new to the field.
The first time I bounced a light off a mirror to see the effects, was back in 1980. I used a spot light through a pinhole onto a mirror suspended from a 12" woofer, with rubber bands, modulated by audio. nice effect for what it was. little did i realize where that would lead. no picture, use your imagination!
Next time was much later, In 1993, after my brother (bass player), introduced me to the band, Mid Life Crisis, I became the Audio-Visual guy. I put together an x-y scanner using two 4" speakers. It was modulated by audio, using a red laser module. This was useful for projecting the bands audio into a x-y beam on a screen above the drummer. It was way cool and a big hit. This setup stayed with me until several years ago. No pictures available.
Within the last 2 -3 years:
Then the hard drive scanner with torsion rods, better than the speaker scanner, but still missing detailed control.
Then the galvo scanner, hand wound, machined neomag rotor, centering supplied by external magnet. No position feedback. This was the major problem with it. Nice results using x-y wav data through a modified sound card into a decoupled car stereo amp (to allow 1hz response). Still no graphics display, bummer. The lack of pos feedback and proper amp was realized. Too much time would be involved to create the requirements, thus the purchase of components to assemble what I envisioned I wanted:
usb sound card 8 channel
Compensation amp 8 channel
scanpro 20k scanners and amp
Red 100mw laser
Green 50mw laser
I am currently waiting for the 8 channel compensation amp to be released and the parts (above) to come. I’m really excited to see the results of descent hardware using Laserboy software!!
Later
Pat
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welcome.. you are SOOOOOOOO in the right place....
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I am blown away. ;D
That is some awsome stuff.
I hope you like to post!
You have a LOT to add to this forum!
I'm glad to see you have a camera and you know how to use it! ;)
I really enjoyed our phone conversation.
Just in this thread, I put you and Alfa Romeo together! ::)
James. :)
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Thats impressive stuff.
I started the same way building rubberband, spearker and light bulb projectors. It evolved into doing laser shows for a living, recently I jumped to government work building laser range finders for the military.
It's funny how many people there are out there that have the same creativity and passion. For years I thought I was alone. Not anymore.
Welcome Alpha Romeo.
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Ok, here is the update on the progress and parts I ordered
These are what have come in so far:
usb sound card 8 channel
Compensation amp 6 channel
scanpro 20k scanners,amp and DMX controller
Red 100mw laser
Green 50mw laser
still waiting on these to arrive:
blue 405nm 150mw laser
Norms triple laser diode driver board w/modulation
USB2DMX JMS USB Interface for 512 DMX Channel
Dichroic Mirror kit w/mounts for RGB dpss laser combining
soon i will need to order:
box for USB DAC
case or box or ? for scanner
mounting plate
key switch / kill switch /interlock stuff
scan fail board
power switches
misc indicator lights
Etc.
and finally I need to put all this in a case, any ideas??
still to do is:
figure out the current draw specs on the green and red laser.
no documents as they were shipped with a driver PCB. which i'll be swapping out for a triple driver board.
my red laser beam diameter is almost 5mm, would like to reduce that some.
the green is ok at 2mm dia.
FYI
the scanpro20 came with a dmx board. specs says it auto switches to ILDA mode, Wrong! only way to activate the ilda input is connect the
interlock A (pin4) and interlock B (pin17) together on ilda connector at the usb controller. i will use this as a remote shutdown switch on the usb interface.
sound card channel numbering was a little problem to figure out. its not sequential as i thought. also when you plug it in to the computer it is not in 8 channel mode!! even though that's where i left it set to. Must reset it every time to 8 channel. why?? work around??
compensation amp was a breeze to setup
have to wait for the rest of the rgb stuff to finish the laser end of all this.
here are some pics, comments welcome
later
Pat
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Forgive me if this is a dumb question that you have already answered, but....
What did you do to get the 6 channel correction amp kit to work right with the 8 channel USB DAC?
Did you switch out all the pots for 50K?
I think there are a few other people on this forum who would like to know what you did and how well you think it works!
James. :)
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the pots were 50k already, as shipped from drlava. the 8 channel sound card is only sending 6 channels to the comp amp. left the last 2 channels as audio outputs. notice the pcb wiring pic. call it future expansion!! hehe
Pat
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So, all 12 pots were 50K?
I think that is what drlava had suggested as a quick fix to make it work with the 8 channel USB DAC.
On the original correction amp, the trims for offset were only 10K and didn't have enough range to go down low enough to correct for a 1.2-ish DCV offset.
The DC offset on the other 6 channel USB sound board are more like 2.25V.
James. :)
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yes all pots were 50k. offset and gain adjustments went great.
i did not realize the 8 ch had required larger pots. guess i lucked out on that!!
pat
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Here Goes another land mark.
been a few since my last post (as usual)
the usb remote interface controller is pretty much done.
features include:
1. 8 ch sound card stripped and decoupled
2. compensation amp 6 channel
3. USB2DMX controller made by JMS
4. USB hub (powered) to eliminate the variance in the compensation amp between computers and to allow an additional
port for my DMX controller to connect to. all on one usb cable to the PC.
5. Spare USB Input port
6. Select ILDA or DMX Mode of operation.
7. Visual DMX Data LED
8. Visual ILDA Data LED
Need to finish, in various stages of completion:
9. Shutter Control from remote. linked to interlock
10. interlock trip and reset from remote
11. Laser Emission monitor LED
here are a few pics, stay tuned for more!
pat
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My RGV Scanner is on the last stage, waiting for the enclosure.
it has a few things to finish:
1. shutter to interlock
2. emission indicator
3. evaluation of the ilda test pattern
4. deal with those crusty lossy galvo mirrors. (idea- portable HD platters,silica, lighter, better reflection amount?)
5. beam diameters are kinda big on red, maybe violet also.
not much more.
Going to analog modulation from TTL, was like so Awesome!!! mass colors!!
used norms triple laser driver w/ analog modulation, was a good call.
I'll post some pics on separate postings to follow.
think scanpro20k mirrors replacement and scanner final tune with new mirrors!! comments?
later
pat
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20k test
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color wheel
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lossy galvo mirrors
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mocked up on board to get an idea of size for layout on top and bottom of the enclosure
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color mixing, red diameter is larger than green and blue is also bigger.
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hopefully the major work is out of the way. fine details and tuning.
gonna go and break up some platters. cannot get a good pair yet, still trying.
check with ya all later
pat allen
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You do such nice work.
That Aluminum box for the control electronics is super clean!
James. :)
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Thanks James.
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You have a beautiful, working solid state RGV projector!
I'm totally jealous.
James. :)
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Update on my projector:
Case is finished
reduced red and bluray beam diameters (405-g-1 lens)
Installed all class 4 safety requirements
Optical position indicator gives actual shutter position
home made shutter from an old galvo rotor i built few years back
Added DZE's color correction board
Modified Norms Driver board for 2 additional outputs, total 5 outputs
working on TEC Cooled dual red and dual bluray setup.
also building my own 532nm dpss green laser with tec cooling on KTP and IR diode.
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Case back panel, ready for transparent label overlay when powder coating is finished
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The single plate RGV assembly with three TECs is totally........
uhhhhhhhh..... COOL! ;D
DUH! %)
Seriously. That is about the sweetest setup I've ever seen.
I see you have made your own mirror mounts and everything.
I wish you lived in my neighborhood!
James. :)
PS. I dig the laser burns in your camera's CCD. Better that than your retinas.
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I am inspired by your design.
I have already started pricing the TEC plates.. LOL
Couple of questions:
Are you heating the diodes to the minimum operating tempature?
Then using the TEC's to keep them there?
Or just using them to cool?
I had been tossing around ideas on designing a DIODE TEC Cooling kit for DIY projectors... and here you have actually implemented it...
WORK WORK WORK WORK ... (although at work I can read msg boards :) )
makes me a dull boy.
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hi,
i am just cooling the red,bluray to 60F (15C).
the green i will have to play with, when it arrives. i suspect the ir diode will be cooled and the ktp crystal will be heated to give good analog modulation
pat
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I just feel the need to give this a bump.... awesome work.
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no-esc Thanks !
I have learned a lot. About a years worth of work. now if i can get my green working better.
pat
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There is no better teacher than personal experience!
You have made some amazing stuff.
James. :)
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making galvo replacement mirrors, using alum coated fused silica (laptop hd platters)
this looked like the coolest replacement and its free!! loss was too much though. i did learn how to cut glass thats f-n thin, .55mm thick!!
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400mw green for 150us dollars! how you ask? combine two 200mw modules, using knife edge combining! added heatsink to the driver transistor to eliminate duty cycle issues, for cw use. i have ran the duals full throttle (1.6amps total) 800ma each, for long time. modulation issues offset by 2nd module turning on before 1st module. this is simply Awsome.
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Oh! How I love your pictures! :D
Thank you for posting again.
I haven't read a single word.............
James. :)
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Yup.
That's beautiful! :)
I think you should try the sources on their own mounts at 90º of each other like we talked about.
Your work is stunning; the best I have seen! :)
Thanks for sharing.
I see the knife edge on the green(s). WOW. Totally!
You are a super nice and talented person! :)
DUDE! That's AWESOME !!! ;D
James. :)
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Thanks James. hope to have more pictures soon.
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hold on....
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here are some hosts i made
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532nm 30mw mini host
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532nm 30mw mini host
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650nm 250mw LOC Mini Red Host
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650nm 250mw LOC Mini Red Host
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532nm 200mw Ultrafire Laser Green Torch
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532nm 200mw Ultrafire Laser Green Torch
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650nm 500mw Dual red Mockup 10.5mm Brass housing
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Excellent photos and stellar work.
Do you machine your own parts?
What did you use to knife edge the 200mw of green together with?
I have 3 of them coming in the next couple of weeks.
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Thank you for the compliment!
I Used a mirror to place the second beam on the first beam. yes i make all my parts by hand.
my grand father , being a mason, taught me that, creation of visions, is a reality. having watched him for many years, inspired me early on.
no machining equiptment here, just a bench drill press and hand tools.
it becomes a part of you, reflecting talents and creativity. sure i could use a cnc to whip out parts, but i was laid off that job. oh well
see my pics of last nights tests of reworked optics layout:
1. home made scanner mirrors, too lossy, but way cool. temporary
2. reworked green, removed two mirrors in green path, more power!
3. raised green current from 1.2 amps to 1.625 amps for 813ma for each green module.
4. tidy up some wiring issues on the lower level.
5. reailing scanner amps
6. reailign color correction board
7. reset laser temps to 65F and test
8. find the happy spot for the greens temp setting.
later
pat
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Looks like knife edging two greens together didn't have any noticable negative effect on your overall beam Q.
NICE!
BTW your photography is excellent! I love looking at your stuff. ;D
James. :)
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hey !
rolling out the newest module including real blue, and doubles for ALL!
Polorized beam combiners and knife edge for the green
more soon...
pat
<img src="http://laserboy.org/forum/MGalleryItem.php?id=208" alt="" />
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YES! ;D
That is so nice!
I'm really starting to dig the dual green / knife edge thing. It makes sense!
Why no BluRay modules?
James. :)
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Happy to say, i have now started on the finishing steps of the projector. its been a long haul, started feb 2009 on a sheet of plywood, now an obsession! (perfect for my excessive/compulsive disorder!)
this includes the following:
coating the housings and all optics areas/ components and case in black. (Done)
labeling the projector in prep for cdrh class IV compliance:
1. back panel overlay for connections/adjustments (Done)
2. Manufactures info label
3. compliance label
4. aperture warning label
5. danger class IV/power/wavelength label
6. case Interlock protective housing warning label
(is this all the labels?)
here is a few pics
pat
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That is OUTSTANDING!
What did you use to make it black and what is the white labeling?
That looks so freakin' neat!
How much does it weigh?
James. :)
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hey thanks James!
interesting enough, the black, rattle can paint, is made by HYSTER, the forklift people. i used it alot during my work as forklift maintenance for a lumber company. the paint is awsome! very durable and tough. Hyster part number 1344901 low gloss black. best choice for black, in my opinion.
the labels are custom made in Photoshop. Then printed up by 'Signs By Tomorrow".
the back panel label is HP (Premium) White Print on Clear Vinyl.
After applying the label, I used clear coat to protect the print. i'll order the rest on Tuesday.
As far as the weight goes, its heavy! maybe 25 pounds, 12w x 12d x 7h inch dimensions.
My first show is in one week, July 25th, a private wedding, and need a set of red LOC diodes now.
Credits:
none of this would be possible without the inspiring talents and contributions of several individuals, including:
James
Andrew (Dr Lava)
Gary (Hyena)
This is a big thank you to you all!!
off to make some labels, later
Pat