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Can I use my laser to pop balloons?

kayl

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Hey guys, right now I have a 2W 980nM laser pointer that I was using for a research project that is no longer existing. Now my boss want to see if we can use this laser create a balloon popping machine that tracks the balloon and points the laser at it. I tried popping a black balloon and it eventually popped but I need it to be much quicker. Does anyone have any suggestions on if this is possible? If so how?
 





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980nm is a serious eye hazard, everyone at the balloon party would need proper laser safety glasses.
 

kayl

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Everyone in the closed room will have proper eye protection. This will not be demonstrated to people. We will just be obtaining a video of the machine running.
 
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Hey guys, right now I have a 2W 980nM laser pointer that I was using for a research project that is no longer existing. Now my boss want to see if we can use this laser create a balloon popping machine that tracks the balloon and points the laser at it. I tried popping a black balloon and it eventually popped but I need it to be much quicker. Does anyone have any suggestions on if this is possible? If so how?

I would think to get a 1W or 2W 445nm, since 980nm is a rather un energetic wavelength and is not well absorbed by most materials, if you have a tight budget, buy this (http://goo.gl/v3avam) from o-like, unscrew the module, (take out the lens attachment, hit it on your hand and unscrew it with your palm) hook it up to a variable power supply or just an 18650, put the module into a heatsink, and fire it up with your swiveling base attachment and software. I do not know how feasible it is to track your balloons though, good luck with your project!
 
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kayl

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I would think to get a 1W or 2W 445nm, since 980nm is a rather un energetic wavelength and is not well absorbed by most materials, if you have a tight budget, buy this (New waterproof Blue laser 1W torch /focusable [OL-BLUW] - $54.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce) from o-like, unscrew the module, (take out the lens attachment, hit it on your hand and unscrew it with your palm) hook it up to a variable power supply or just an 18650, put the module into a heatsink, and fire it up with your swiveling base attachment and software. I do not know how feasible it is to track your balloons though, good luck with your project!

I already have the 2W 980nm laser I just didn't want to purchase another laser if I didn't have to. The tracking is all ready taken care of and the systems been made. Just need to throw a laser on it and its ready to go. Thanks for the help!
 
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kayl

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Buy this (New waterproof Blue laser 1W torch /focusable [OL-BLUW] - $54.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce) from o-like, unscrew the module, (take out the lens attachment, hit it on your hand and unscrew it with your palm) hook it up to a variable power supply or just an 18650, put the module into a heatsink, and fire it up with your swiveling base attachment and software. I do not know how feasible it is to track your balloons though, good luck with your project!

Also why would you take apart the laser? Is it not capable of popping balloons using its current system?
 
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Everyone in the closed room will have proper eye protection. This will not be demonstrated to people. We will just be obtaining a video of the machine running.

Its still not a good idea. The last thing you want is someone replicating this video.
 

kayl

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Its still not a good idea. The last thing you want is someone replicating this video.

I appreciate your input but I disagree. I don't see the harm in this project with a more proper laser, like the one Pikablu has proposed and the proper safety equipment/procedure.
 
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Also why would you take apart the laser? Is it not capable of popping balloons using its current system?

To remotely power on and off the laser, as in when it pops the balloon, it turns off, tracks the other one, and turns on again, which is better than having it constantly on all the time and damaging your site, also, that laser has poor heatsinking and if you leave it on constantly rather than in a pulse manner, it will overheat.
 
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I already have the 2W 980nm laser I just didn't want to purchase another laser if I didn't have to. The tracking is all ready taken care of and the systems been made. Just need to throw a laser on it and its ready to go. Thanks for the help!

I am afraid that I do not think your 980nm will be able to do it faster if it's already properly focused, I see no other way to make it go faster without a new laser, but maybe i'm wrong because I only have around four lasers and im just a junior member. Maybe one of the vets could help you out?
 




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