New here. Quick question.

Hey guys im new here and new to lasers. Ive been reading and reading pages on the forum for the last 4 days, but just signed up today. Im planning on a build real soon. I have a list of parts ill post when i get home from work. There seems to be only one thing so far that i am unsure of. And that is "nm" ex. 405nm. and how it works with "ma" im pretty sure "ma" stands for milliamps? But I dont know what "nm" means and if the lower the number is better for burning power or if a higher number is. I have used the search a couple different times but it comes up with nothing. If someone could please fill me in it would be greatly appreciated.

nm stands for nanometer it’s the wavelength or " color " of the light it has nothing to do with ma which is the current you supply the diode limited by a driver... the lower the nm the better it is to focus into a tiny dot as I believe 405nm can be focused down to 405nm but 532 can only be focused down o 532nm ...... correct me if I am wrong but I believe that is what I read somewhere also nm determines what objects the light will be opaque to and what it is transparent to a CO2 laser using a very high wavelength 10.64 microns which is in the IR range and can melt glass where as the visible spectrum would pass right though it

Ok thats what i thought that i read somewhere that the 405nm is best for burning power. Thanks for clearing up what it stands for and means.

It all depends on which color the thing you're trying to burn absorbs the best, however generally most of the things tend to absorb blu-ray (405nm) the most

Read the stickys

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/acronyms-forum-42167.html

Peace,
dave

daguin said:

Read the stickys

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/acronyms-forum-42167.html

Peace,
dave

Click to expand...

Thanks dude, sorry I didnt see that sticky. Seems like br is the way to go.
Here is the list im looking at. Please leme know if you think it is good.

405nm PHR-803T Blu Ray Diode in Aixiz Laser Module Housing From hightechdealz.com....$19.83
With a Micro-Drive V3 adjustable driver (assembled) for $13.00
The only problem I see with that driver is that if I want it preset, he says to order from his distributor "darklasers"......I just read that he is a thief!, so im really not sure on what to do here, cause Im mot knowledged "yet" in setting up the driver.
Leme know what you guys think.
Later!, Thanks again for the help!

anyone??

Are you planning to buy from Dark lasers?? or already sent money??

Are you really dead set on building it yourself or would a fully assembled/tested unit more to your liking??

no im not sending that thief any money after reading all that stuff bout him.....and yes im going to build my own. theres no fun in buying something already built.
so how about the list i have? any good?

BobH said:

It's against the law to turn a laser on in public for a good reason.

Click to expand...

:tinfoil:


ummmmm, no......that's not true.
:thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking:
its illegal to "enter into commerce" without being approved by the CDRH, but there is no law like you speak of.

I can turn on any laser anywhere I want. If I want to shine it in the air I have to notify the FAA so they can "re-rout' air traffic if they think it could be a problem and it had to be varianced if its going to be a public display. But that's it.

BobH said:

All it's going to take is one little white girl being hurt because of a laser, and then we'll have a new law named after her.

Click to expand...

But I guess it's OK to go around burning all the non white little girls without a problem???:wtf:

The only race that matters is the human race.

Dude im not going to b using this shit illegally... This is a new hobby im trying to get into. IM fully aware of how dangerous this stuff is and i will have proper eye protection as well.....now how about my list?? does it sound like a good start?

I understand, "little girl" would have been more politically correct.

I do commend the OP for wanting to get facts straight before jumping in head first.

And please don't think for a minute I was attacking you Bob, If I had not grabbed onto that, someone else would have.:beer:

I just happened to be the first one to spot the choice of words.

Lol im getting ignored here. I guess my list is good and ill go ahead and start ordering shit, I just need to find where to order a driver...

First welcome to the forum. Your list looks good.

Here is a link to two of the most popular drivers.

http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_diode/Micro_FlexDrive.php

or another choice is here.

rkcstr.com, Micro-Drive and laser diode electronics

An off topic reference.

As far as shining a laser in public this is on the FDA site:

TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS

CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

SUBCHAPTER A--GENERAL

PART 2 -- GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS AND DECISIONS
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec. 2.5 Imminent hazard to the public health.
(a) Within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act an imminent hazard to the public health is considered to exist when the evidence is sufficient to show that a product or practice, posing a significant threat of danger to health, creates a public health situation (1) that should be corrected immediately to prevent injury and (2) that should not be permitted to continue while a hearing or other formal proceeding is being held. The imminent hazard may be declared at any point in the chain of events which may ultimately result in harm to the public health. The occurrence of the final anticipated injury is not essential to establish that animminent hazard of such occurrence exists.
(b) In exercising his judgment on whether an imminent hazard exists, the Commissioner will consider the number of injuries anticipated and the nature, severity, and duration of the anticipated injury.


It looks like their equivalent of the general duty clause (US) Occupatioanl Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses.

Basically reads Employers must maintain a workplace free of recognized hazards.

So a catch all for the FDA to be interpreted as they wish? I do the OSHA side and that sounds like they could enforce it should they choose. I can not find any precedent where they have however. Also it appears that all they would be able to do is take it away. Hm interesting.

thanks man im going to order a rksctr drive :beer: