Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

DVDRW Case 4 Motor Spirograph

Joined
Mar 29, 2011
Messages
1,056
Points
48
So I decided to make e spirograph... (this is actually 2nd revision of it. the 1st version was using 5mW Red and second
surface mirrors
))

now I am using 30mW Green and FS mirrors (actually the same mirrors but with back paint removed. I just hated the
ghost reflections of the SS mirrors.

attachment.php


first I started removing everything I had put on the bottom and attaching a piece of inlaid wooden floor
on the bottom because the metal is quite thin and easily bends in directions which alter the
alignment of the mirrors. (this was another error in my first design)


attachment.php


the motors I took from 4 damaged/old CD/DVD drives, they operate the cd tray door. and run at 6V max.

I accidently threw away the rubbers of 2 of the motors that were perfect for plasing mirrors on them.
So I took some of my girlfriend's bracelets parts and they worked out quite nice.


attachment.php


now I drilled some holes, put 4 pots, used the original led from the drive and
put a clicky switch for a flashlight behind the original tray door button. :)

at the back of the drive there is a DC jack for power adaptor.

attachment.php


next the great time consuming alignment takes place which is not photographed :D

some photos of the finished alignment and the drive which is l1117 my etched pcb at ~378mA

attachment.php


ok final testing and ready to enclose:
attachment.php

attachment.php


and there it is - aperture is the top of the cd drive with guts taken out :D
and a shot in the dark... some videos coming :

attachment.php


hope you like it :beer: :san:

video 1
video 2

next I will be adding a microcontroller to remember and auto set the patterns i like :)
 

Attachments

  • mirrors.JPG
    mirrors.JPG
    195.6 KB · Views: 1,509
  • bottom.JPG
    bottom.JPG
    158.4 KB · Views: 1,321
  • motors.JPG
    motors.JPG
    121.6 KB · Views: 1,498
  • cd tray.JPG
    cd tray.JPG
    295.1 KB · Views: 1,236
  • alignment.JPG
    alignment.JPG
    217.6 KB · Views: 1,242
  • laser on.JPG
    laser on.JPG
    175.5 KB · Views: 2,188
  • final_open.JPG
    final_open.JPG
    190.3 KB · Views: 1,136
  • final_closed.JPG
    final_closed.JPG
    112.4 KB · Views: 1,280
Last edited:





Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
1,878
Points
48
i do like it ive built a spiro myself and there alot of fun to play with....reminds me i need to show mine off :beer;
 

Blord

0
Joined
Dec 24, 2007
Messages
5,356
Points
0
Great tutorial. I thew away alot of drives when I was harvesting red diodes.
Och well, old CD-drives are abundance.
 

JLSE

1
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
3,580
Points
0
Nice work :)

My very first red laser from a DVD drive ended up mounted on
top of the empty drive housing.. Inside was pump and reservoir
for mineral oil..

Hadnt thought of making a spiro in one but looks like a clean setup :beer:
 
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Messages
56
Points
0
NICE!

Quick Question- does the angle of the plane of the mirrors have to be specific, or did you just stick them closest to perpendicular to the motor axis? I am starting to look into building one myself soon...
 
Last edited:
Joined
Oct 26, 2007
Messages
5,438
Points
83
The spirograph will only make "spiros" from the random off-angle of the mirror on the axis. So you'll have to just tweak it until you get a pattern you think looks good.
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
434
Points
28
The spirograph will only make "spiros" from the random off-angle of the mirror on the axis. So you'll have to just tweak it until you get a pattern you think looks good.

Why have I not seen anyone strive towards the ability to adjust the pitch while the mirror
is spinning? That is where it's at for full control!
Buy a swash plate assembly for a remote controlled helicopter, they are surprisingly cheap for what they are and what you could do with one.
 
Joined
Mar 29, 2011
Messages
1,056
Points
48
The spirograph will only make "spiros" from the random off-angle of the mirror on the axis. So you'll have to just tweak it until you get a pattern you think looks good.

yep, I just tweaked it until I was satisfied with the angles of all mirrors.

@LaserCo
I haven't got time to improve mine yet, too much work.... I made it as simple as possible, but I might consider your advice :) :beer:
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
10,662
Points
113
nice work
rc wired and wireless from toys can make building very simple and give joystick full control
 
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Messages
56
Points
0
I'm debating on trying out either this style rig, or X-Y scanner type setup made from servos and small audio amplifiers... What you suggest?
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
10,662
Points
113
both or maybe combining them.
only limit is ones imagination.
show a pointer... they will ask... 'what good is it?'
show a spiro ..... 'wow thats cool..'

I like spiro better with 3 motors over 2 and 4 are better than 3.. motors that are not reversable, to me, are not as cool. i use DPDT switches and pots and if it is has a center 'off' position that is nice too.
I have never worried about the angle as it is darn near impossible to glue a mirror perfectly flat.
Align the mirrors with the motors off and try to hit the center of each mirror. If you image gets clipped you may need to re-glue some mirrors to get them closer to flat.

The pattern grows in size as it goes to more mirrors- and it can get TOO big and be clipped. Positioning everything very close helps with that issue. If your mirrors are of different sizes you want the beam bouncing off the smallest mirror first and the largest last. and ,of course being able to use different speeds (from very slow to very fast) will give you the most patterns. You can knife edge more than one color laser, but the spots need to be very close. FS mirrors are the best to use. if your lasers are low power using an old home movie screen will make them 'jump' .

one last tip=glue a mirror to a speaker voice coil and your spiro image will move to the music. woofers bounce the most.. enjoy
 
Last edited:

vk2fro

0
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
1,304
Points
63
uC, swash plates from an RC copter, pwm drive from uC to motors, and audio in to set the spiro to the music. Could be a good plan :)

I never thought the spares for my 500 heli would actually have other uses (well the swash plates anyway)
 
Last edited:




Top