I plan to build a spirograph projector using rog's 7 color laser kit. I think I want it to be computer controlled flexmod and a DAC. I'm not exactly sure what a DAC is but I know it is necessary it. Where can I get the flexmods and how many do I need? I also need to know where to get a DAC and what it is.


Idealy I want to be able to switch between the computer controlling the spirograph and using the pre programmed 7 color laser driver.

DAC = Digital Analog Converter

Thanks. Any idea where I can get flexmods?


Edit: never mind I got it.

What you're wanting is not possible with a spirograph. A spiro contains 2-3 motors with offset mirrors which produce spirograph patterns only. Computer control is not possible, and a DAC is not needed.

For a system that can be computer controlled and can produce animations and advanced patterns you'll need to build an X,Y scanner using galvos and lasers which support being modulated. More information on these kinds of systems can be found in the "new to scanners" sticky in this section. A tutorial for building your own DAC using a 5.1ch sound card can be found here.

I'd like it to produce animations if possible. I didn't know it wasn't called a spirograph. What is in an x,y scanner? Do you have a rough picture of how to do it?

Check here. Also, check out the rest of the site while you're there.. It describes pretty much all you need to know to get an idea of how laser show projectors work..

you could also try my guide section www.laser-man.co.uk

^Another good resource, yes. Andy certainly knows what's up..

I like how Andy refers to me as the guy who knows a lot about 15K scanners on his website. LOL.

LOL

you helped me big time when i had those 15k scanners

Using DAC to control motor speeds sounds like a fun idea.

Simple spiro patterns like stars, rotating stars, crowns, loops, etc... can be programmed to spin, tumble and throb on command.

I have a little commercial spiro that has music control, it's really neat.

Using a DAC to control motors is overkill, and you wont find any software with spirograph support. If you want a computer controlled spirograph, check out the "Arduino", it would be very easy to implement.

Maybe overkill, but if someone wanted a simple DAC project, the satisfaction of creating something from scratch, etc... it would be a fun project nonetheless.

The original poster doesn't want a computer controlled spirograph at all. He wants an XY scanner but just called it the wrong name.

Yeah I called it by the wrong name. I really want a computer controlled xy scanner. I need to know where to get the galvos from. I can't find anywhere to buy them from.

That's my other thought. If I can't build the x y scanner I thought it would be fun to build a dac controlled spirograph but as the other poster mentioned there isnt really and software for it. I know about arduino, could that be used to control an xy scanner?

Just type "galvo" in Ebay. They're there.

Or, you can buy a whole scanner on there. Search for "laser show scanner".

An Arduino can be used as a DAC, but not without a lot of work. If you are on a budget, check out the sound card DAC, search for it over on photonlexicon.com.

The Arduino suggestion was for things like spirographs, as it has PWM outputs. You can't use PWM for an XY scanner.