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PICS: Sound card DAC / Spaghetti problems

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ElektroFreak

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I've found that the system only works right when you're set to 5.1.. not sure why, but that's been my experience.

Also, I need to see what's going on inside the scanner. There may be an issue with the DMX program board or its connections. I advise pulling it out completely and wiring the galvos and modulation straight to the DB-25 connector.. you could use another breakout board for simplicity.
 





sk8er4514

sk8er4514

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ElektroFreak said:
I've found that the system only works right when you're set to 5.1.. not sure why, but that's been my experience.

Also, I need to see what's going on inside the scanner. There may be an issue with the DMX program board or its connections. I advise pulling it out completely and wiring the galvos and modulation straight to the DB-25 connector.. you could use another breakout board for simplicity.
Click to expand...

Cool I'll try the 5.1. I'll take some pics later as I'm at work right now. thanks for the help.

it seems I might need to start just asking over in PL..

thanks,
Kendall
 
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ElektroFreak

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Drlava, Things, myself and others are there as well. Undoubtedly you won't have any trouble finding help with getting it working..
 
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Things

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I don't have any problems running the sound card at any outputs. Are you passing the ILDa input through the DMX board that came with the scanners? I believe to enable ILDA output, I _THINK_ pins 7 and 14 on the DMX board ILDA input need to be connected together, as an interlock and to also let the board know you want to use ILDA (Auto-switching).

I would get in contact with Dave (dave[AT]luminavp[DOT]com.au) and ask. If you want to find out now, try bypassing the DMX board and see if it works, it isn't necessary for ILDA.
 
sk8er4514

sk8er4514

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Things said:
I don't have any problems running the sound card at any outputs. Are you passing the ILDa input through the DMX board that came with the scanners? I believe to enable ILDA output, I _THINK_ pins 7 and 14 on the DMX board ILDA input need to be connected together, as an interlock and to also let the board know you want to use ILDA (Auto-switching).

I would get in contact with Dave (dave[AT]luminavp[DOT]com.au) and ask. If you want to find out now, try bypassing the DMX board and see if it works, it isn't necessary for ILDA.
Click to expand...

Yes the ILDA is going throught the program DMX board that came with the scanners, I didn't realize the 7 and 14 pins need to be wired together...

you sure its 7 and 14,
RGBpinout.png


or do you mean a different set of pins?


and what do you mean when you say bypassing the DMX board? How would I do that?

thanks,
Kendall
 
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carmangary

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sk8er4514 said:
it seems I might need to start just asking over in PL..
Click to expand...

If you have a question about Spaghetti or Sound Card DACs you should go to the unofficial support website at: LaserBoy Forum

Myself, and the guy that invented the sound card DAC, are regulars there. And, neither one of us post on PL anymore since we have been banned from that site.

I can tell you right off that your problem isn't with Spaghetti and that the problems you are having is why I tell people not to bother with soundcard DACs unless you like migraine headaches. :)

I see a lot of wrong information on this forum so be careful with the advise you receive here.
 
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Things

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Not 7 and 14 then, must be mistaken. I'll ask Dave for you.

By bypassing the DMX board, I mean just wiring the ILDA input directly to your scanners and lasers etc, so that the signals don't have to pass through the DMX board.

I'll look into this some more.
 
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ElektroFreak

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carmangary said:
I can tell you right off that your problem isn't with Spaghetti and that the problems you are having is why I tell people not to bother with soundcard DACs unless you like migraine headaches. :)
Click to expand...

I would agree that the issue is not software, but the soundcard DAC is perfectly sound and quite simple. With a scope, there are no headaches which is why I always offer to tune peoples soundcard DACs free of charge. It's a very simple process and works every time. The idea of a DIY DAC is a great one which I don't believe should be overlooked. Just because some people have had issues before means nothing other than the fact that they were ill-equipped. I firmly believe the soundcard DAC gets an undeserved bad rap. What can I say, though.. I'm a HUGE supporter of anything DIY.
 
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Things

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I agree the sound card DAC can be a pain in the ass at times, but once it's all done and in a nice enclosure, you can't really do any better for under $50!

Even though I have a FB3, I still occasionally use the sound card DAC.
 
drlava

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"bought spaghetti but my laser scanner doesn't do anything but the sample programs that it runs"

If the test frames display, then the shows should display. Please give more info about what works and what doesn't for you and we can be of more assistance.

"the problems you are having is why I tell people not to bother with soundcard DACs unless you like migraine headaches. "

The original problem he had was a shorting problem because he bolted a PCB directly in contact to a metal chassis. That's a beginner problem, not a sound card DAC problem. Too often people confuse this because beginners often start with a sound card DAC.
 
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BuildAbluraylaser

BuildAbluraylaser

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@ drLava (sorry for the threadjack...)

I'm looking for a RIYA DAC Micro and I heard that you had some for sale. If this is the case, then please PM with the price and shipping to Canada. Thank you.
 
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carmangary

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drlava said:
The original problem he had was a shorting problem because he bolted a PCB directly in contact to a metal chassis. That's a beginner problem, not a sound card DAC problem. Too often people confuse this because beginners often start with a sound card DAC.
Click to expand...

I have nothing agains the hardware or the concept. It's the flaky Windows configuration that turns me off. Once you set it up it works fine but even the simple task of unplugging it and hooking it back up or to a different computer can be a challenge. A better solution would be something like Norm's DAC where you build a true DAC that is recognized as a DAC and needs no Windows configuration. Unfortunately, he failed with his 8bit output and TTL color channel design.
 
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ElektroFreak

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sk8er4514 said:
and what do you mean when you say bypassing the DMX board? How would I do that?

thanks,
Kendall
Click to expand...

You would just take the + and - wires on the galvo amp inputs which are connected to the DMX board currently and connect them directly to pins 1 and 14, and 2 and 15 for X and Y respectively. Then take the modulation input wire from you laser and wire it directly to pins 6 and 19 of the DB-25 input connector on the back of your scanner. You can either solder them directly to the connector or use a breakout board.
 
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Things

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carmangary said:
I have nothing agains the hardware or the concept. It's the flaky Windows configuration that turns me off. Once you set it up it works fine but even the simple task of unplugging it and hooking it back up or to a different computer can be a challenge. A better solution would be something like Norm's DAC where you build a true DAC that is recognized as a DAC and needs no Windows configuration. Unfortunately, he failed with his 8bit output and TTL color channel design.
Click to expand...

If you know your electronics, building a DAC using a FTDI USB interface IC and a DAC from Analog Semiconductors will offer some pretty good results, and can be set up to somewhat emulate the Moncha DAC (Work with Spaghetti).

If you don't know your electronics, a sound card DAC is probably the best way, as my option would require a fair bit of knowledge on electronics, but if you know electronics, it can be a very respectable, cheap DAC.
 
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carmangary

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You're missing the point. It isn't about how complex it is to build, it is about how complex it is to use. The sound cards are not opening the doors to newbies like I thought they might due to the fact that they aren't easy to build and use. In my opinion, it's easier to just save up the extra $125 or so and buy a pre-made RIYA.

What I want to see is something like a RIYA or EasyLase but without the TTL, DMX, and SD cards at a price of $99 or less. Maybe in a kit form with no case or connectors added... I think it could be done, though.
 
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