Projecting DWG DXF

Hello to all laserists!

I am interested in building Laser cad projector. something like this: lap-laser.com/indallen/products/laserprojectors/cadpro2d.html

Is it posible convert existing laser projector (x-y scaner) that can be found on e-bay to project cad drawings? Is it more of software isue than hardware? Has someone build something simmilar?

I could use this equipement in my yust starting business (composite parts manufacturing), but comercial systems are beyond my reach. So I am thinking that it can be made.. please help.


vjeko

It seems to me that it is mainly a software issue. They talk about flat surfaces and calibration. Projecting on flat surfaces poses the same problem as in CRT screens. As the angle form the middle of the screen increases, the image gets locally more and more stretched, and in a corner (both high x and y angle) the stretch becomes so extreme it also creates radial pincusion distortion.

calibration of the laser would be difficult in this case.

the complexity of a cad drawing (depending on how complex it is) could pose a problem and may require a 40kpps scanner or higher, wich can get expensive.

keeperx said:

calibration of the laser would be difficult in this case.

the complexity of a cad drawing (depending on how complex it is) could pose a problem and may require a 40kpps scanner or higher, wich can get expensive.

Click to expand...

I want to project yust few rectangels and lines. 20 lines in total. On area 3m by 1m.

that should be no issue..

as stated before, calibration of the laser and software is the key. If you havd a drawing with known paramaters and then calibrated the laser to that drawing, you should be good.. as a matter of fact, there are a ton of tracing programs that will turn the drawing into an ilda file for you..

si the short answer is, yes you can turn an xy scanner into something that can project a cad drawing.. in with good software and a dac, it should pe prety easy.

any sugestion on how and where to start? buy scaner? build one?
How fast scaner do I need? ilda file, that is something like G-code for CNC machines?

I am totaly new to lasers, when it comes to elctronics I have a friend hwo builds stuff for me... but doesnt have much spare time, so I try to reasearch this topic litle bit.

there is a 12k scanner for sale in the BST section i think. that should do it..
dont try to build your first scanner..
I.L.D.A. == International Laser Display Asscociation. Its standard used often in the laser display community.
for your needs the scanner/DAC is the expensive part. a low power green laser is all you need for what your doing..