The E-drive (V3) + PDF

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

laserluke said:

You can use just a single ZXCT1021 and no other components...
I think that this is really useful for any user. You can mount your build (driver, laser diode, heatsink, host etc.) and set or change the desired current without the need to further disconnect the diode from the driver...
-luke

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Very cool, but they seem to cost $1.50 each... Do you know of better pricing?

:thanks:

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

I'm sorry, i don't know a good source for low prices... but i remember that you are very good in finding good sellers...
-Luke

tsteele93 said:

Very cool, but they seem to cost $1.50 each... Do you know of better pricing?

:thanks:

Click to expand...

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

Meatball said:

I don't know about you, but I'm not about to get out my pencil tipped iron to try and make smd connections with it. I would have to buy some solder paste and the then bake the board. I would not want to do that either since its a two-sided board. Many people don't have nice vices, and magnifying glasses to get something that small on something they already bought.

If someone is going to spend $20 on a <12mm driver, should it not at least be complete in one piece? Ready to use? I think these tiny pot serves their purpose just fine. If you really HAVE to have your current setting to be perfectly within 15mA, then I suppose there are plenty of other drivers capable of doing so.

I think the purpose of this driver is centered on flexibility in a cost effective package. Something will have to sacrificed to make that happen.

Click to expand...

This^ I'll only add that I like to tinker as most of us and having a pot makes you feel like your doing minor surgery... muhaaaa.

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)



This is just for now, until we get all of the actual documentation up.

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

Le Quack said:

This is just for now, until we get all of the actual documentation up.

Click to expand...

looking good fellas. :wave::wave:

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

Le Quack said:

This is just for now, until we get all of the actual documentation up.

Click to expand...

Is there a plan to center the output pads along that right side edge?

That was one awesome thing about some drivers from years ago, was that it allowed you to directly attach the driver to a diode, and then neatly screw on the back half of the aixis module over the whole thing.

Remember the rckstr? The flexdrive?

It looks like that giant cap may be difficult to move though.. I don't really know.

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

I just want to make a few comments on the driver after actually using it...

I love the fact that I can use many different battery types. It's nice to have options for the power source, which is always an important consideration when assembling a high power portable laser.
The output seems stable and the driver does not produce much heat which is something I appreciate very much.

But there are a couple suggestions that I think would make the driver even better than it already is...

First, I'd really like to see the output pads centered. I really like to hook up the driver directly to the diode since I mostly build compact lasers (usually pens). Unless the diode has long pins it will be difficult to make a direct connection. Using wires can get messy and takes up a lot of space - something which there is not much of in a little pen host.

Making the driver a tiny bit smaller would also be great. I had to file down a little off the sides to get it to fit just right.
Also, I think the big capacitor and the inductor could be moved to also be more centered. This would make it possible to fit the driver into the back of an Aixiz module. I had to make some major changes to the design and assembly of my latest project because the shape of the driver.

Besides the size/shape of the driver and positioning of the components and output pads, I think this is a great driver and I think that future versions will be even better.

Thanks a lot to all who worked on it. I'll look forward to seeing what you have to offer in the future.

One more thing... I still think "Quack-drive" has a better ring to it.

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

Meatball said:

Is there a plan to center the output pads along that right side edge?

Click to expand...

RA_pierce said:

I just want to make a few comments on the driver after actually using it...

Click to expand...

These are the larger versions of the boards that are out in the world right now. 12.68 mm by 9.94 mm...

The mini's will be much smaller, at 9mm by 11.73 mm ... And the output capacitor is a bit smaller, so it should fit correctly in an aixiz module. These will be sold at $15.99. They're going to start being produced in a week, I believe.

Another thing to note, I ALSO finished designing a super small version of the driver, I dub it the Elasti-drive Micro.

Coming in at only 8.69 mm by 11.33 mm, this is literally as small as I can get the driver. However, the price will have to be increased a small amount... since it's hard to source smaller caps in the same capacitances I need for the driver. I also made the output holes into SMD pads, and centered them, so you can easily shove it in an aixiz module and use it in there. And, it's still adjustable!

Quack-drive.... Eh. xD It sounds too cartoony.

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

Quack drive is my vote!
Or you could call it Q-Drive and call the mini version the miQro-Drive lol

I'll be sharing my experience with this driver as soon as I get my diode and can carve out some time in my busy college life
Thanks le Quack
-Greg

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"

A more affordable and better buck/boost, we're entering a new laser era!

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

Le Quack said:

These are the larger versions of the boards that are out in the world right now. 12.68 mm by 9.94 mm...

The mini's will be much smaller, at 9mm by 11.73 mm ... And the output capacitor is a bit smaller, so it should fit correctly in an aixiz module. These will be sold at $15.99. They're going to start being produced in a week, I believe.

Another thing to note, I ALSO finished designing a super small version of the driver, I dub it the Elasti-drive Micro.

Coming in at only 8.69 mm by 11.33 mm, this is literally as small as I can get the driver. However, the price will have to be increased a small amount... since it's hard to source smaller caps in the same capacitances I need for the driver. I also made the output holes into SMD pads, and centered them, so you can easily shove it in an aixiz module and use it in there. And, it's still adjustable!

Quack-drive.... Eh. xD It sounds too cartoony.

Click to expand...

Right... I was aware of the specifications when I purchased it and didn't expect something else. I just wanted to give some feedback as promised. The driver works wonderfully I just over-estimated the space I had to work with.
I think the mini will be better for my more compact projects... I'll look forward to those.

The "micro" version sounds sweet.

Thanks again!

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

Le Quack said:

Quack-drive.... Eh. xD It sounds too cartoony.

Click to expand...

Elasti-drive sounds too much as if you are trying to follow after Dr.Lava and his flexdrive. I think this is a unique driver and it should have a unique name that will make it stand out. Quack-drive although may be cartoony says that its creator is not without a sense of humor. That will draw people to you!

And I get credit for suggesting it originally muahahahaha

P.S. elasti-drive also sounds as if its made of rubber... a bit weird... but the ultimate decision is yours of-course

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

IMO the first name sticks... Too late now

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

I am a fan of the Quackdrive. Who can forget that name?

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

Le-driver xD

Aha, I dunno, I can't think of anything cool that doesn't involve my username.

Maybe... Ultra-drive?

All-drive

Q-Drive

BB-Drive (buckboostdrive)

S-drive (super drive)

Total-Drive

Duck-drive (or D-drive)

J-drive (My name is Jared)

Hrm.

Re: The Elasti-drive Intro (V1 and V2)

what do you have against your username?

EDIT: I like the DuckDrive