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Soap Bubbles and lasers

Bubble-Man

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Hello all!
I am newly registered to the forum although I have been reading info here for a while now, and finally decided to plunge in and register.
I am a professional Bubble Artist, which means I perform a show with Soap Bubbles: Giant bubbles, smoke bubbles, fire bubbles, etc..
I have seen (and talked to) a couple of other bubbles artists who use laser pointers in their shows, and exploring doing the same, though want to be sure it will be done in a safe way. I was recommended a minimum of 500mw green and/or minimum of 1w blue or red to be visually effective on stage while stage lights are low (I don't want total blackout on stage), creating effects while pointing lasers at smoke/fog bubbles and or small bubble suds/foam (which breaks a beam into many beams) , some of it on stage level and some above stage (as the bubbles float up when filled with Helium). this will only be done for s short section in a show (i.e. up to 1 minute) , but I wonder if it's safe to do so, and how to keep it safe on stage for audience and performers, what to look out for, and where is best place to buy (looking to get green, blue and red of similar units) Any advice will be welcomed. I know a lot about bubbles, but little about lasers at this point, though I have owned 5mw lasers for 20 years. Many thanks!
 

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Snecho

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Welcome!

There are few things in this world that I don't find interesting. Bubbles one of them :p

I've always liked bubbles... at the expense of people thinking I'm immature lol. But I've never heard of bubble shows. Smoke bubbles, fire bubbles?? Now that's pretty cool. Pretty awesome what you do man.

Technically speaking, 5mW is the max for eye safety. However what makes it complicated is all the random refractions and reflections going on that make obviously incredibly likely to get a laser in someone's eye. However these same refractions split up the power of the lasers. May be some serious maths needed here...

I would imagine some laser show experts here can help as they do pretty much the same thing. There is a whole set of calculations they do because their laser projectors also get into people's eyes. There's even something they do called "audience scanning" where it's intentionally pointed at the spectators.
 

Bubble-Man

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Thank you! I appreciate your response. Hopeing more people will read it and give advice. Meanwhile can you recommend online shop/s for hand held lasers. So much stuff on google, difficult to know what shops sell legit safe and fair priced products..
 

Snecho

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Thank you! I appreciate your response. Hopeing more people will read it and give advice. Meanwhile can you recommend online shop/s for hand held lasers. So much stuff on google, difficult to know what shops sell legit safe and fair priced products..
Well, are you thinking of using handheld lasers for your purposes, or stationary labby type lasers?
 

Bubble-Man

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At this stage hand-held only, Green, red and blue - I may look at a later stage to invest in a laser show system to add to my show but not yet.
 

Snecho

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At this stage hand-held only, Green, red and blue - I may look at a later stage to invest in a laser show system to add to my show but not yet.
As far as suggesting a real place to buy from, it would depend on the powers you need. But for that, we still haven't figured out the dangers of using one for a show.
 

Bubble-Man

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Yes, I agree. Safety is my main concerns right now. What I was told though is that anything under 500mw will not be visually effective on stage
 

Encap

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Since you are in the UK see: https://www.lvroptical.com/blog-audience-scanning.html and check UK Laser and Laser show Laws, Rules, and Regulations pertaining to same. See also: https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...n-safety-advice/laser-radiation-safety-advice

In the USA to use any laser or laser projector for public laser demonstrations, displays or shows with outputs >5 milliwatts a “variance” from the US FDA. needs be applied for and approved by FDA. This document gives the variance holder permission to “vary” from the 5 milliwatt limit, by using more power.
 
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Snecho

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Yes, I agree. Safety is my main concerns right now. What I was told though is that anything under 500mw will not be visually effective on stage
It depends on the color. 300mW or 500mW of green would be very visually effective.
 

Bubble-Man

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Yes was thinking of 500mw green, but will probably need 1000mw for blue and/or red. Can you recommend an online shop/website, I can always consult with them regarding application. Many thanks appreciate all your help guys!
 

Snecho

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Yes was thinking of 500mw green, but will probably need 1000mw for blue and/or red. Can you recommend an online shop/website, I can always consult with them regarding application. Many thanks appreciate all your help guys!
laserpointerstore.com has a good cheap option for $50 called Thor M2. It's around 1W-1.5W for that option. For red or green check out Sanwulasers.com. They are much more expensive but one of the best quality you can get. Also JetLasers for a red or green PL-E Mini is similar price but more rugged.
 

Bubble-Man

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So decided to start off with some 80-200mw level laser pointers to experiment with lasers and bubbles . Just made an order from Sanwu, for a 304: red, green and blue (445) lasers with some goggles sets and star heads . Looking forward to playing with them. Perhaps they will also be enough for use on stage with stage light dimmed right down, and without the need to buy 1W burning lasers. I will post some photos or videos, when I get a chance. Thank you all for the tips and advice, much appreciated!
 

Bubble-Man

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The package from SANWU arrived. However, 2 of the 304 are damaged with deep scratches on them as they were not properly packed, ALL the batteries I ordered are missing! and the set of star heads are missing! and the small box he sent is so small it can't contain anything!!!

As they don't use paypal, I have no way to claim, so I lost my money... Not sure why so many people here praise them....
 

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Snecho

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The package from SANWU arrived. However, 2 of the 304 are damaged with deep scratches on them as they were not properly packed, ALL the batteries I ordered are missing! and the set of star heads are missing! and the small box he sent is so small it can't contain anything!!!

As they don't use paypal, I have no way to claim, so I lost my money... Not sure why so many people here praise them....
The batteries come separate.

The star heads are already screwed onto the front of the laser.

Contact Sanwu customer service and they will be more than happy to help you with the scratch defects.

Please calm down.
 

Bubble-Man

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Thanks, I am calm. It's just I rarely order from China without using paypal.....
I contacted Sanwu now, hope to hear back from them soon.
I ordered a set of 5 laser heads, so not sure how all 5 are on the 3 laser pointers I ordered....

Also a question about the goggles, I just tried a cheap 5mw red laser, and it shoots through the Green coloured goggles, Sanwu sent me, on the wall, so no protection at all, is this how its supposed to work?
 
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