Clear Canopy issues and possible solutions

[Alaskan]

This will be very nice, I wanted a pointer which could show the optics inside, just that I didn't want to get blasted with light at night from the body of the laser. Best of both worlds. RB, really man, you are killing me with that avatar! I'm so envious you were able to buy those, but it's a split situation since I wanted them to stay down under too.

 

[RB astro]

RB, really man, you are killing me with that avatar! I'm so envious you were able to buy those, but it's a split situation since I wanted them to stay down under too.

:gh: :thanks:

 

[lasersbee]

When I saw the Thread Tittle I thought this
was a Thread about full size or maybe R/C
airplane canopies... :yh:


Jerry

 

[BobMc]

Was wondering what it would be like to make the clear acrylic out of od5 (or so) safety glass? Would cut down the light, but still be able see the optics? :thinking:

 

[paul1598419]

Using safety glass to cut down the light from the clear canopy is just overkill as that light is not dangerous to look at. It would, however, cause the expense to climb exponentially.

 

[BobMc]

It has nothing to do with the light being dangerous or the price of the build, Only the looks and functionality of the build. I think it is something that's worth considering. Oh, I do not think it's "overkill" at all, actually think it might make the build that much nicer :thinking: But the person that is paying for it, should be able to decide.

 

[CDBEAM777]

Well....Here we have a drawing of what the Gort Shroud...may....look like

See attached : Gort Shroud V9 drawing

I am undecided as to how to fix the lateral position and limit radial movement. So...maybe just a Allen head bolt....screwed into the Aluminum Cylinder...captured within a longitudinal slot. This slot being 180 degree from the glass window centre line. The slot would allow ...roughly 75 degree rotation.

So...rotated down.....closed....rotated up....open !!

As Billy Pilgram would say....to the Tralfamadorian's...." Please lower the Night Curtian " :crackup::crackup::crackup:

CDBEAM

 

[BobMc]

I think this is coming together quite nicely. Looking very functional. Curious, will it block out all the light, or will there still be a little creeping through the seams? :thinking:

 

[paul1598419]

I guess that is nice, but I really liked the clear plastic cylinder in the original version. Seems like the window is much smaller, making the view of the optics limited to a top down viewing angle. Would it be so difficult to make a rotating cylinder half aluminum and half optical grade plastic? It would give one the option of closing off the light from the optics while giving the viewer a much larger window and greater viewing angles.

 

[CDBEAM777]

I guess that is nice, but I really liked the clear plastic cylinder in the original version. Seems like the window is much smaller, making the view of the optics limited to a top down viewing angle. Would it be so difficult to make a rotating cylinder half aluminum and half optical grade plastic? It would give one the option of closing off the light from the optics while giving the viewer a much larger window and greater viewing angles.

Thinking !!!!!!

See attached pic Gort Shroud V11

Well....interesting....A limiting factor is the chord dimension of the bridge....being 116.6 degree.

Because of this..we cannot go 180 degree Aluminum and 180 degree Glass/Acrylic.

We are really limited to a maximum chord angle of 116.6 degree for the window portion !!

I must consider the details for awhile longer !!:thinking::thinking::thinking:

In the end....all engineering solutions...are a compromise....and this one will be too !:san::san:

CDBEAM

 

[paul1598419]

Why couldn't you cut an acrylic cylinder in half and add that to an aluminum cylinder cut in half? Have that rotate around a smaller half aluminum cylinder that holds the optics? Could be mounted on a ring of bearings to make for smooth movement.

 

[Alaskan]

I like either method, as long as there is a way to shield the light coming out.

 

[BowtieGuy]

Well....Here we have a drawing of what the Gort Shroud...may....look like

See attached : Gort Shroud V9 drawing

I am undecided as to how to fix the lateral position and limit radial movement. So...maybe just a Allen head bolt....screwed into the Aluminum Cylinder...captured within a longitudinal slot. This slot being 180 degree from the glass window centre line. The slot would allow ...roughly 75 degree rotation.

So...rotated down.....closed....rotated up....open !!

As Billy Pilgram would say....to the Tralfamadorian's...." Please lower the Night Curtian " :crackup::crackup::crackup:

CDBEAM

I think that would be one of the simplest solutions for a rotational limit, and it would be easily removable if need be, just a small socket head screw, or if you wanted a smaller diameter stop screw, a tiny 'set screw' would do the job.

As far as the size of the "window" is concerned, I sure you and our "LPF engineering team" will come up with the best compromise.

 

[CDBEAM777]

Why couldn't you cut an acrylic cylinder in half and add that to an aluminum cylinder cut in half? Have that rotate around a smaller half aluminum cylinder that holds the optics? Could be mounted on a ring of bearings to make for smooth movement.

Paul...if I understand you correctly....and maybe I do not ?????

Yes...a 1/2 Acrylic tube + 1/2 Aluminum tube could be machined and joined...that can be done. BUT...the flat section ( Which is the location of the LD and optics)...is 116.6 degree...not 180 degree " half aluminum cylinder ".....so...if one had a 180 degree Aluminum section...this would not completely cover the opening....which is ....

360 degree -116.6 degree = 243.4 degree

SO....The Aluminum tube portion that we we use for the opaque section of our cover.... cannot be less than 243.3 degree out of an available 360 degree. Anything less....and we will not completely shield those " escaping photons " !!

And on the shroud construct travel limit ...what ever is simple will be the way to go !! As to the addition of bearing to deliver a smooth radial travel....well yes...they would....but....I would prefer a limited slip/friction fit. I want the shroud to rotate....when I want it to rotate. No surprise rotation.

The single Allen head bolt could have a small Nylon washer....between the bolt head and the tube OD slot. The Nylon washer would supply some degree of ease of rotational movement as the Allen bolt head delivers downward pressure.

In closing.....The process of machining...and joining two (2) tubes....one Aluminum....one Acrylic....the first being 243.4 degree...and the second being
116.6 degree....would be....errrr....challenging. I prefer the glass window concept !!! Gotta think more on this !!

As they say..." The Devil is in the Details " :eg:


Note: Added drawing of " Glass Window " version....V12....to show the window delivers a FOV of 48 degree...so...yes...the dual construct would deliver a FOV of 116.6 degree. BUT....a more complicated construct is the Tube + Tube construct.


Later,
CDBEAM

 

[BobMc]

A thought anyways??? :thinking:


Maybe just one "shield" that slides up and covers the optics and not rotating to cover the optics?? That way if 180 degree won't cover the optics it could be made wider?

Edit, with the shield that slid up from the bottom you might not need the glass/acrylic, could leave it "open air" :thinking:

 

[CDBEAM777]

A thought anyways??? :thinking:


Maybe just one "shield" that slides up and covers the optics and not rotating to cover the optics?? That way if 180 degree won't cover the optics it could be made wider?

Edit, with the shield that slid up from the bottom you might not need the glass/acrylic, could leave it "open air" :thinking:

Sorry...we do not have enough lateral room to accomplish a " slide up/slide down " cover....must be a rotating construct.

CDBEAM :undecided: