Clear Canopy issues and possible solutions

[Encap]

Will be interesting to see how it turns out visually and how well the idea works functionally in the real world, for sure.

How do plan on mounting/fixing/attaching the outer tube with the acrylic section to the inner section so that the assembly is long term durable and strong, operates smoothly with the right amount of drag, does not leak any light unless the window is open, and does not cause any friction between the inner and outer pieces nor scratch up the acrylic over time?

I would guess the acrylic piece would need to be mounted on all 4 sides like a port---set into the outer tube cut away to accept it with the Al outer tube going 1/2" beyond the acrylic "window" on each side---then you could run the bearings of whatever types 360 degrees inside the metal ends of the outer tube or some such thing---have not really thought about it much.

Good luck with it. Looking forward to pictures of the finished piece and what your solutions are to make it trouble free and functional.

 

[CDBEAM777]

I'd swear that's from an old B movie. Can't remember which one, but nice find. :yh:

Yikes !! The movie Gort was in..." The Day the Earth Stood Still "...The Original 1951 Classic !!!...See

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) - IMDb

NOT the lame and POS remake....The original...which was an absolute Classic !!!!

Watch it !! And you will see, what is likely the first special efx of a Laser....not that Directed Energy weapons were born in that movie !!! Nikola Telsa get the credit for that !!

CDBEAM

 

[paul1598419]

Thanks, I knew I've seen it, just couldn't put a name to it. Of course, there were no lasers back then, but like you said FX.

 

[CDBEAM777]

Will be interesting to see how it turns out visually and how well the idea works functionally in the real world, for sure.

How do plan on mounting/fixing/attaching the outer tube with the acrylic section to the inner section so that the assembly is long term durable and strong, operates smoothly with the right amount of drag, does not leak any light unless the window is open, and does not cause any friction between the inner and outer pieces nor scratch up the acrylic over time?

Well....As previously noted...I believe a thin application of clear epoxy should secure the Aluminum tube to the Acrylic tube. Achieving the right amount of drag will be challenging !! My thought is to keep the Acrylic section at a very, very slight larger ID than the Aluminum component it is covering....perhaps 0.025mm ....so that ID facia will not drag....and therefore will not scratch.

As far as leaking light....again....if the design angles are realized in the working prototype....then....all light will be blocked !

As far as achieving the proper drag....the stop bolt with Nylon washer should be able to be adjusted to arrive at the correct amount of drag.

I would guess the acrylic piece would need to be mounted on all 4 sides like a port---set into the outer tube cut away to accept it with the Al outer tube going 1/2" beyond the acrylic "window" on each side---then you could run the bearings of whatever types 360 degrees inside the metal ends of the outer tube or some such thing---have not realy thought about it much.

I have thought much about it. No....a full perimeter inlay is not necessary and I think would be less aesthetic. A bearing race I think is also overkill .... as this in not an axle shaft....just a cover which will be rotated to a limited # of times

Good luck with it. Looking forward to pictures of the finished piece and what your solutions are to make it trouble free and functional.

OK...ALL this is experimental. Will the first iteration be as functional as needed....Who knows !!! Will the first iteration be trouble free...Who knows !!!

One thing I do know....THIS is the first experiment....and the first iteration of a window containing shroud for a Hand Held build. I will surly need luck and all my skill's as a machinist....to do it perfect....the first time...Maybe I will....Maybe I will not.....It matters not !! I will have fun and satisfaction in the attempt !!

If the concept is flawed....well...OK...So it goes....these flaws will present....and we will learn...an use the lessons learned to improve the second iteration. When possible, I try to take the most simple path...and aim high...and most important....enjoy the ride !!!

Beam Out

Added note: Endcap...My response above is not meant to be defensive. Your design concerns are well taken. I too have these and other concerns with this design. All engineering solutions are a compromise...and this project, although simple at first examination....has many aspects and compromises.

 

[Encap]

OK...ALL this is experimental. Will the first iteration be as functional as needed....Who knows !!! Will the first iteration be trouble free...Who knows !!!

Beam Out

Added note: Encap...My response above is not meant to be defensive. Your design concerns are well taken. I too have these and other concerns with this design. All engineering solutions are a compromise...and this project, although simple at first examination....has many aspects and compromises.

Give it a shot--nothing ventured, nothing gained----you learn, try different solutions, and improve as you go.
Is a nice idea just not as simple as imagination might lead you to believe--nothing ever is.

Good luck with it.

 

[Alaskan]

CDBEAM, you must love the creative process as well as lasers and optics to be willing to do projects like this for people! I know exactly what you are up to, you are getting people to pay for your play! Only thing is, you don't keep it. I guess it's a win-win in that regard, but kissing your lovely creations bye when you ship them out must be sad.

 

[CDBEAM777]

CDBEAM, you must love the creative process as well as lasers and optics to be willing to do projects like this for people! I know exactly what you are up to, you are getting people to pay for your play! Only thing is, you don't keep it. I guess it's a win-win in that regard, but kissing your lovely creations bye when you ship them out must be sad.

Yes....It is indeed a bitter sweet day....when I send out a completed
commission build !...But...then...I get to keep;

* Lessons learned during the build
* Any special machining tools purchased and justified by the build
* Build profit
* My international reputation as a "Man of Mystery" and unsurpassed warped sense of humor :san:

I have tried to build two...at the same time....to avoid this sadness....but...alas...something always comes up to use the funds... And......I have been getting busier and busier....and have SOOOOoo
many projects stacked up....I just do not have time.

I will say that the dual beam output of the Cyan Cannon...is of such a attractive color....this build...hmmm....may get "lost in shipping" JK

Thanx for the words of inspiration !

CDBEAM

 

[BobMc]

Any chance we can get a couple of beam shots of the Cyan Cannon just to tease us a little bit?? Been :drool: since I first heard about the build. Sure would love to take a peak?

 

[Alaskan]

I'd love to see that too, a night beam shot into the sky!

 

[CDBEAM777]

Any chance we can get a couple of beam shots of the Cyan Cannon just to tease us a little bit?? Been :drool: since I first heard about the build. Sure would love to take a peak?

Sorry...NO beam shots yet....installing drivers now....so build remains tethered to my work bench power supplies

Hopefully this week will get the drivers on....and we can take her for a quick poke into the night sky.

In the meantime...see the attached pic of the " Combiner Light Engine ",.... throttled at 500mA Green and 500 mA Blue. Final optics aligned....ready for the drivers, Host, and a Gort Canopy.

:san::san::san:

CDBEAM

 

[paul1598419]

Hey, Gort. It's hard to tell exactly what you have in there, but do I see some cylindrical lenses too? If so, are you concerned about the refractive index for these different wavelengths? Must be using multi mode diodes to get the power you need.

 

[BobMc]

Well, it was a hope. But that posted pics is definitely a little tease! That is an awesome looking color. Can't wait to see a beam of that shooting up in the night sky.

 

[CDBEAM777]

Hey, Gort. It's hard to tell exactly what you have in there, but do I see some cylindrical lenses too? If so, are you concerned about the refractive index for these different wavelengths? Must be using multi mode diodes to get the power you need.

Well....the optimal would be to correct with two (2) sets of Cylindrical's.....Then...combine.....But....no room.....and...this set up works very, very nice.

The Green divergence is greater than the Blue.....at the Far Field....not by much.

NDG7475 combined with NUBM07E....both Multi mode....

Night Beam shots will be coming soon !

Later,
CDBEAM

 

[paul1598419]

Cool! I'll wait for the beam shots. :yh: