driver solutions for casio A141 array as etcher/cutterer

[Eddie H]

Hi, I've checked through search but I'm afraid my knowledge base is seriously lacking when it comes to driving methods for A/M140 diodes.
I have the array from an XJ-A141 projector which has 6x A140 diodes and 18x M140 diodes in 4 series circuits of 6 diodes each. My maths is atrocious but I'm trying to figure out how to power these. My options are 4x driver circuits (as in the original projector), 1 driver circuit feeding all 4 clusters, or simply a driver per diode (easier mathematically, more fiddly soldering and complexity of parts). I wish to keep the assembly intact as much as possible, and I did see a chap simply feed the 4 circuits from the diodes on the ribbon, though I've no idea what V/A he supplied them with, he simply stated he "hooked them up to a 32 or 36V 8A desktop supply". My electronics knowledge fails me when it comes to the math side of things and I don't want to release the smoke from any of the diodes (I've always found it impossible to put the smoke back in). Any advice on simplest/cheapest/safest way to feed the monster without blowing anything up!
Any and all advice/criticism are gratefully accepted and appreciated as I fear I'lI overlook a decimal point or something and nuke the whole shebang! Thanks in advance guys

 

[Light superglue]

Hi, Eddie

I do not think that you could make a good cutter fom A-141 array because the knife-edged beams which come out of this light engine are not very parallel.

However, couple of years ago I have burnt wood and other things when putting in the focus of the lens which was built in.

I connected its 4 series of 6LD in parallel and used 6A current for the total. Voltage was 27V. As constant current driver I have used BST400 from aliexpress but 27V you could also get from an ordinary bench power supply such as 3010 sold on ebay/ali.

The tricky thing was to find out polarity (I had to dismantle it all, then combine again) and to solder wires to ribbon: carefully scratch away the protective layer, clean Cu conductive layer with ZnCl2 solution, then solder wires to it.

I can make a picture how it was connected if I can find this thing again.

 

[Eddie H]

Hi, Eddie

I do not think that you could make a good cutter fom A-141 array because the knife-edged beams which come out of this light engine are not very parallel.

However, couple of years ago I have burnt wood and other things when putting in the focus of the lens which was built in.

I connected its 4 series of 6LD in parallel and used 6A current for the total. Voltage was 27V. As constant current driver I have used BST400 from aliexpress but 27V you could also get from an ordinary bench power supply such as 3010 sold on ebay/ali.

The tricky thing was to find out polarity (I had to dismantle it all, then combine again) and to solder wires to ribbon: carefully scratch away the protective layer, clean Cu conductive layer with ZnCl2 solution, then solder wires to it.

I can make a picture how it was connected if I can find this thing again.

Excellent info, cheers very much! That's exactly what I needed to know. I'm not really fussed about using it as a cutter tbh, more just for etching designs into things.
I do get that you can't perfectly merge the beams into a single high wattage straight beam so I understand why it would make a poor cutter, I'm really more interested in just focusing the beams to draw on pebbles and such. As much as I'd love an Akira style laser rifle I get that this isn't the way, but I would like to have a few pebbles with pictures burned into them.
My other project goal is to make a magnetron pumped CO2 slab laser, I'm drowning in theory on that one! Maybe some time in the next 5 years I'll get to the build stage but I'm in no rush.
Thanks for the info, you guys on LPF are really an awesome collective, looking forward to the day I can contribute in a meaningful way.

P.S. I think it's my lucky day, my mate just let the smoke out of his camper van inverter so I have a nice box of soot and mosfets! Should have this thing running tonight if I can find my stash of pots!

I've just realised my automistake decided to remove the word "etcher" from the thread title, I've fixed it now.

 

[Light superglue]

This is what I have left from this array. I dismantled it afterwards to take front surface mirrors.
But here you at last can see how the polarities were oriented in the ribbon.

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi,
Just make sure your leads are correct before being charged with the PSU. On the PSU end..
Rich

 

[Eddie H]

Excellent! Thanks I've still not got anything done with it yet as I'm missing a few supplies and thanks to CV2 I can't just nip to the shop

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi,
If im not mistaken all the black wires go together and all the red wires go together . You have Black and red mixed together you need to separate the polarities before using the PSU.
Rich

 

[Light superglue]

No, do not be confused by colours.
It was 2 pieces of the 4 coloured wires cable for color LEDs, which were easy to solder together into contacts making them parallel.
One 4 coloured cable was +, another was - in my case.

Yes, better stop receiving things until epidemy is over. Here in Spain it looks that only Fedex/DHL still do deliveries, others no more.

 

[Cyparagon]

I would recommend a balancing resistor on each string. 0.1ohm or something of that nature. I use that plus a standard 0-30V 0-10A lab supply.

Of course, as stated by others, this would be useless as a cutter. However it does make a terrific sky cannon party trick.