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FrozenGate by Avery

Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea! :-)

Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Focusing this thing is a nightmare :-[   I very rapidly disconnected the centre LD as I could not get it to point straight, after that the greatest number of beams I could bring together was 5 out of 7....I played with it for a couple of hours to no avail.....

Like with many prototypes it has served its purpose. I can report that:-

1)  It would probably be better to start with just 4 modules, it would still give increased burning power but would be much easier to make.

2) The major problem with this has been the misalignment of the LD's in the modules (they were cheapo ones so not really surprised). Sort out this problem and the project is eminently do-able .

3) For speed (and lack of other material) I used plastic for the holder....It was just not stable enough for the accuracy required.......

I have decided to halt my spending on laser bits for a while (I added up my spending over the last 3 months and was horrified :o) so I will hand this on to others to take further (step up to the plate Dan :)) I have a number of other laser projects under way that require little cash, but lots of time, to complete I will concentrate on them for now.....I will no doubt revisit the death star at some time in the future.

Regards rog8811
 





Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Aww.... Rog

You've done some great work. But I can see what you mean.

I was a bit starled by some of the laser withdrawals on my account to! Goggles, Blu-Rays, Mag Lites, GB Diodes, etc. etc. It all adds up! And postage to the UK is a killer to!

I worked out that JUST for the diodes + Aixiz modules its going to cost me ($135), which I don't have spare (yet!) So I think if I can get it to work succsessfuly with 3, I might have to do a modular thing, like start off with 3 but with space for 6+ then add 1 a month etc. Either that, or I'll have to start donations for the modules / diodes. That's not even factored ANY of the other parts and materials!!!! :o


Anyway, I'm waiting on my 3 I've already ordered.

@Rog:
What do you think of the laser array design posted above?
Do you think it will work?
It's large, (looking about a 100mm diameter tube to fit it all in) but it offeres fine adjustment and stability of individual modules.

I'll keep you all posted.
I don't have the time (and money) to complete this in a week. I'll just keep chipping away at it.

...The death ray will live!...
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

@ Dan, I think expandable is the way to go, start with 3 if it works it will be a great burner:)

I used plastic drain pipe for my outer ring with adjuster screws, pretty much as per your drawing, as long as your springs are not too strong it will work fine. I wish you luck with this, my experiments have convinced me that it is possible but with an up and coming holiday, sons birthday and christmas looming I will wait for my Blues from DDL rather than spending on red LD's ( Sorry Senkat :))

Good luck with it Dan:)

Regards rog8811
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Cheers Rog!

I'll keep at it!
I too can't wait for my Blu-Ray to arrive! + My DX True 30mw Green is due in the next week or 2.

It's going to be a fun few months!
Also, if you ever need anything machining on my CNC, just get in touch!


Dan :-)
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

danielbriggs said:
@ O.R.: I love that idea, it's really quite possible. I'm just currently thinking of what material would be a good candidate. I'm currently thinking thick rubber, say 8-10mm sheet, with a 50mm dia? I'm sure you could try a tennis ball (through a bandsaw) as that is about the right thickness, but it might be too stiff to use. BUT most people have some lying around to mess with.
Dan :-)
Click to expand...

 In my fantasy, the petal disk is a flat piece of spring steel, perhaps 1/3 - 1/2mm thick - I don't know anything about spring steel math yet.  Basically, six regions maybe 1/4" long have to bend hard enough that the modules pivot inward (what, maybe 5 degrees?) when the disk is pulled back with the pull from, say, 2 fingers on a trigger.  It will need to be more dimensionally stable than rubber in order to resist gravity and/or being waved around.

 I have a suspicion several gauges of steel will have to be tried, unless someone out there knows how to solve for this sort of thing.  I don't want to do any filing between the petals except for final aiming.

 Based on the module lens aim problem, I may use end caps for 5/8" copper pipe or some such, on top of the external flex limiter washers, and mount the modules in them with heat-setting clay so their final positions can be aimed by hand and frozen in place. (Bear in mind, I have never yet seen an aixiz module in person.)

 That's my story, we'll see if I can stick to it.  =)
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Hey everyone!

Just a quick update: I'm going on holiday for a week, and WON'T have internet access :'(
So I won't be able to make or post anything. I'll keep thinking up ideas and drawing them out for you though.

I'm just letting you all know in case you think I've given up on this project (which I haven't!)
Hopefuly I'll have a near final design in the next few weeks, then I can order the materials and start manufactuting it!

@ Rex: Have you looked at a smart metal called memoflex (I think) it's an alloy that remebers it's shape after it's bent. - Might be useful???


Dan :-)
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Right.... I'm back! (With a vengeance!!!)

I'm going to push this project now as I need results!!!!  ;D


Anyway:

I've planned out a list of materials I need, and I've started getting all the bits and bobs in, but to tell the truth, I can't afford much more  :'(

By buying everything from scratch, the project is coming in at around £160. However, I have some bits now, so only need £120. But I'm sure this could be lowered alot by saving on tools here and there.

I've spent over £40 on some aluminium, 3x GB diodes and 5x Aixiz housings. Stupidly, as I should have ordered 6 or 7 housings. I ordered as many diodes as I could afford. But I really can't scrape the £25 (£55) for the last 3. I'm still at school after all, and have no real income, so it's not like I can wait until the end of the month.

The diodes ARE the most important thing, and the rarest, as the GB is kind of drying up. And I can get the aluminium any time.

Also I don't have any Fine Pitch Taps and Dies, so I would need to order some, as ultimatly FP threads would pay off buckets in the future, (adjusting). Alternatively, I could save £30 if someone had any I could borrow for a week or two???


What I'm trying to say is, can anybody contribute a little towards the cost of project? I'm sure if a few people chipped in, I could buy those remaining LD's and then get the aluminium bit by bit.

I've attached a list of materials that I'm going to buy, but if anyone has some spare lying around that matches exactly on the list and are willing to donate, I'd be grateful!

Also, if there are any contributers, I could perhaps engrave everyones name onto the case with my CNC. Then you would be etched into metal as a thank you for contributing to the building of the greatest death ray ever!
(+If it's powerful enough - I'll also write your name on the moon!)  :D


Just for the skeptics, I'm not a scammer or anything, I genuinely WANT/NEED to build this.
I would be able to fund it all myself, but that's going to slow things down alot! It might be months before I get the parts together. Rog has prooved the technology, so to speak, I'm going to push it to the final product!

Also, I'm planning to post a barrage of photos of it's manufacture covering every aspect.    8-)
 

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Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Also, forgot to mention the latest progress on the project:

I've decided NOT to go down the manufactured torch route, due to the way it constrains the design.
I'm planning to make the array as per the diagram posted at the top, and mount that in a round tube (as the head). Then make another tube and screw it into that. Then you'll have a "torch" case!

I'd like to fit a rechargeable battery in this, kind of like an RPL, so I could "dock" the laser in a charger to "refuel". But I'd need some advice on how to (electronically) go about this. I'm happy with the hardware/docking side of things.

I'm undecided whether to place a final lens at the end of the array assembly, AFAIK it would be better without, as there is less refraction, but I think that's going to have to be an afterthought + trial and error.


Electronics:

Ok, I'm not the best as electronics, so I really will need some help on this one.
I know what I'd like the circuit to do though ;D

+ I'd want to be able to turn on and off the laser modules individually, perhaps through a DIP switch?? Maybe at a low power when in positioning mode..... so a faint safe to touch 'dot' is produced.
+ It would be nice if I could fit a rechargeable system in there.
+ It MUST produce a smooth current and possibly smooth voltage output for all the LD's. LM317's????
+ I'd like to make a PCB, again, not a problem making it, but I need to know which tracks to etch!!!!!
+ Keyswitch..... obviously
+ LED indicator?
+ Perhaps if possible a timer shut off i.e. to protect the diodes from being left on too long and burning out, also preserves the duty cycle, what ever it will be....

I know I can't just go and buy something like this, so if anyone knows anything to point me in the right direction, or is good with electronics, DDL perhaps :D


Thanks for your continued support!

Dan :-)
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Hi Dan, welcome back, I am afraid there is nothing on your list that I can help you with.

If you want to bounce any ideas I would be pleased to input what I can.

Regards rog8811
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Thanks Rog,

There was one thing I forgot to mention:

Does anyone have some spare 5mW Aixiz module drivers? i.e. the ones that everyone is ripping out and replacing with GB diodes?

It's just that I bought some housings from Greg, and didn't realise they are supplied without the cheap diodes, just the housing. I was counting on using them to assemble the array for positioning. I've got 1 somewhere from my 1st DIY red, But I'll need another 5, anyone?

I'm talking about the things with the red/black wires and the little green circuit board attached + the crap LD

Ta!


Dan :-)
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

I've got 2 but was going to put them in my sons nerf gun. it has a 1mw laser diode in it for a sighting built into the pointer. Weak as heck little thing. I think it also has to do with the difraction grating it's going through. circle with a dot in the center. Neat little idea though it's adjustable with a lens on the outside of the gun.
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

Cheers Kenom,

But it's OK, stick them on your son's nerf gun. I'm only going to use the low power ones for a few weeks and then rip 'em out in place of burners! :)

I guess I'll have to buy some more from Aixiz on eBay. That's another £17.50!!!!.....


Dan :-)
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

actually I got mine from DX and it only took 3 weeks to get em. same price and great shipping. wouldn't use aixiz anymore. obviously he's just not up to the demand.
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

The only reason I'm staying with Aixiz is for consistency. I've already got about $25 worth of Aixiz modules, and I want this to be symmetrical. (Even though the DX may be cheaper and better) I should have looked on there a few weeks back to stop this headache!)

Dan :-)
 
Re: Hex DIY Red Laser - The ULTIMATE burner idea!

OK, I've been busy and waiting on a few parts, as to test a few ideas out. PLEASE let me know your thoughts on any of these ideas, criticisms + suggestions etc. (As I've only thought them up - so theoretical!)

1.) Mechanical Focus of Individual Laser Modules - This WILL work, but will be very tedious to operate and align correctly every time the focus changes. So if the other ideas don't work, I WILL go down this route - I've started to buy some bits and bobs for this!

2.) Mirrored Cone - Rog has kindly tested this, and it appears to work, however, I don't have the facility to easily make a faceted, highly accurate cone, so I might have to leave this idea for "if all else fails"

3.) Lens Idea - I've got some small lenses, and experimented with a couple. The acrylic lenses are rubbish, the glass are MUCH better. A convex - convex (after focal point) seem to work better than a convex concave (before focal point) but I need to order some more glass lenses and Aixis modules to check with more beams. However this is looking good for a 'static' system.

4.) ** New Idea **
Using a parabolic mirror and a collimating lens, I think a beam could be achieved by shining an array of diodes with the central one missing (so the beam can pass out)

5.) Senkat suggested a corner cube retroreflector idea - I'm still mulling over this one and the parabola, as I'm not up on my optics, but I'm learning more and more every day!


I've also ordered all my diodes! I have 3, and I ordered the last 3 on the SenKat sale day, but I've popped one since, so I have 5 :-(

I'm getting there slowly!!


Thanks,

Dan :-)
 
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