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FrozenGate by Avery

Host brainstorming - in 3D

Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
6,252
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Okay so as I am selling mine [practically sold it already] 445nm, I am going for new one, and I thought, why the hell not - get the most unique looking build , that is.

I will most likely pay Bill to machine me this. Well, one variant of this as it's not yet finished.

Now, to cut the chit-chatting.

Host_prototype.jpg

Too much Star Wars?

OK now, this host composes of 5 primary parts.

First two, are heatsink and focus adapter:


As you can see, it's direct pressfit heatsink, and I have this very long focus adapter in which standard 9mm lens will be glued, and on outside it's threaded to make it thread into the heatsink head. I have not yet applied thread map, and knurling map to the outside where you touch it with tips of fingers.
It's long so that more heatsink mass can be achieved.

Now, this gets set-screw fitted at the little extruded rim of heatsink:

Host_DriverTube.jpg


These are same part, just duplicated and turned around so you can see. So, you can see there is a small uhh, how would you call it? Incision?
Two cuts where you can fit your driver board, then glue it in place. I will also make the hole for side-switch and driver board later.
On the other side you can see how there is a narrowing two times.
First one is to fit the battery barrel. Second is to fit a standard 16mm contact board if it's needed. Explained later.

This is finally the battery barrel and the tailswitch with black rubber cap:
Host_batteryTube_clicky.jpg


Now, this is how the battery barrel and driver barrel go together.
The driver barrel is halfed so you can see into inside :

Host_driverBoardfit.jpg


As you can see, the driver board is sandwitched between two metal barrels, and does not require a small brass ring for pressfiting and keeping contact.

I will have exact dimensions later, but I can tell you that driver barrel has 20 mm of space between board and diode, host is made for 1x 18650 cell (you can see two of them compared to host in first picture), will use both tailcap switch and side switch, and will most likely be made of metals used for renders.
That is, aluminum head, brass focus adapter and barrels, aluminum tailcap.

I will get it a few finishing touches tomorrow, and animate it to show you how it's assembled.

I will most likely use a set screw for fitting the battery tube to driver tube, and driver tube to diode tube. No point in having it threaded because securing the driver into the cuts and then threading it will break something.

Also, I will use knurling on the outside of focus adapter, and outside of battery barrel for aesthetics (well, and firmer grip and better feeling when holding this thing), and on the tailcap.

The tailcap should house either a standard 14mm clicky with spring, or it can contain a keylock switch, depends on what will be needed. Personally I'd like 14mm switch as it can be a "primer" to the side clicky , or side momentary, on the driver barrel.

I will consult more with Bill to see if he can make me one of these. Syked about it, too.

Let me know what do you all think of it so far, what changes would you do and what would you make it.



EDIT - Changes to exterior, final design... I think.
Hot_NewFocusAdapter.jpg


Host_driverBarrel_new.jpg


Host_batteryBarrel_New.jpg


Host_new_Final.jpg


And some lasing:
Host_Lasers-1.jpg


Lasers_All_2.jpg


Lasers_all_fixed.jpg


More to come, and I mean, actual animation of entire machining and assembly. And lasing. And stuff.

Moar updates:
Host_keylock_bloom.jpg


Host_Keylockswitch.jpg


Host_tailcap_detail.jpg


Blue_laser.jpg
 
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Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

nice work man :gj:
really unique look!
and yea it does remind me a bit of a lightsaber :p

only things i would change: ( personall pref ) is to chamfer the edges of the tail piece, and the driver compartment seems big enough to also put a led power indicator next to the side clicky?

btw really looks like you have been verry busy with 3dsm good to see :) i didnt have to much time for 3dsm this week unfortunatly:(
 
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Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

nice work man :gj:
really unique look!
and yea it does remind me a bit of a lightsaber :p

only things i would change: ( personall pref ) is to chamfer the edges of the tail piece, and the driver compartment seems big enough to also put a led power indicator next to the side clicky?

btw really looks like you have been verry busy with 3dsm good to see :) i didnt have to much time for 3dsm this week unfortunatly:(
As soon as I saw who replied here, in my CP, I was like "Wow this guy has a Spider-Sense for 3D or something" :p

I was actually more worried about inner workings that I kind of disregarded the outside appearance and yeah, it actually turned out a lightsaber looking host.

I'm sorry, do what to the tailpiece?

LED indicator ? Hmm, about that, I was actually kind of hoping to put a big high power resistor in a tailcap, and put an LED in parralel, and have the LED shine through the common green GITD switch cap. However that would be fairly complicated. It's an idea, though.

I will model the driver will all it's components soon, if not tomorrow then next weekend. Unfortunately for me too, I have a first wave of tests at college so I'll most likely not be able to fire up the 3DS Max through the week.
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

i was just taking a day look on lpf and i just happen to see this:p but 3D spidy senses would have been cool:D

the tail piece,
uhm how do i say this..
you made the edges of it 90º straight edges, and what i tried to say was that i would make those like 45º so they dont look to sharp.
hope im more clear now :o

cool idea about the led in tailcap, it sound kinda fragile and hard to make.
but if it work it would be pretty sweet:D

you could also try to find one of those clicky switches with build-in led bit more expencive though
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

i was just taking a day look on lpf and i just happen to see this:p but 3D spidy senses would have been cool:D

the tail piece,
uhm how do i say this..
you made the edges of it 90º straight edges, and what i tried to say was that i would make those like 45º so they dont look to sharp.
hope im more clear now :o

cool idea about the led in tailcap, it sound kinda fragile and hard to make.
but if it work it would be pretty sweet:D

you could also try to find one of those clicky switches with build-in led bit more expencive though
Switches with LEDs prebuilt? I am sure they did not predict them to be used with around 1.2 A of current flow...

I think I got your point about tailpiece. I will get around on it tomorrow, as with the rest of finishing touches.
I did the same thing where battery barrel and driver barrel touch.


Hmm, then again, I always wanted a laser with keyswitch.

Since I'm planning to go with 445nm, I think it would be for the best to go for keyswitch. After all, can't be too careful.
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

Switches with LEDs prebuilt? I am sure they did not predict them to be used with around 1.2 A of current flow...

I think I got your point about tailpiece. I will get around on it tomorrow, as with the rest of finishing touches.
I did the same thing where battery barrel and driver barrel touch.


Hmm, then again, I always wanted a laser with keyswitch.

Since I'm planning to go with 445nm, I think it would be for the best to go for keyswitch. After all, can't be too careful.

i do think a key switch would be the best option.

about those switches with leds, ill go take a look perhaps i could get some..perhaps :p ill also ask what the max A for those would be.
a friend of mine instals electric panels wich uses those switches occasionally

edit* gave my friend a call,
good news is he said those switches would last up to 8A, bad news he doesnt use them anymore the company he got them from had some financial problems a while ago and was forced to end the company.. so no more nice switches :( he said he had some simple plastic black ones he uses atm but i told him he could keep those for his own crap :p
 
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Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

edit* gave my friend a call,
good news is he said those switches would last up to 8A, bad news he doesnt use them anymore the company he got them from had some financial problems a while ago and was forced to end the company.. so no more nice switches :( he said he had some simple plastic black ones he uses atm but i told him he could keep those for his own crap :p
Do-It-Yourself For-The-Win , dude!

However for now, I must be finishing that host design.
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

You should definitely go with the key switch as you are putting this much design effort into it. +1 for another beautiful design!
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

You should definitely go with the key switch as you are putting this much design effort into it. +1 for another beautiful design!
Why thank you, kind sir.

I wanted to upload one at the time, but here's the new focus ring:
Hot_NewFocusAdapter.jpg


Nao, to move into driver barrel side button, battery barrel knurling, tailcap knurling ... and making the keylock switch.
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

Funny, I was thinking of a host that would look strikingly similar today! Great job on the modeling! I wish they had that program for Macs....Damn you Steve Jobs!
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

Funny, I was thinking of a host that would look strikingly similar today! Great job on the modeling! I wish they had that program for Macs....Damn you Steve Jobs!
I could be mistaken but I think I DID actually saw a download version for Macs...

3ds Max - 3D Modeling, Animation, and Rendering Software - Autodesk

Then, software trial download:
Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2011 - Free Trial Download

Fill out the form and down there at the bottom you can see "Macintosh" as operating system.

Enjoy!
If in need of help, I'm always here.

EDIT - The new , side button driver barrel:
Host_driverBarrel_new.jpg


Hmm... could have made the hole little bigger , and switch little larger , this way you'd use a fingernail to push it ...

Well, it's still WIP.
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

It only works on a Mac if you are running a Windows OS :undecided: and I haven't gotten around to bootcamping this thing. Starting to regret spending 2200 dollars on a nice aluminum laptop. With nice referring mainly to the exterior. Only really good part is the UI and the lack of viruses out there aimed at Macs.
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

It only works on a Mac if you are running a Windows OS :undecided: and I haven't gotten around to bootcamping this thing. Starting to regret spending 2200 dollars on a nice aluminum laptop. With nice referring mainly to the exterior. Only really good part is the UI and the lack of viruses out there aimed at Macs.
Well, you can always do dual boot. How much hard drive space do you have ?


In the mean time, here is finished host design ...

I dreamed something like this for long time. I can finally see it, visualize it. In a while, I'll be holding it and shining it around.

New battery barrel:
Host_batteryBarrel_New.jpg


New host , tailcap knurled and threaded, side button enlarged:
Host_new_Final.jpg


Trying out depth of field effect:
Host_New_Final_DOF.jpg


Now, just to clone them a few times and add volumetric light ... :D
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

Okay!

Host_Lasers-1.jpg


For whatever reason, it refused to draw any lights until I disabled shadows... as if something was blocking the laser beam but the actual light emitter is made a little outside of the focus ring, not inside. O.o

Oh well.

I'll be back shortly with smoke machine turned on and some beamshotz.
 
Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

Your host looks very nice. I actually like it without the knurling though.

For the circuit board how would you make that slit cut on the inside of a host?

I have been trying to think of a design too. I want everything to be sandwiched together when you screw the peices together so that there is no press fitting of components (circuit board, diode, etc). Ideally I want it to be modular so that you could plug in a new driver module, diode module, or lense module just by unscrewing the old module and screwing another in. I liked some of the ideas from Pontiacg5's aixiz stage kit housing enhancements.

p008_1_00.png


Aixiz "Stage" Kit
 
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Re: Host brainstoriming - in 3D

Your host looks very nice. I actually like it without the knurling though.

For the circuit board how would you make that slit cut on the inside of a host?



Aixiz "Stage" Kit


About that slit cuts... No idea yet, the would probably be hand made after the machining. They also go all the way down to the 16mm intrusion where contact PCB is, just in case it ever needs to be pried out.

They are not that important though, and host can be very well made without them, they are only fancy addition.

EDIT, also , I have made beamshotz and everything, however I'm packin' and going back to the dorm, I will show you all folks how that looks like in roughly 3 hours.
 


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