Meatball
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Some people expressed an interest in a short tutorial for my Micro- Labby laser, showcased here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/tiny-micro-labby-showcase-47132.html
As mentioned in the thread, this build is a very quick and easy build that is not only very functional, but quite eye popping.
To Start off, you will need:
Laser Module: Aixis- Diode pressed, or any reasonably sized green module
Driver: Easiest to use for this one is the LM317 based DDL driver. Furthermore, the rckstr micro driver, and the flexdrive will work just fine as well.
Power Supply: This build is great for portability, but its still a Lab laser. Batteries will not be able to fit in this project. Find a DC power supply that will supply the necessary voltage and current load to the laser driver.
Heatsinks: Two are recommended for this particular build because of it's setup. One hugs the Aixis head, which sits on the outside of the enclosure, and the other should sit inside the enclosure, providing extra surface area for heat to spread to. Both heatsinks must be able to be tightly secured onto the laser module.
Switch: All you need for this build is a simple toggle on/off switch. The smaller in size, and the more user- friendly for panel mounting, the better.
The enclosure: This entire build is built around this small solid piece of aluminum. The case comes from a small audio output converter made by Stinger. It can be found on Ebay or amazon for no more than $15. If you can't find one, I can get one here in town and send it off to you for no profit.
Amazon.com: Stinger SGN11 Fixed Line Output Converter: Electronics
Tools needed: Medium to Large Philips screwdriver, ~25 watt soldering iron, a drill equipped with a stepper drill bit, and any wire cutters/strippers will do.
From here, it's quite simple!
First, disassemble the output converter. All it takes is 8 readily accessible screws. When the screws are out, the converter's circuit board (It's nothing more than a few resistors) will slide right out of the grooves in the side of the enclosure. All you need are the screws (8), the enclosure, and the two black side panels. See? Easy.
There is a large black decal that sits on top of the enclosure. It can be pried up with a razor blade and then peeled off. Use some Goo-Gone to remove the sticky residue on top.
When it's all cleaned up, it should look like this:
Now the hardest part...
There are two holes to drill. One in each side panel.
For the panel that you designate as the "front" panel, you will need a circular hole that fits your laser module. For aiXis modules, you will need a hole that is 11.75mm in diameter. No ifs, ands or buts about it... 11.75mm. This is so that the rest of the build is easy as well!
"Hole" not drawn to scale
Use a stepper drill bit to get the perfect diameter of the hole.
The hole must be 11.75mm in diameter so that the threads of the aiXis head will fit through, but the rest of the module will not. When you allow the threads to poke through the hole, you turn your laser module into a panel mount laser. The rear half of the aiXis module will screw into the front head, keeping it secure for when you slide on the heatsinks. The heatsinks will then "pinch" the module into a solid hold. See photos for details.
The only other hole to be made, is for the panel- mount switch that needs to be mounted somewhere on the back panel. The hole size, depends of the switch size and whatnot.
These are the main details to getting the build going. The rest of the build involves setting, installing the driver, and mounting a switch of some kind (The use for the second hole in the rear side panel).
The provided pictures will give you every other angle of how it is put together. It's very simple, yes?
This should get anyone who's interested, started on a great little laser!
PM me with any detailed questions..
Heatsink Mounting
PCB Mounting
Set Screws
Switch Mount, Power Entry
There are many more possibilities with this "Micro Labby" design. There is only one in existence so far (PHR), so I challenge you all to come out with reds, 12Xs, and even green Micro Labbys! Have fun!
-Tyler
http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/tiny-micro-labby-showcase-47132.html
As mentioned in the thread, this build is a very quick and easy build that is not only very functional, but quite eye popping.
To Start off, you will need:
Laser Module: Aixis- Diode pressed, or any reasonably sized green module
Driver: Easiest to use for this one is the LM317 based DDL driver. Furthermore, the rckstr micro driver, and the flexdrive will work just fine as well.
Power Supply: This build is great for portability, but its still a Lab laser. Batteries will not be able to fit in this project. Find a DC power supply that will supply the necessary voltage and current load to the laser driver.
Heatsinks: Two are recommended for this particular build because of it's setup. One hugs the Aixis head, which sits on the outside of the enclosure, and the other should sit inside the enclosure, providing extra surface area for heat to spread to. Both heatsinks must be able to be tightly secured onto the laser module.
Switch: All you need for this build is a simple toggle on/off switch. The smaller in size, and the more user- friendly for panel mounting, the better.
The enclosure: This entire build is built around this small solid piece of aluminum. The case comes from a small audio output converter made by Stinger. It can be found on Ebay or amazon for no more than $15. If you can't find one, I can get one here in town and send it off to you for no profit.
Amazon.com: Stinger SGN11 Fixed Line Output Converter: Electronics
Tools needed: Medium to Large Philips screwdriver, ~25 watt soldering iron, a drill equipped with a stepper drill bit, and any wire cutters/strippers will do.
From here, it's quite simple!
First, disassemble the output converter. All it takes is 8 readily accessible screws. When the screws are out, the converter's circuit board (It's nothing more than a few resistors) will slide right out of the grooves in the side of the enclosure. All you need are the screws (8), the enclosure, and the two black side panels. See? Easy.
There is a large black decal that sits on top of the enclosure. It can be pried up with a razor blade and then peeled off. Use some Goo-Gone to remove the sticky residue on top.
When it's all cleaned up, it should look like this:
Now the hardest part...
There are two holes to drill. One in each side panel.
For the panel that you designate as the "front" panel, you will need a circular hole that fits your laser module. For aiXis modules, you will need a hole that is 11.75mm in diameter. No ifs, ands or buts about it... 11.75mm. This is so that the rest of the build is easy as well!
"Hole" not drawn to scale
Use a stepper drill bit to get the perfect diameter of the hole.
The hole must be 11.75mm in diameter so that the threads of the aiXis head will fit through, but the rest of the module will not. When you allow the threads to poke through the hole, you turn your laser module into a panel mount laser. The rear half of the aiXis module will screw into the front head, keeping it secure for when you slide on the heatsinks. The heatsinks will then "pinch" the module into a solid hold. See photos for details.
The only other hole to be made, is for the panel- mount switch that needs to be mounted somewhere on the back panel. The hole size, depends of the switch size and whatnot.
These are the main details to getting the build going. The rest of the build involves setting, installing the driver, and mounting a switch of some kind (The use for the second hole in the rear side panel).
The provided pictures will give you every other angle of how it is put together. It's very simple, yes?
This should get anyone who's interested, started on a great little laser!
PM me with any detailed questions..
Heatsink Mounting
PCB Mounting
Set Screws
Switch Mount, Power Entry
There are many more possibilities with this "Micro Labby" design. There is only one in existence so far (PHR), so I challenge you all to come out with reds, 12Xs, and even green Micro Labbys! Have fun!
-Tyler
