Upgrading laser diode in "stage laser" (newb here)

[bennett326]

I assumed so, but what things are required like shutter, key lock e.tc anywhere I can find a list ?

 

[ElektroFreak]

I assumed so, but what things are required like shutter, key lock e.tc anywhere I can find a list ?

There isn't really a detailed list provided by the CDRH, at least not that I've seen. You can glean the info you seek by reading the actual regs here: CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21

IIRC for projectors what is needed is:

1) Correct labeling on the projector housing and at the aperture, detailing the hazard level present. Basically a standard "laser warning" label will work, but it needs to include wavelengths and total max power output. There should also be a warning to avoid exposure.

2) A case interlock that kills power to all laser systems when the case is open (unless bypassed by a qualified operator for maintenance).

3) A keylock switch to prevent activation of the laser unless the key is present.

4) A shutter or instant kill switch to prevent output in the event of an emergency or other safety system failure.

5) A front panel emission indicator light, consisting of an LED or other lamp on the front of the projector near the aperture. This serves as a warning that laser emission is occurring or about to occur.

I'm at work right now, so I think that's all that's required, but it's been awhile for me so things might have changed. I'll check over my paperwork and gear when I get home to see if that's all or if I missed something.

 

[bennett326]

so for the interlock to you use a momentary pressure switch like in the cr@pio projector or do you guys have other ways?

 

[ElektroFreak]

Those work perfectly. I harvested a bunch from some Dell computers that also work great.. One thing I found out pretty fast is that how you arrange things isn't crucial as long as the requirements are met. For us we started out with 2 ar/kr laser projectors that had already been varianced and we just gutted the old stuff (tubes were up to air and they lacked scanning systems) and added solid-state or diode lasers and Chinese scan sets, and resubmitted new product reports detailing the changes made. We got variances without issue since these systems already had all of the necessary items already built in and had already been varianced in the past by one of the partners in our company. Since then we've built 2 more single-color projectors from scratch, but we're still waiting on a response to our product report submission (CDRH is VERY unresponsive lately) for those. For those we just covered the points above and submitted detailed descriptions in the proper areas of the product report form. I've got a nice zip file with all the forms in it that I'll put in my dropbox for you later.

Even amongst people in the industry the regs are often a source of considerable debate. All I can suggest is that you do the best you can to meet the obvious requirements and fill out the forms correctly. Then you wait to hear from the CDRH about whether you "passed". You can also try to contact any local FDA/CDRH office you might have for any assistance they might have, but sometimes even their own people disagree on the finer points. There seems to be some room for interpretation in some cases.

Here's a few more good resources I had forgotten about: http://www.lasercompliance.com/us-regs.htm

Both of these are extremely helpful.

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/medica...onandguidance/guidancedocuments/ucm095304.pdf

Especially the end of this one:

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/GuidanceDocuments/ucm094352.htm

 

[bennett326]

i have one.... but how can it be big enough(power rating) to shut off everything

 

[ElektroFreak]

You could use it to control a relay if you wanted to use it with high-power circuits, but you shouldn't need to do that with laser projectors. Most show lasers have an interlock connection, and the FlexMod does also. You just route these through the interlock switch.

 

[bennett326]

oh ok it doesn't look like the 4 channel driver (by badpip) has that feature , as far as i can tell. i forgot the shutter what do most people use?