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Thread: Setting up a scanner (Goldenstar AL40)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    Default Setting up a scanner (Goldenstar AL40)

    Well, since the signal cables were missing from the package I had to make my own.

    Results right now.
    Circle: https://youtu.be/67nZII9Qx20
    Trapezoidal test pattern: https://youtu.be/r9igwyaVNhU

    Yay.
    This was set up after few hours gluing optics so I might be tired and doing something obviously wrong.
    Last edited by Finale; 07-24-2017 at 11:24.

  2. #2
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    Could use some ideas right about now.
    One thing I notice is if I just send the X or Y signal, it's a straight line. However, the edges of the line wiggle a little. So it's not *only* X or only Y signal issue

  3. #3
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    Don't connect the signal ground. This can cause ripple on the output.
    Frikkin Lasers
    http://www.frikkinlasers.co.uk

    You are using Bonetti's defense against me, ah?

    I thought it fitting, considering the rocky terrain.

  4. #4
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    I deleted my old post as it had some wrong info (scanning not affected by scan speed).
    Here's the old post:
    Thanks for the info. But I haven't connected the signal ground to anything. For a different reason (in order not to connect the X and Y amp ground together) but right now it's not connected...
    There's still the ripple thing you mentioned and the graphic is skewed (probably more than just skewed).
    One more thing maybe worth metnioning is since they forgot to ship the signal cables I had to make my own and used a cat5 cable an the length of the signal cable inside the projector is 40 cm (from back of the case where the ILDA connector is to the scanner Amps on the second floor of the case)
    Here's my new tests.

    1) First here's a video of me scanning a point, then a box, then a circle, then running the ilda test pattern and then the trapezoidal test pattern, all in 40 KPPS, in LSX:

    First thing, yes that beam is not corrected yet.

    https://youtu.be/r44AfGtoX_0

    They all are skewed in the X axis.
    It's easiest to spot with the point, there's actually 3 vibrating points, that vibrate and bounce from each other in some weird 45 degree axis (the skew axis). These 3 separate vibrating scans is also true for the box and circle though less noticeable because of my camera.
    The ILDA pattern and the trapezoidal pattern are just a mess.
    But scanning several points it seems at least the blanking is correct.

    2) Here's two videos, one showing a box being projected and me moving the scanspeed slider from 1 KPPS to 30 KPPS and back, second video is the same but with a circle.
    As you can see when at 1KPPS the graphic seems close to perfect except it's skewed in the X axis, and a little in the Y axis too.
    https://youtu.be/RPthKNJXdQA
    https://youtu.be/y2PlMbVQs88

    The circle in ilda format is attached to this post.

    Any ideas now?
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by Finale; 06-11-2017 at 23:30.

  5. #5
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    c'mon fam... ;(

  6. #6
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    Addressing the skew in the image first...

    Does the laser beam enter the scanner block at a perfect 90 degree angle? And is the beam parallel to the baseplate? If so, then the skew is likely caused by cross-talk between the X and Y signals. Check your home-made cables for any possible shorts between X+ and Y+ or X- and Y-.

    On the other hand, if the beam doesn't enter the scanner block at a perfect 90 degree angle and/or if it isn't parallel to the baseplate, then that can also cause the image to be skewed.

    Adam

  7. #7
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    Checking for shorts, can't find any.
    It's Goldenstar so I won't rule out the possibility that they just forgot to calibrate the amps before shipping them out. Check the videos I uploaded in the #1 and #4 posts please, it looks more than just an ordinary skew.

  8. #8
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    I would imagine all of the scanners come pre-tuned from the supplier and GS don't get involved in any further tuning.
    I've bought multiple sets of PT scanners at different times and they all come supplied bang on the same tuning. Haven't even had to adjust size. Its actually very impressive.
    Frikkin Lasers
    http://www.frikkinlasers.co.uk

    You are using Bonetti's defense against me, ah?

    I thought it fitting, considering the rocky terrain.

  9. #9
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    I watched the videos before I posted the first time. Yes, you do appear to have other issues as well, but until you correct the skew you can't really adjust the rest of the tuning. And if the skew is caused by cross-talk from X to Y, you'll never get the tuning right.

    There is some wobble in the image which looks like a possible grounding issue, and the tuning does also appear to be off. But one thing at a time. Did you verify that the beam is entering the scan block at exactly 90 degrees to the aperture, and parallel to the baseplate?

    If so, then please post a picture of the signal cables you assembled with shots of them connected to the amp and to the ILDA port or break-out board so we can trace the signals.

    Adam

  10. #10
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    Oct 2016
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    I will grab a spare ILDA connector and connect the signal pins to the amps and the connector to my DAC directly like that with very short cables and show some photos.
    Right now the ground pin from the amps is not connected to anything and there's no short between the X and Y cables but I'll do this test regardless.

    And yes the beam is quite parallel, seems perfectly centered on both the X and Y mirrors.

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