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Hi guysJust looking for some views on how I'd implement an Estop in my current setup.Currently looking to run 4 RGB units, all total output 2.2 watt each. All daisy chained via powercon leads and daisy chained too via ILDA to PB3 Pangolin software.Am I right in thinking if I connect an interlock estop to the first unit this should shut down all the other units?Also anyone know any decent stockists in the UK for estops.Thank you in advance
No that is likely not correct. The e-stops would probably need to be daisy chained as well. It would kill the first projector but not the subsequent projectors. I say likely because stranger things have been known to happen but, I suspect if you test it, you'll find the other three units will keep running. As far as Estops in the UK, Robert Stanley (Stanwax) has them and, if I recall correctly Jim (smogthemog on PL) also usually has a supply.
http://shop.stanwaxlaser.co.uk/
Hey thanks for the reply, appriciated.
Had a look on stanwaxlaser site. There's a few options so I've emailed him for best options.
Might even be easier to use an estop for the main powered unit that powercon links the rest of the units.
Thanks again
I think what'll get you is to use Class 4 lasers here in the UK there are requirements about e-stops - they have to have a delay and key reset and bits. Stanwax will be very helpful and the e-stop system in his boards is very good and compliant but you'll have to tell folk what kind of laser you've got and check the manual to see how your e-stop socket is wired and whether it does the job.
I made a small relay contactor that breaks the interlock line in the FB3 output so turns off the laser emissions and not the scanners or projectors power... I'll post a picture if you like, but I also have some bare boards left I think from the minimum manufacturers run...
I made this for someone a little while ago
4 ilda inputs on one side and 4 ilda outputs on the other, estop in the middle and add 5v. job done
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...psavpurkd6.jpg
Regarding e-stop use in the UK, (and Europe), there is no legal requirement for the laser manufacturer to supply an e-stop with the laser projector. Although it is good practice to, and invariably e-stops are required as part the installers/operators obligations.
What the laser supplier must do however is for all Class 3B and Class 4 laser projectors, supply the unit with an interlock connector. The requirement is that the pins must be connected together to enable light output.
The other important requirement of the laser supplier is that any Class 4 lasers must also have a power supply reset feature, meaning that an action has to be taken by the operator to enable the laser projector in the case of first turning on, a power loss or interlock break, before the laser is able to emit light.
The better laser suppliers do implement this feature as is required by the EN 60825-1:2007 and later standards, which made it a legal requirement for CE purposes since 2009. But there are still a large number of laser projection devices being supplied or made in-house that fail to meet this CE requirement. If your supplier has sold you kit without this safety feature, contact them and demand that they do. Also, they are not allowed to list it as an optional (chargeable) extra either. For that would be like a car manufacturer selling a vehicle as standard without seat belts, and having them listed as an optional chargeable extra.
Stanwax’s PCBs are a quick and low cost way of adding the feature yourself to a projector that you have self built. I put some details on it on this link. http://www.lvroptical.com/blog_PushTheButton.htm
BTW - there is NO requirement in the UK or Europe for the supplier to have a delayed start feature on the laser. This in not in the safety standard.
Ultimately, the better laser systems supply a remote that acts as an e-stop and also provides the power supply reset function as a separate switch.
Having the e-stop cut the mains power should really be avoided for a number of good reasons.
Hope this helps.
James
100% agree. This is why I run stanwax boards in ALL my lasers. I just ordered another 10 boards yesterday. They also support a daisy chainable estop. So one estop can control 1 projector or 100.Quote:
Originally Posted by JStewart
Johnathon Vigrass
That's what we needed :D thanks for the correction, guess the stanwax delay is just a bonus.Quote:
Originally Posted by JStewart
Is the keylock a requirement? I had assumed it was from the number of lasers sold with them and it just seems smart
I agree, although this is how the (I believe soon to be replaced/updated) Stanwax boards operate, and it caught me out last year as I had 'presumed' (my own fault for not reading the docs) that they cut the modulation as the boards I'd been using previously did.Quote:
Having the e-stop cut the mains power should really be avoided for a number of good reasons.
From what I know, the new boards will cut modulation too (not sure if he's replacing or augmenting the functionality)
Yes, the keyswitch is a requirement, but it could be a remote one if the projector is inaccessible. Unless the projector will ALWAYS be inaccessible, it makes sense to put one on the projector anyway, and then let the situation dictate whether its required, or a remote one.
What are the reasons for this? I currently use an relay which I can switch on/off with the E-stop. Keeping in mind it only will be used to in case of an emergency.Quote:
Having the e-stop cut the mains power should really be avoided for a number of good reasons.
James
cos it can take half a second or a second for the power to discharge so galvos drop, beam wonder, hit people in the face etc...Quote:
Originally Posted by sick2
power discharge isn't instant
The best bet if you're cutting power is to just do the laser supplies and not the galvo supply which is how I believe Rob's distribution board works and is designed to work with the interface board. But it's the time to stop and cap discharge that I think is the primary reason. That said, a shutter would shut quicker anyway, but not all projectors utilise a mechanical shutter.
Ah cheers about the key, though it might be.
Using the stanwax ilda's interlocked relay on the output side of the diode driver's supply seems instantaneous.
If you're switching the DC then you may have better results.
I used them on big projectors where I needed to switch off multiple reasonably large PSU's so that wasn't an option unfortunately. I had to switch the AC for everything bar the scanner supply.
I wanted to pass this by you guys as well, the e-stop i am working on would kill the power to the lasers and not do anything to the galvo supply, my lumia projector already has this via an RF remote that is running at around 433mhz i think, the remote is needed to turn on the device as well, i did that so some one could not accidentally turn the thing on with out me being there, the other e-stop is the same that's used for robots it's a self locking button that needs to then be turned to reset it, i still need to build the cabinet for it and i currently dont have a suitable box, any one have a supplier that sells project boxes that are fairly rugged? all i have is the cheap crap you can get from radio shack, it works fine for my Tesla coil but would rather have something a but more rugged https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11366
that's what i had in mind, i have been using one for my home theature , it takes the 12 volt signal from my avr to turn on my main power amp and the power amp for the sub, it seems built well enough and the red color i like for something like an e-stop.
it has to be cheap in cost as well, i don't do public shows and only display with a small group of friends