New to laser, some help needed :)

[m4007]

Hi,

I'm new to all of this and after some reading, I have figured that I would like to build something myself. I have bought a year ago a laser display system from a compagny called Laserworld. The red laser diode is not working anymore, and the steppers stopped making patterns. I'd like to re-use some components in there. The boards have no markings and are probably custom made, It would be great if someone could help me identify parts and boards.

Could I build a ILDA interface to control those steppers, or do I need a kit like the DT40 ? Are the laser control boards reusable or I should get new amps?








Thank you,

Mathieu

[polishedball]

if the galvo's are not making a pattern with DMX, they most likely wont with an idla interface either. Chances are they have failed themselves.

Also curious what model is that unit?

Thanks

[m4007]

It's the EL-200RGY 200mW RGY

The steppers are powering up, they align properly (make noise and move on startup) and then it's a straight laser beam, I guess it has something to do with the control board.. The guy in an email told me the mirrors might be dirty but I doubt cleaning them would change anything, there's a little dust but that's all.

Lasers: aircooled DPSS laser (green), laser diodes (red)
RED: >110mW / 655nm; GREEN: >40mW / 532nm
laser class: 3b
Beam properties: 3mm/1mrad
Scanner system: high-speed micro step motors
Deflection angle: max. 30° optical
Scanspeed: 2-5kpps.

Scanspeed is slow through and DMX never responded properly, i've had them run on sound only. I'd like to salvage the good stuff cause this was about 400$. A quick google search lists those scanners at 12$ each, easy to change if they failed.

[gottaluvlasers]

M4007-

Welcome to the forum.

The guy in an email told me the mirrors might be dirty

LOL- yeah, thats Laserworld's answer to EVERY problem that people have with there equipment. (which is quite often!)

anyway-

If the mirrors arent moving, but they seem to "home" themsleves, then chances are its the control board in the system that has crapped out. You can tryo the sound card DACs to run this through a standard ILDA connection. Or obviously you can do an FB3/quickshow system also. However that would cost you more than the system cost you.

My suggestion, and probably most everyones would be to take the lasers out of the unit and rebuild the system the way *you* want to build it. add in an affordable set of scanners (dt30's, 40's, 40 wides or scan pro systems) and chances are you can turn this into a pretty good looking system (for what it is).

-Marc

[dzodzo]

i'd change the steppers for some real scanners if you want to go ILDA as 2-5kpps is not even enough to make some simple shapes, maybe it's enough for a line but if you want to create tunnels, waves or even do some graphics or texts, you need something faster

[mccarrot]

You could reuse the housing and the green laser, scrap the rest.

[m4007]

Any idea how I would interface with the control board for those steppers? I'll get some better scanners but I'd like to experiment with this first

[m4007]

The steppers are connected to a ULN2803, the program is in the atmel chip. Can anyone give me pointers on how I'd be able to interface those with a standard ILDA connection ? Here's a closeup of the board.

[dave]

You can tryo the sound card DACs to run this through a standard ILDA connection. Or obviously you can do an FB3/quickshow system also. However that would cost you more than the system cost you.

Name one chopstick laser with stepper scanners that has ILDA. I cant!

[dave]

The steppers are connected to a ULN2803, the program is in the atmel chip. Can anyone give me pointers on how I'd be able to interface those with a standard ILDA connection ? Here's a closeup of the board.

Not possible.. Best to replace the scanners with something half decent..