Hey, Moon-raker!
Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on finding a GREAT place to ask questions before taking the "plunge" into a very addictive - and potentially expensive - hobby!!
In addition to the great suggestions you've received so far, you might also want to check into some of the great PC-based controller packages designed specifically for controlling laser projectors.
Many of us on this forum have purchased - and are quite happy with - the FlashBack 3 controller made by Pangolin, which is known world-wide for their engineering and technical contributions to the laser show industry. Their founder is a frequent contributor to this forum, by the way!
The FlashBack 3 (often referred to as FB3) is geared specifically to hobbyists and smaller productions. Here is a link to the card description (most folks go with the evaluation package for their initial purchase, since it provides everything you'll need in the controller and software package)
http://www.pangolin.com/flashback/flashback3.htm
This card is ready to go out of the box, and includes industry-standard signal connectors to connect to your scanners, lasers, and beam shutter. It requires a 5VDC power source to operate, and can be controlled by a Windows-based computer through its USB connection.
It includes a program called LiveQuick (http://www.pangolin.com/flashback/LiveQUICK.htm) and also gives you free download access to the LA Studio suite of programs (http://www.pangolin.com/LA_Studio/Abstraction.htm), which includes ShowRider, Draw 3D, and Abstraction. You also get a free download to Tracit (http://www.pangolin.com/LA_Studio/TraceIT.htm) for converting graphics files to laser-generated graphics.
The FB3 can also be controlled by DMX equipment (DMX is a standardized control system used by DJ's and professional lighting companies to control stage lighting and other effects). If you control the FB3 with a DMX console instead of a USB-attached computer, you basically get the same control of the FB3 that you would achieve using the LiveQuick software, using the FB3's onboard memory to store the actual laser images you will be controlling.
Another thing to consider is that a controller such as the FB3 will still be the only controller card you need if you add more lasers - it has outputs to control the analog modulation (laser "power" brightness setting) of up to 3 different lasers (red, green, and blue, "RGB" the standard colors for typical multi-color projector). You'll need additional optics to add more lasers, but other than the individual laser power supplies, the FB3 (or similar cards), the beam shutter, and one set of scanners is all the electronic equipment you'll probably need, whether it's one, two, or three lasers.
When you start shopping for lasers and scanners, you might want to give these guys a try:
http://lasershowparts.com/store/
They generally have good prices, provide GREAT technical support, and like Pangolin, are frequent contributors to this forum!!
One final thing - you didn't say what the output power is for your current laser module. If it's more than a few milliwatt, you need to think seriously about getting a set of laser protective goggles to use while you're aligning your lasers and optics. You'll need goggles specific to the wavelength of your lasers - usually, you can find a set that will handle blue/green wavelengths, and another to handle red wavelengths, once you start adding those additional lasers.
As I mentioned, it can get expensive - but you only have one set of eyes, and lasers can harm them in a hurry if you're not careful!
Good luck "shopping", and feel free to ask any questions that come to mind - most folks here are VERY helpful!
Randy
Last edited by Stuka; 06-01-2008 at 17:03.
RR
Metrologic HeNe 3.3mw Modulated laser, 2 Radio Shack motors, and a broken mirror.
1979.
Sweet.....