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Thread: WTB laser module and galvanometer

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    Default WTB laser module and galvanometer - Got em!

    -- Thanks all. I think I'm set to start work on my laser harp. I'll post pics as soon as I have something to photograph.

    Hi, all. I found this forum after stumbling on Stephen Hobley's pages as part of my year long quest to find data on building my own laser harp. I've now secured almost everything I need except, um, the two most important components. So, I just thought I'd mention that I'm looking for a green laser with TTL blanking capability in the 100 - 250 mW range along with a scanner along the lines of the Scanpro20 in case anyone has some surplus items to sell.

    I'm glad I found this place and expect that I'll be back often as I try to pull off this build with three expectant little boys peering over my shoulder.

    Thanks in advance for any help/pointers anyone can offer.
    Last edited by Squonk; 09-25-2008 at 03:19. Reason: Bought the equipment

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    Lancashire UK
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    Default

    hi Squonk

    welcome to PL

    you have certainly come to the right place .... Mr Carl B will be along here shortly hes our very own laser harp specialist

    he did a performance on his laser harp at our last UK meet which was very impressive ....

    i will let him answer all your questions

    but i know he does not use a galvo on his harp ... he uses a glass defraction grating to split the single green laser into multiple beams

    this i think is the better solution as its easier to align to the photo sensors

    whilst your waiting for Carl B ... do a search for "Laser Harp" on these forums as there are a few posts

    all the best .... Karl

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    Hi, Karl. Thanks for the welcome. And nice avatar, btw. I've already been searching here and doing some interesting reading about laser harps. I've gone back and forth about the galvo vs. beam splitting approach. From what I've been able to glean, each has advantages and disadvantages - the main one for splitting the beam being that each successive "string" would be a bit dimmer. Since I probably won't be able to afford a whole lot of laser, that seems like it would be even more of a problem for me. Plus, I have to admit I like the effect that a galvo can give of fanning the strings out from a central beam. That's showbiz!

    That said, though, I'm open to all advice.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    Yorkshire, UK
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    Hi Squonk

    Welcome to Photonlexicon

    Great news that you're going to build a laser harp. Are you building Steve's latest design that uses the Wii remote?

    I have his plans for the older design but haven't got around to doing anything about it yet. If you have any good links as to where to obtain the parts etc., please post them here for the benefit of us all.

    Karl... Steve Hobley's design is *Far* more advanced than the harp that carl was using at UKLEM. Carl needs photosensors on his, Steve's design doesn't use any photosensors/mirrors for beam termination as it works in a completely different way. His newest design uses a Wii remote control to sense hand position within the beam. Thus you can modulate the sound by sliding your hand up and down in the beam - Cooool stuff He's also incorporated a function whereby every time you break a beam the laser changes colour!

    Squonk... So now you need a red laser as well ... Incidentally, would your username have anything to do with Genesis?

    Cheers

    Jem
    Quote: "There is a theory which states that if ever, for any reason, anyone discovers what exactly the Universe is for and why it is here it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another that states that this has already happened.”... Douglas Adams 1952 - 2001

  5. #5
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    Sep 2008
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    New York State
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    Hi, Jem. Yep, Squonk as in a pool of bubbles and tears. I've been a big Genesis fan for a long time - even got to work video support for a show in Syracuse, eat dinner with them backstage and take home a roadie shirt as a souvenir.

    I did, in fact, buy Stephen's plans and spent a few fun hours last night ordering almost all of the components after convincing my wife that this was a great idea (for my boys to play with, of course. ) As for vendors, I mainly used the ones that Stephen included in his parts list. (Except Radio Shack - I always knew they charged a significant markup, but when I compared their prices to Electronic Goldmine I was shocked.) I couldn't find nanofarad capacitors like the ones that Stephen specifies, though.

    I'd really like to incorporate the Wii modification, so if I can get this thing working, I'll contact Stephen for details on that.

  6. #6
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    Jan 2007
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    Yorkshire, UK
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    Quote Originally Posted by Squonk View Post
    Hi, Jem. Yep, Squonk as in a pool of bubbles and tears. I've been a big Genesis fan for a long time - even got to work video support for a show in Syracuse, eat dinner with them backstage and take home a roadie shirt as a souvenir.

    I did, in fact, buy Stephen's plans and spent a few fun hours last night ordering almost all of the components after convincing my wife that this was a great idea (for my boys to play with, of course. ) As for vendors, I mainly used the ones that Stephen included in his parts list. (Except Radio Shack - I always knew they charged a significant markup, but when I compared their prices to Electronic Goldmine I was shocked.) I couldn't find nanofarad capacitors like the ones that Stephen specifies, though.

    I'd really like to incorporate the Wii modification, so if I can get this thing working, I'll contact Stephen for details on that.
    Great stuff, so, another Genesis fan (and you've actually met them ), you can't be all bad then

    As a newbie to the forum you should know the rules....

    1. We like pictures

    2. We really like pictures

    3. There isn't a '3', but i'd like to remind you that we really do like pictures

    I'll be following your posts (and pictures! ) with great interest. You never know it may spur me on to dig out the plans and actually start the project.

    Cheers

    Jem
    Quote: "There is a theory which states that if ever, for any reason, anyone discovers what exactly the Universe is for and why it is here it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another that states that this has already happened.”... Douglas Adams 1952 - 2001

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    7,067

    Lightbulb Welcome...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jem View Post
    3. There isn't a '3', but i'd like to remind you that we really do like pictures
    3. Videos are cool too... they're just a bunch of pictures strung together.
    Love, peace, and grease,

    allthat... aka: aaron@pangolin

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    250

    Default

    Hi,dear Squonk

    Welcome to PL forum!

    If you are intested in green laser,I think you can try Viasho lasers.

    I wish you could find what you like here and Viasho.

    Greets.
    http://www.viasho.com
    wzc@viasho.com
    Wechat & Whatsapp: +8613911142669

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charleston, SC
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    2,147,489,446

    Cool

    Hi Squonk! Welcome to PhotonLexicon!

    I think you'll find plenty of help here for your project. Noticed you were looking for parts... One of our members (Marc, aka "GottaLuvLasers") is nearly local to you. He's in Connecticutt, and he's a distributor for LaserWave. (Lasers, dichros, mounts, that sort of thing.) Not sure if he's got any galvos for sale or not though. (I think not.?.) Still, you might want to send him a PM and see if the two of you can link up to talk shop...

    Dave and Aijii from Lasershowparts.com are also members here, and while they are located in Australia (which is a tad too far to get together for a cup of coffee, or even a beer!), they do offer *very* good customer service, and they stock both lasers *and* scanners. So you might want to check out their website as well.

    And Aaron is right - we love pictures! If you're just getting started on your Laser Harp project, be sure to take lots of pictures! Then you can upload them to the gallery for everyone to drool over. (They'll also serve as a guide for anyone that wants to follow in your footsteps.)

    Adam

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    New York State
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    Default

    Have to say thanks to all for the friendly reception here. I will track down the leads you've supplied and will definitely document the project in photos - probably starting with the components spread all over the table!

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