To the laser show software companies

[Pangolin]

What are the largest (practical) mirrors / apertures each of the galvo-families can handle?

To fully understand the answer, you'd need to first understand something called "rotor dynamics". You can watch a video we released, which showed my discussion about this topic at ILDA here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiaM0adidIo

With that understanding under your belt, you'll realize something pretty amazing, which is that our smallest scanner can actually handle our largest mirror! We have tested our Compact 506 with up to 1 inch round mirrors, and we can get 1 millisecond small steps and 2.5 millisecond large steps with the '506 and 1 inch round mirrors!

Other that that, our Saturn 1 is designed for "up to 3mm mirrors" (similar in size to Cambridge 3mm mirrors).

Our Saturn 5 is designed for up to 8mm mirrors.

- What power-level handling is offered? Up to 50-60W? How are the 'curves' for the mirrs you guys use, in the 445-range? (many 'high-power broadband dielectrics' seem to 'slack-off' around 445; perhaps many coaters are still thinking of Argon's 457 still being the low-end, dunno...)

I know what you mean. I can say for sure that our dielectric mirrors *seem* better than Cambridge mirrors, especially in the short-wave blue region. I've measured better than 98% reflectivity for blue and 99% in the green. For our mirrors, reflectivity actually drops somewhat in the red -- perhaps 96% or so, but this is from memory. This is for our standard mirrors that come with Saturn 5 and Saturn 1.

We also have a number of mirrors that have protected silver coating. These are especially useful for infrared lasers. We have some customers who are doing near infrared and the protected silver gives better than 98% reflectivity, regardless of the angle and for wavelengths up to around 10 microns.

Regarding damage threshold, I just don't have that data. You'd have to try them and see. I can only say that I've sent mirror sets to people who were formerly burning up Cambridge mirrors left and right with OPSL lasers, but were not able to burn our mirrors using the same lasers.

- Will the shafts of either galvo allow for 'clam-shell / screw-on' (CT 6220-style..) mirr-mounters? What about a 'custom' mir mount? (ie: shaft-mounted 'V-block' for use with a vertical retro-reflector for moar-efficient old-skool mech-blanking..)

Normally our scanners have a slot -- similar to conventional scanners, but formed in a bit of a different way. In the video you will see how we extend the back of our shafts to help support the mirrors.

However, we use 3mm shafts on almost everything, including our actuators. Our actuators have a solid (i.e. not slotted) shaft. We could always put a solid shaft on any of our scanners, and I believe 6220 also uses a 3mm solid shaft too. So 6220 mirrors should fit on our Saturn 5 if you ordered with a solid shaft.

- Say I want to mechanically-blank a 10-12mm (aperture) beam, of 50-60W, all lines, RGB, including 445.. Which galvo / amp would you recommend - Saturns / DSP or C-506's? (Graphics are not-important.. Aerials / Fans / Sines / Beams only, so 'speed' is uncrucial...) Yes we have a 'sacrificial T2' we could send-in..

Compact 506 is a "cheap scanner" which can also handle surprisingly large mirrors. Because of the rotor dynamics involved, bending mode and torsional mode resonances are quite high, and have a low Q. Because of this, a notch filter is not needed. The '506 would likely be a great choice if you don't need super high speeds.

..Ultimately, tho, would need about 15-16 galvos (9 'v-block' mech blankers, and 6 XY pairs..) Not worried about price - More interested in *very-stable* repeatability / low-drift (because RGB convergence is post-retro stages..) and longevity. And deftly paddling big-ass 60W RGB beams around. :P

For "low drift" you would need to use the Pro version of our '506. The difference between the Pro version and Economy version is the position sensor. The Pro uses our Saturn position sensor. Unfortunately the polarity of that sensor is the opposite of conventional scanners, and so it means you'd need to use our DSP amp. You're still looking at something well under $1500, even if you used Saturn 5.

PS - Sorry 'bout yer thread, Gary.. ;D

AHA, good point! I am sorry too! I'd gladly take this onto a separate thread...

Bill

[Pangolin]

Hey Bill, any chance you can make the T2 modification details available when you've completed the mod? I'll likely pickup a couple of the 506's and I'm looking forward to seeing them run on the T2.

Yes, no doubt. We received a T2 from Steve, but not the cables. Once Steve sends me the cables, I'll do the mod and then publish the results.

I am excited to see what the T2 will do with these. Up until now we've only tried them with single-ended power amps, and they deliver the same results as a 6800 or 6210 under those circumstances. With the T2 I will likely be able to use the H-bridge output, to get either wider projection angle at 30K or faster scanning, or both.

If the development of the driver will take some time and the 506 comes first then will you have some ready by P. West?

506 is already here. I have some in stock right now, and they are a snap to make. For a driver, we're working on something right now that is the size of a credit card, and has many other benefits. Schematic capture was done while I was at LDI. Board layout will begin this week. There's no doubt that this will be in production by Photonics West.

HOWEVER, HB Super Apollo Micro amps are available right now, so this combination can be purchased essentially immediately. Unfortunately I don't have the price since I'm not a price guy. If you're interested, contact Justin as he knows the price for the amps and a prospective initial price for the scanners.

Currently we have in stock mirror sets for 3mm round beams up to 5mm square beams. (And really 5mm square beams, not some BS nonsense where we say it does 5mm, and it really doesn't if you do the math...)

Bill

[planters]

Bill,

HOWEVER, HB Super Apollo Micro amps are available right now

The amps/drivers is one area where I'm pretty weak. Who manufacturers these? If we are only considering the 506 for now then if combined with these amps will the 506 operate at the same performance level as with the dedicated drivers nearing production? If not, would a field upgrade be trivial? I am looking at an LEM in Boston in late Jan and it would be a kick to run a few of these sets there. If the "credit cards" aren't available by that time so be it. Actually having a 5mm square aperture would be a relief as well.

[norty303]

HB-Laser make the amps, I'm just trying to find out where they can be obtained and for how much.
Here is the scanner page on their site, but no mention of a super micro
http://shop.hb-laser.com/OEM/Apollo-...::128_129.html

P.S. I'm very impressed with the price of the 506's! So impressed that I'm going to run my DT30's much harder on the basis if I break something I have the excuse to buy some (budget dwindling at the moment to justify trying them out )

[Pangolin]

HB gave us a price on their amps, and if you contact them, they will no doubt tell you. Right now the price HB charges for their amps is actually higher than we are charging for the pair of scanners. That's a real switch... If you contact Justin, he can tell you a total price because we plan on getting some HB amps in so we can pair them with scanners and sell the package.

Norty, the link you provided does not provide a picture of our scanners.

Bill

[norty303]

Norty, the link you provided does not provide a picture of our scanners.

Why would it? It's a link to the HB-Laser website, to their scanner page, which is the closest thing I could find to a mention of their amps. Plqanters was asking who made them.

I did ask Justin for prices with and without amps, and he only provided me a scanner price. As you'll see from the CC, I've asked again (perhaps a bit more specifically this time) if you can supply the whole lot, and a price.

[planters]

Bill,

Like Norty, I don't want to bombard Justin if he doesn't know a price for the drivers. I haven't checked the specific price because all the hints and suggestions lead me to think it is not going to be a problem. If these Apollo amps are going to require some tweaking to mate with the 506 motors can you provide this service for a turn key, 2 axis system?

Alternatively, should I wait for the "credit card" drivers and beg (bribe) Justin for the first few if I want to demo these at MIT?

[polishedball]

Somebody please just put the price in this thread when you get one.

[norty303]

I've got a price for the scanners on their own but you will need to drop them an email for that I'm afraid

[polishedball]

I've got a price for the scanners on their own but you will need to drop them an email for that I'm afraid

What's the secret, is it tiered pricing for who you are or something? I have had an email and fb message into them.