I actually went through anchor optics, which is connected with edmund optics somehow. The lenses were fairly inexpensive compared to what you'd get at edmund optics.
Awesome! Try the animation.Dedolight optics, Mechanics...
@EasyB: In the shot lighting the tower, it seems the narrowest part of the beam is not at the tower but somewhere inbetween. Is that true or is that only apparantly?
Would anyone here be interested in doing a how-to on the calculations for designing a two-optic system like this?
Would anyone here be interested in doing a how-to on the calculations for designing a two-optic system like this? With the little I've learned about optics, I wouldn't feel confident trying to figure it out myself.
This really is the most interesting project (to me) that I've seen on here in a while; it's such a different approach and looks to result in a very nice beam.
WOW!! Welcome to CPF, EasyB !!
That is a spectacular first post - what a superb light! Brace yourself for a lot of questions and comments from admiring members!
More about the functioning of the pre-colimator can be found in the thread Formula for calculating throw using aspheric lens .
Making calculations seems to be quite hard, and seems to be a matter of trial and error. From my experiments a f-0.55 first lens, and a f-2.0 large lens works best with the f-2.0 lens.
Other combinations might work better, but I can't tell, as a layman myself.
You might google for 'beam-expander', as that is a common application of this principle.
I could, but don't have all the necessary details for this setup. I'm in a hurry now so maybe I find time somewhere this week to explain the setup.
So the small DCX condenser is AX27459 and the 13" Fresnel lens is AX27363? Nice job on the smoke picture. It looks like you just position the collector so the cone of light it creates is the size of your Fresnel lens, at the point the Fresnel comes into focus. This is one of those projects the more I look, the more I like it.:twothumbsI actually went through anchor optics, which is connected with edmund optics somehow. The lenses were fairly inexpensive compared to what you'd get at edmund optics. I don't think I had this exact design in mind when I purchased the lenses. Got a bit lucky I guess. I picked the small lens because it has a very high diameter:focal length ratio. 47mm diameter, 21mm focal length. I picked the fresnel lens because it's big and round.
I'll try and get a good side shot with the beam on.
So the small DCX condenser is AX27459 and the 13" Fresnel lens is AX27363? Nice job on the smoke picture. It looks like you just position the collector so the cone of light it creates is the size of your Fresnel lens, at the point the Fresnel comes into focus. This is one of those projects the more I look, the more I like it.:twothumbs
If it's not too ghetto, perhaps the right size black bucket would help cut down on the glare when you're using it long distance. A box made of ¼" plywood and painted flat black on the inside would be even better. A small square hole at the bottom would give your heatsink breathing room and a means to reach the on/off switch.