I want a computer Controlled laser show!!! :(:(

[LucasSoares4567]

Hey guys watsup?

Well il just starting by saying that i am a fanatic about anything that is controlled by computer!!! and i was wondering if anybody could help me create my own laser show pc controlled.
I can say that im not a begginer on electronics as i can make very basic electronic circuits, but however, i have no idea when it comes to stepper motors and servos and galvos and all those.

I have a 20mw laser light for discos, which i dismantled by curiosoity and found out that the circuit was DMX 512 enabled but didnt have the remaining components for it to make it work. Therefore i came up with to options to create this pc controlled laser:

EIther:

I try to figure out how to the circuit works with the help of the internet which i have not been sucessful and (reason why i decide to join this forum) make it completely DMX 512 enabled.

Or:

I pull out the stepper motors alread in the XY configuration, also take out the laser, laser power suppply, and try to figure out a schematic circuit to work with the parrallel port of my computer which i have seen but was far to conufsing for me so i decide to call for help.

I think those are the most possible options i have? What do you people think? should i do? im i being wrong on dismntaling the perfectly made laser light?

Please help me i really want a pc controlled laser which i can make easy animations and text!!!
Just comment anything, if im doing wrong, if u know any schematics or anything that can help me just write on this thread.
thanks!!!! People!!!!

 

[RDZombie]

if you are looking low dollar there is an old school hack for using an old Amiga computer to control galvos with the internal sound card. FleaBay has some decently cheap open loop systems.

 

[LucasSoares4567]

hey,
I also thought of that, i have read a bit about that but unfourtantely i dont think i can aford one of those.
What do you think i would need to make something with what i have!?
Two Stepper Motors in XY configuration.
One Green Laser Module.
And the Main IC which is an Atmel used in DMX 512 circuits.

Thanks, Lucas.

 

[allthatwhichis]

Come on over to photonlexicon.com It is a forum geared more towards lasers shows as opposed to hand held modules.

To do a computer based show you need:

Laser(s)
DAC/digi to analog converter, can be a card (PCI), or external device (USB or paralelle port)
Scanners/galvos
Software (Pangolin, popelscan, Mamba...)
optics if you plan on combining lasers for different colors.
and an enclosure is nice, but you can go with just a breadboard.

First, this obsession is a money pit. Consider yourself forewarned. I have close to $3000 in my projector and it still isn't good enough for me to use commercially but I am getting close.

Like I said, take a lurk at PL and most of your questions should be answered there. Good luck and take your significant other out to dinner one last time while you still have spending cash available.

 

[instinct]

Come on over to photonlexicon.com It is a forum geared more towards lasers shows as opposed to hand held modules.

To do a computer based show you need:

Laser(s)
DAC/digi to analog converter, can be a card (PCI), or external device (USB or paralelle port)
Scanners/galvos
Software (Pangolin, popelscan, Mamba...)
optics if you plan on combining lasers for different colors.
and an enclosure is nice, but you can go with just a breadboard.

First, this obsession is a money pit. Consider yourself forewarned. I have close to $3000 in my projector and it still isn't good enough for me to use commercially but I am getting close.

Like I said, take a lurk at PL and most of your questions should be answered there. Good luck and take your significant other out to dinner one last time while you still have spending cash available.

He's right. Photonlexicon is the bomb.. Candlepower is great for handhelds.. Photonlexicon is great for shows.