Messages

1

3D Printers / Re: Lasershark Board SPI or uart connection

« on: January 27, 2020, 09:27:22 PM »

Hello Benni,

Your question is very similar to one that was just asked (I thought you were the same person)
https://macpod.net/forums/index.php/topic,132.0.html

There is no code to use the SPI or UART port. Those were broken out for those who would like to make their own custom firmware.

The USB Interface is a custom bulk/isochronous interface vs. a serial port for efficiency and safety reasons.

2

LaserShark Discussion / Re: Uart as input

« on: January 26, 2020, 04:50:06 PM »

Hi jpilarski,

The LaserShark was designed to be controller via USB only. I broke out the I2C, SPI, and UART pins of the micro-controller for the convenience of those who may want to write their own LaserShark firmware for custom applications. There is no code written to support these.

The textual protocol you reference in software is converted to another binary format before being sent to the LaserShark via USB. I'm using bulk and/or isochronous with a custom interface because:
1. It allows more data to be sent with less overhead compared to modeling the device as a serial port.
2. For safety reasons. Lots of software "poke" at connected serial ports (i.e. Ubuntu's Modem Manager) to see if there are known peripherals attached. If this software inadvertently triggers a valid command this could be dangerous.

Have you considered using a Raspberry Pi to control your LaserShark? You could run the LaserShark host software on it and it isn't very large/expensive.

3

OpenLase Discussion / Re: Can't get a normal aspect ratio in projection

« on: April 23, 2019, 01:07:29 AM »

./lasershark_jack is receiving data through the JACK audio bus. An openlase application generates samples, these are passed through the JACK bus where other programs can manipulate this data stream then re-send out the modified samples. One of these programs is the output application. The output application allows you to keystone your images so if your project is not perfectly perpendicular to a wall or your galvo amplifiers are tuned for another system (such that the image will appear too wide or tall perspective wise) you can adjust it.

./lasershark_stdin recieves whatever you send into it and transmits it. If you need keystone correction in an application that is fed to lasershark_stdin then you will need to write this into your application's custome code.

4

OpenLase Discussion / Re: Can't get a normal aspect ratio in projection

« on: April 15, 2019, 11:56:04 PM »

Hi Zang,

Glad you were able to identify the problem with your galvo setup.

If you use lasershark_stdin no keystone configuration option is provided. If you use OpenLase you can use the JACK audio connection kit to route the output through OpenLase's "output" application. This program will allow you to keystone/etc which sounds to be what you are looking for.

This should all be possible to do in realtime

5

LaserShark Support / Re: Galvos no movement need help

« on: March 21, 2019, 12:39:18 AM »

Hello Zang,

For video1, it looks like you have everything connected but you are not running the lasershark_stdin app? I am assuming this because it looks like all wires are connected in the video and I see green power led and green usb led of the lasershark are on.

If everything were functioning correctly the lasershark would print a continuous signal in this state. The fact the galvos are moving is a problem.

In video2 it looks like the power LEDs on the galvo amplifier board are pulsing. Is this a camera artifact or is this really happening?  This shouldn't happen nor should they be turning off. The click sounds like the laser mirror is quickly rotating to the absolute max point (which is not something you wan't to have happen.)



Either there is still an issue with the galvo and amplifiers, the wiring is incorrect, or the amplifiers/dac have been damaged on the lasershark. It is a new galvo kit so the galvo and amplifiers shouldn't be damaged yet.. from before it looks like you have the galvo x and y channels wired correctly. Can you validate with the seller the orientation of the ribbon cable?
 

6

LaserShark Discussion / Re: Display ILDA test images with laser shark?

« on: March 18, 2019, 09:34:23 PM »

Hi Simon,

The dearth of information likely stems from the fact people either use the LaserShark with OpenLase for dynamic output, for 3d printers, or for other scientific/telecommunication/industrial purposes.

OpenLase does have a very basic ilda file player. it talks directly with jack so you will need to add connection in patchbay to use it. I've attached a screenshot of my patchbay. If you set this up you can test it out with the simulator without needing to buy/make a LaserShark first. I would recommend this so there aren't any unexpected surprises

playilda <ilda file>
playilda -s <ildafile> <rate>

7

LaserShark Support / Re: Galvos no movement need help

« on: February 10, 2019, 01:53:04 PM »

Hello Zhang,

Ok, so you have replaced the galvos themselves as well as the galvo amplifiers.

When circlemaker is running the voltages quickly swing one direction and then the other. You would not be able to measure the Lasershark X and Y channel voltages with a voltmeter, you would need to use an oscilloscope. Measuring with a voltmeter would just show a a varying voltage.

I do not hear a switching/clicking noise in the video.

I do hear a "fluttering" noise which sounds like the galvos rotating back and fourth as expected. The galvos do not move a significant amount so it is best to test with a low power laser (i.e. a laser pointer) to identify if the galvos are moving.

If you were unaware the galvos do not rotate 360 degrees when running. Instead they turn clockwise/counterclockwise by a small degree (30-45 degrees max usually) very quickly like the needle of an analog voltmeter.

8

LaserShark Support / Re: Galvos no movement need help

« on: February 09, 2019, 07:35:29 PM »

Hi Zhang,

JACK is only required for running OpenLase and lasershark_jack. The galvo/laser control data is sent using the JACK audio daemon here. You do not need to do steps 1, 2, 3 if you just want to use lasershark_stdin.

You do not need JACK or OpenLase to use lasershark_stdin, lasershark_stdin_circlemaker, or lasershark_stdin_displayimage.

Did you replace both the galvo amplifiers and galvos or just the galvo amplifier boards?
What component is causing the clicking noise the clicking?
What are you measuring the output voltage on?

9

LaserShark Support / Re: Galvos no movement need help

« on: January 28, 2019, 11:58:39 PM »

I'm still in business. 

Sorry to hear that you could not repair your amplifiers. I still believe this is possible however troubleshooting the problem could be time consuming if it isn't as simple as a capacitor or the regulators.

We had a company buy out our stock of LaserSharks to integrate into their own product. I am in the process of having more LaserShark units fabricated but this takes time, especially during this time of the year. The new boards will likely be in within 1-2 months.

I have one remaining unit. If you are interested in this one please email me.

10

LaserShark Support / Re: Galvos no movement need help

« on: January 13, 2019, 03:38:20 PM »

If you also heard a loud noise it is likely something "let out the magic blue smoke". That's a shame as this was an expensive kit.

The good news about this situation is that there are generally no embedded controllers on the boards. If you have an electrical background and are strapped for cash you could try and identify potentially bad parts (i.e. the -15v regulator which is one of the 3-pin chips screwed to one of the heatsinks) and any op-amps/resistors/etc.

The power supply likely isn't bad (but you could check to make sure it is still  outputting +-24v). It is possible the galvos are fine too which means you may just need to replace the galvo amplifier board itself vs everything.

11

LaserShark Support / Re: Galvos no movement need help

« on: January 10, 2019, 01:46:20 AM »

Thank you for these pictures and video.

Often times galvo boards will have two 3-pin connectors on them.
- One is used for power INPUT from a power supply
- The other is a power OUTPUT. This is used to provide a +/-15v power supply to an external DAC (Digital-to-Analog Controller) board.

If you attempted to power the galvo board via the OUTPUT power connector it is possible this could have damaged your board. It looks like the LEDs are intended to indicate if you have +15v and -15V. If neither or only one are not turning on this is not a good sign.

If you connect a multimeter to the the center pin (gnd) and then the side pins of the +/-15v connector what does it read? it should be a stable value close to  +15V on one side and -15V for the other.

Do you have a datasheet for your galvo kit?
What did you do to cause both LEDS to turn on?

In the video, were you running the circle_maker app or was this just with them plugged in. It looks like they are slowly turning clockwise/counterclockwise but slower than I believe they should (unless you modified the code). The galvos should not make that buzzing noise, that means a spurious signal is being generated or the galvo amp circuit is damaged. It could also mean a bad/intermittent connection.

12

LaserShark Support / Re: Galvos no movement need help

« on: January 08, 2019, 10:23:28 PM »

Hi Zhang,

That is an interesting daughterboard between the lasershark and galvo amplifiers. I have not seen this before.

It certainly looks like the LaserShark is successfully connected in the app. If it was not you would not be able to read the firmware version, ringbuffer sample count, etc.
I see that you also say that ttl signals work so it sounds like you can turn on and off a connected ttl laser suggesting the software<->lasershark link is working

While it is hard to tell from the image, it does appear as if you have connected the X and Y connections to the associated pins on the daughterboard correctly.

I am unable to read the text on the daughterboard which the power cable is connected to. Are you confident it should go there? Are there any LEDs on the galvo amplifier board to indicate it is successfully receiving power? Also, are the heatsinks warm to the touch? Even at idle the heatsinks should feel warm to the touch usually.

13

General Discussion / Re: About the Lasershark projector

« on: September 19, 2018, 01:51:04 PM »

For a prototype you could use wood/screws and thin cardboard (i.e. cereal box) to shim/align items. If you have access to a 3-d printer you could design a mount that way.

I personally have not used openlase under windows 10. I have also only compiled lasershark_jack for Linux which is needed to use a LaserShark with OpenLase.

While it is important to match PSU voltages it is not a problem if your power supply can supply more current than the laser/etc designate. Normally when I spec I PSU for a project I make sure the current rating is at least 20% higher than what the circuit calls for.

14

General Discussion / Re: About the Lasershark projector

« on: September 13, 2018, 11:54:34 PM »

A TTL laser will let you turn the laser on or off. An analog laser will let you make the laser brighter or dimmer. This is useful as it would allow you to have different line brightnesses in a lasershow. For example if you spelled out LASER, you could make the L very bright while the R could be made very dimm.

You can also make the laser look brighter or dimmer by turning it on/off very quickly with a ttl laser too but to make this happen with a lasershark you would need more hardware.

2.Emitter subsystem: At first we found this.520nm Green Laser Diode Module
It is straightly powered by a DC input power supply optional. But we found that it has no TTL modulation or analog modulation.

While you could use this laser, it would have to always be on (because there is no way for the lasershark to control it). I would not recommend this as the beam can still look very bright if the galvos are not moving. There will also be traces between shapes

And here are some other alternative lasers(feels hard to find a 5mW or about ones. ):
     _{1.w/12V AC Adapter 515nm 520nm 50mw Grass Green Laser LINE Module Osram LD TTL}

This is a line laser module As opposed to drawing a dot, it draws a line. You would not want this

     _{2.10mW 515-520nm Direct Diode Green Laser Module (Adjustable Focus) with TTL Modulation (12V)}

This one would be OK. It is greater than 5mW and would require a variance in the U.S. in some use scenarios. To make it dimmer you may be able to adjust the potentiometer but be careful as you can also make it brighter if you turn it the wrong way. You may find the block-format the laser is in very helpful for mounting reasons (you will have to align the laser with the galvo mirrors carefully)

I like that this unit has a fan too. I also see LaserLands sells these for a little cheaper (this is not an endorsement for laserlands):
https://www.laserlands.net/diode-laser-module/520nm-laser-module/3350-520d.html

They also have a 20mW laser that could likely be dialed down power-wise 20mW would still be very bright for your application:
https://www.laserlands.net/diode-laser-module/520nm-laser-module/focusable-515nm-20mw-green-laser-module-osram-ld-in-12v.html

3.Scanning subsystem:
     <sub>1.40Kpps High Speed galvo scanner for laser show lighting/RGB Laser system ScannerIt says that it acquires the "Deflection angle: max 70° optical (factory calibration @±25°)" and we are not sure whether it is enough to project patterns in the height of 1-1.5m to the 2-3m far distance from where it is set.

     2.
30Kpps HightSpeed Galvo scanner for Laser light show or 3D printer (max50Kpps)
It looks like that all the galvos detailers have the similar description of the spec details</sub>

I would recommend using geometry compute how wide a scan angle you need. Both of these galvos kits seem more expensive than they should be.

4.And some cables or board to set them up. Or maybe a laser glasses?

Safety glasses are a great idea. You will need to purchase glasses according to the wavelength of light you will be using. They usually protect against one or more ranges. I.e these pair covers 190-540nm with an OD5 rating:
https://www.survivallaser.com/Eagle_Pair_190540nm_OD5_Standard_Laser_Safety_Goggles/p556088_2780808.aspx

Frequently the galvos kits come with the cables to connect the gavo amplifiers to the Lasershark. I would reccomend waiting for those to come in before buying cables. You should start thinking about making a mount to align the laser with the galvo mirrors.

15

General Discussion / Re: About the Lasershark projector

« on: September 09, 2018, 12:16:28 PM »

In the U.S. anything 5mW and over requires a variance. A 400mW laser would not be responsible to use in this application as it is both extremely dangerous and far too bright to look at!

For experimentation I would suggest a 4.999mW 520nm laser. I would suggest a 520nm direct drive vs a 532nm DPSS laser as you do not need to worry about leaky infrared light:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR1Ku5dnbH8
532DPSS lasers are also sensitive to temperature and can take a while to heat up if operated in a cold environment. 
Human eyes are particularly sensitive to green light so you do not need much (In a darker room I have used a 520nm projected on a projection screen 5M away to demonstrate lasers to students).

Galvos are usually sold as a kit consisting of the galvo, galvo amplifier, and power supply so you will not need to worry about matching these. You will need to determine the necessary KPPS (kilo-points per second) rating of the galvo. This will be dependent on how complex your shapes are. The faster the galvos are, the more traces per second you can draw and this will reduce "flickering" of the images.
Since you will be projecting images onto a surface in close proximity to the ground you will also need to account for the maximum galvo angle your galvos support.