Creating Laser Light Show

[JPKNHTP]

-JPKNHTP

[Newz2000]

On older HP laser printers the laser didn't move, there was instead a set of spinning mirrors shaped like a hexagon or octagon. I believe this is the way to go. Maybe it would be easier if you moved the laser up and down and then used a spinning mirror.<p>It looks like the encyclopedia has an article explaining it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_light_show<p>That article says something called a "Galvanometer" is used.

[Newz2000]

ebay: Search Laser Galvonometer 4 results. 3 Specifically for laser light shows.

[Chris Smith]

The mirror always moves.
A shutter is used for the on and off.
And the laser always stays on.<p>Modulated X-Y axis mirrors are controlled by a computer and the computer plays back a given pattern similar to the way stepper motors move in a printer or plotter.<p>The mirrors can be driven by stepper motors, or coil energized speaker like drivers or linear actuators. <p>For a simple light show, glue a reflective surface to a common speaker cone and play sound through the speaker while bouncing the laser off of it. Some speaker cone are already aluminum so try one of those. <p>Front surface mirrors are always the choice preferred, as common mirrors refract through the glass twice while trying to reach the reflective surface and back.

[rshayes]

The "galvanometer" type of scanner refers to a type of moving mirror scanner. One of the more sensitive measuring devices available in the 1930's was a moving coil suspended on a torsion fiber with a mirror attached to it. This was often referred to as a galvanometer. A light beam was reflected off the mirror onto a graduated scale. Small versions of this were used as null detectors in portable Wheatstone bridges for resistance measurement up through the 1950's. Some chart recorders used the beam of light to record on photographic film or paper. With a small enough mirror, the frequency response could be pushed up to a few hundred hertz.<p>One company that used to make a heavy duty version of this for optical deflection is General Scanning. They appear to have merged with another company to form GSI Lumonics (www.gsig.com). Other companies probably make similar products. These are rather specialized items and prices are probably pretty high.

[Chris Smith]

If your into linear actuators, or even stepper motor control you can drive a few levers which actuate a mirror and give you a laser mirror assembly. <p>Then you need a computer program to step them like a printer or plotter, and for just a few bucks more you can build a mirror actuator assembly for under 25 to 30 bucks. <p>As long as you know how to control stepper motors, the X & Y axis can be had with simple mounts and levers to accelerate the mirror more, or less, based upon the steps in your stepper motor and the speed at which it operates.<p> Then you need to translate a code or program in the computer to drive these axis. <p>A front surface mirror [surplus] will cost you about 2 to 5 bucks, a couple of stepper motors [5 each?] and drivers [$5?], and your code or program for your computer. <p>It a good project and it can save you mega bucks.<p> A little bit of robotics, programming, and electronics all in one.

[JPKNHTP]

-JPKNHTP

[jwax]

What kind/color laser are you using?
Do include a shutter in the rare event that the beam positioning fails, and your beam goes awry. Read up on laser safety- it's much more involved than "Don't let the beam directly enter your eye".
Stay safe!

[Chris Smith]

If your using a GAS laser for a light show, which is the norm, [HeNe, Argon etc] they don’t "pulse" well and they take too long to restart and use way too much energy to restart. <p>And the caps overheat in the PS from all the slamming on and off.<p>A common camera type shudder can be almost instant, and take almost no power at all to operate. A simply flip up/down type is just as easy to build. <p>Also, you can bounce the up and down beam on one mirror assembly, and onto another mirror for left and right. One mirror doesn’t have to have both axis built in. <p>Unless you good in the machine shop, the two front surface mirrors are the easy way to go.

[JPKNHTP]

-JPKNHTP

[WilliamPep]

I have worked on several major concerts as a laborer for local unions. My job duties were normally to pick up the trash (water bottles, sweat towels, etc. etc.) off of the stage and place it in the trash cans, then empty the trash cans when they were full and then put new trash bags in the empty cans and put the cans back. I hvae witnessed many laser shows by some of the biggest companies in america. They are usually performed with the help of several people. After the sound companies are finished setting up the speakers, the laser company comes in and glues little squares mirrors to their speakers. Sometimes they glue the mirrors to the speakers before they raise the speakers in the air. Then the Laser company has like 4 people all dressed in black so the people in the audience can't see them. When the show starts the music is playing, they aim laser pointer pens at the mirrors glued on the speakers and when the speakers rattle to the music from the bass vibrations it makes kool designs reflect off of the mirrors. That is how they do it. I have seeen like 20 different big companies do it that way in major stadiums and sports arenas.