A question regarding lasers...

[Darcean]

Hello, I'm quite new to this forum, but i have a question regarding costs as I am starting to price out what I need..

What is the average cost to buy 1 watt or greater laser modules/diodes(445nm blue, 532nm Green, 637-640nm red)?

Another question, Which site would be the best place to look for parts? I've found several, but I would like the say of people on this forum to give me a good place to start.


Thank you for your patience and time! =)

[Song]

hi, welcome to the forum.
It is hard to tell you the cost without knowing more about your need.
But recommend CNI laser diode for you.

[planters]

Hello,
You will get a lot more useful guidance if you describe what you are looking to build and what you want to do with it. Don't worry about being precise, just give as much info as you can.

[Darcean]

Well, what I would like to build is a RGB laser projector of about 3 watts or more. I know thats pretty vague, but it does give you an idea of what I want to do.

[taggalucci]

Can you let us know what your priorities are in terms of:

• Cost
• Quality
• Amount of DIY

Can you also indicate your level of experience with lasers, metalwork and general DIY?

[Darcean]

Alrighty, well in terms of cost, I'd say about $5,000 maximum at the current moment. In terms of quality, mid-end quality, high end might be outside my budget range.

We(Its two others, and myself) will probably be building most of it(laser modules excluded), but I also wonder if it'd be cheaper to buy the diodes without the module encasements, and build the modules ourselves.


My level of experience with lasers is non-existent, except as a stage-hand setting up a 2w RGB and 2 500mw greens for a buddy of mine. Metalwork is being handled by another, and the level of DIY(non-laser wise, but engineering wise) is great, but this will be the first laser we will build.

[dsli_jon]

..and.. in the USA or.. ?? ..makes a bit of difference on 'complexity' / effort-level, if you plan on doing public / for-pay shows, vs just at-home / private-use...

..the US is a bit of a 'PITA' but.. you're in the best place on the web for guidance / help, every-step of the way...

cheers..
j

[Darcean]

Yes, im in the USA, and I understand the legal hurdles you have to jump through to do public shows.



But yes, I am planning on using this laser at for-pay shows once it is fully built and tested.

Thanks! i hope to pick your brains while we build this haha =)

[dsli_jon]

Hey D -

Yes, im in the USA, and I understand the legal hurdles you have to jump through to do public shows.

Cool.. Of course, as I always do I'll introduce-you to our 'local-resource for all the 411'... http://www.photonlexicon.com/wiki/in...fety_Overviews
and, this PDF - http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Medical.../UCM119257.pdf ..in-particular, is very-helpful - simple, straightforward, and helps you quickly 'make sense' of the whys / wherefores, and basic 'what's, you'll need to pay-attention-to, as you work your way thru the 'process' of building a safe / legal-rig, and getting Varianced, etc...

..but, if I can be of at least some 'encouragement' - it's not as 'daunting' as it may first-seem.. time-consuming, yes, but there are already several PL-members that have set great-examples by building compliant-rigs, and have even made it thru the Cert-process / at-least the initial-report / filing, etc.. Point is - it *is* 'doable'...

See you're in Cali.. SoCal? NorCal? Let us know.. lots of good / helpful / on the ball 'brothers', here in PL, that will be happy to help, as-able..
Anyhoo, here's to your 'trek'...

ciao...
j

[smogthemog]

Jon, I gotta admit I do find your posts sometimes funny BUT extremely hard to read/decipher
Keep it up Sir

[Darcean]

Socal area =) and thank you for those resources, I will definitely be referring to them as we build this.

and thank you for the encouragement! =)

[dsli_jon]

@ smog... ...Umm, try reading after a glass of good-Scotch?? cheers..

@ Dar.. cool.. our shop is in Van Nuys... PM-me sometime, and we can chat the whole ball-o-wax, sometime..

ciao..
j

[Darcean]

@jon: awesome! i'll try to keep in touch then!

[Darcean]

anyways, is CNI reliable?


NM... i think i found a place where i can find most of everything i need module wise =) woo! its a member on this site too(CT Lasers)

[taggalucci]

anyways, is CNI reliable?

Probably the most reliable of the Chinese manufactures. They're a large well established manufacturer and produce many different lasers. I have a few of their lasers and they've all been reliable. I received one that wasn't outputting up to spec. Although I had to pay shipping to return it, they replaced it quickly under warranty and the replacement has been fine.

There are others here with greater experience than I of how CNI's lasers perform over time under heavier use. But I think ultimately, unless you are willing to spend big on Coherent, Kvant, RGB Laser Systems, Melles Griot etc, you'll be fine with CNI.