Best enclosure layout for airflow

Which components generate the most heat? Am I right in assuming that the laser diodes themselves do not generate a significant amount heat?

If that's true, it seems like a good enclosure layout would be two levels. The diodes, dichros, shutter, and any other optics would go on the bottom. Since heat rises, electronics, intake fans, and vents could go on the top. For an .5 to 1W RGB projector, I was thinking two filtered intake fans in the back and two vents on the front sides.

Is it a good idea to try to build some amount of isolation between the top and bottom levels to promote airflow and keep dust out of the optics?

Thanks for your ideas,
Mike

DPSS lasers can produce a significant amount of heat (especially blue lasers), some lose all of their heat through the baseplate via conduction, others use external heatsinks and/or fans, so it would depend on the individual module used.

Interesting about the blue DPSS generating more heat. I'm thinking about going with a 150-250mw blue DPSS, either from CNI or Laserwave.

I might be guitly of doing too much planning. I should probably pull the trigger and buy some lasers and experience a little.

Thanks Doc!
Mike

At those power levels, you should be fine with no more than a 80mm fan.. One thing to bear in mind is the scan amps will generate a lot more heat than the lasers

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Originally Posted by blowfly

Interesting about the blue DPSS generating more heat. I'm thinking about going with a 150-250mw blue DPSS, either from CNI or Laserwave.

I might be guitly of doing too much planning. I should probably pull the trigger and buy some lasers and experience a little.

Thanks Doc!
Mike

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Blue lasers are very inefficient so they need very powerful pump diodes; hence more heat.

As Dave said; the scanner amps will be a big source of heat, I didn't mention previously as you asked specifically about sealing off just the laser modules from the airflow.