Hello everyone!
This project was announced this project at SELEM 14 in August. I started working on this project in the summer of 2021. The video of my SELEM presentation should be available real soon. But a lot has happened since August, and it's time I share this with everyone here on PL.
I have created an entirely self-contained device based on ESP-32 that runs test patterns, lumia cues, static beams, and ILDA files/animations to any ILDA compatible laser projector. Controlable via Bluetooth with a mobile app, and/or any web browser over WiFi using the internal web server.
How this started:
- Wanted a basic Lumia cue that was a very slow beam through a diffraction grating or along a rotating torture tube
- Did not want to use an Computer+FB3+Beyond just for a simple slow moving beam - I still needed Beyond to run other content
- Also wanted to produce test patterns without a Computer+FB3+Beyond for bench testing, alignment, tuning, etc.
What is it?
- ESP32 (dual core microcontroller)
- Version 1 units (available now) have 3 MCP4922 Dual 12-bit DACs for X,Y,R,G,B and Shutter
- Version 2 units will have:
- One MCP4922 Dual 12-bit DAC for X and Y
- One MCP4902 Dual 8-bit DAC for Red and Green
- Two internal 8-bit DACs for Blue and Shutter
- +/-5v bipolar power supply
- Two TL084 Op-Amps
- Adjustment pots for X and Y Gain and Offset
- DB-25 ILDA Out
- Built-in 4-line OLED status display
- Powered by any 5volt USB source or a portable USB battery pack
- Integrated SD card included to store ILDA files (can support up to 32GB)
Features
- Entirely self-contained; no computer needed
- Slightly larger than an FB3 (see last photo above)
- Control over Bluetooth via iOS or Android mobile app
- Control over WiFi from any web browser via built-in webserver and web app
- 12 common test patterns
- Adjustable scan settings (Scan rate, Scan size, X/Y offset, Blanking Shift, Brightness, invert/flip XY axis)
- 40k scan rate in non-point-optimized mode
- 70k scan rate in point-optimized mode (see video #2 below for info about the point-optimized mode)
- Static shapes and beams with adjustable brightness and color changing effects
- Upload your own custom ILDA files
- Supports frames and aminated ILDA files of any size
- Over-The-Air firmware updates
- Programmable! You can upload your own code to control the hardware using C++/Platform.io
- Comes pre-loaded with the PhotoLexicon ILDA FTP file library (over 1,800 Animated ILDA files, cues, patterns, and gobos from X-Laser)
Inspiration from several other ESP-32/Arduino Laser DAC projects:
- Instructables:Arduino Laser Show With Real Galvos by DeltaFlo
- ESP32 Laser Show by Atomic14
- OSLC by Chris Favreau
- OpenILDA DAC board by Arjan (RaspPi)
- ESP32 DAC by AshEvans81/ ElectronAsh (twitter)
You can see a full list of all the projects, libraries, and tools that helped me get this done here: https://ildac32.com/credits.php
I also wanted to thank buffo, araugh, Aberry, Cfavreau, Bradfo69, Telmnstr, Ekeefe, and DZ for their invaluable help along the way!
Future Enhancements/Ideas
- Etherdream Emulator over WiFi coming soon!
- OSC Server/Client
- DMX and MIDI control
- Several GPIO available for future enhancements
I have a few Version 1 units I'm selling for $149 including U.S. shipping. You can order one on my website here: https://ildac32.com/
Version 2 units will have a more professional enclosure and will be available depending on how many more people want one of these (and the supply chain).
Below are some intro videos showing how it works.
Let me know if you have any questions!
-Hank