Variance for Projector with homebuilt Lasers

[cfavreau]

Does anyone have any experience with or know anything about getting a variance for a projector that contains homebuilt diode and DPSS lasers? From what I have read it appears that it will be very difficult... I would prefer that it not be though...

I have done a little bit of reading so if I missed something please let me know.

[buffo]

It's a pain in the ass, that's for sure. There are a few of us in the process right now. But there are several people here who have applied for and received variances for their home-built projectors, so it's not impossible. (Just time-consuming.)

Basically you need to file a Laser Product Report and a Variance Application. The Laser Product Report is the bitch. It's 30-something pages long, and you'll have several supporting documents that you'll need to add to it. (Including an operators manual for the projector.)

Adam

[Displaser]

Don't the lasers used have to be certified apart from the projector?, or is it possible to obtain an accession number for a projector using non-certified lasers as long as all safety compliance requirements are met once assembled into a final product (projector)? From what I've read, it looks like you are agreeing in the variance application submitted that you will use only certified lasers in your projector, or is this the case only if the lasers are "removable"?

Aside from home-built lasers, I've wondered about the lasers from CNI - on their web site they claim their lasers are FDA certified.

Can anyone confirm the above?

Greg

[buffo]

If you fill out a laser product report, you are certifying that everything meets the requirements. In effect, you become the manufacturer. At that point you can do whatever you want to the inside of the projector, because you're going to have to certify the whole thing anyway.

There is a section in the laser product report that specifically asks if any of the lasers inside have accession numbers already. If so, then you don't have to document much for the lasers. If not, then you have more crap to fill out, because you have to document what you have done to bring them into compliance. (Mostly labeling stuff.) You also have to document what you've done to warrant granting an accession number to the entire projector.

So yes, you can build a projector out of home-made lasers and still get a variance. It just takes a little more work.

Adam

[allthatwhichis]

So yes, you can build a projector out of home-made lasers and still get a variance. It just takes a little more work.

Adam

he said "little"...

[cfavreau]

Thanks very much for all of your answers/advice. I am really stoked about getting my projector certified. I am sure it will be a lot of work but will be totally worth it.

Thanks again!

[slicklasers]

You can use any laser you want if you put it in a projector that has a variance. Just incorporate the time delay, interlock, shutter, and relay into the projector and the laser can be anything you want, even home built.