Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Video P*r*o*b*i*n*g => Topic started by: DavidCousins on November 27, 2007, 09:32:49 PM
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I got it from ebay and it looked small and compact. Other folks on a laser scanner forum recommended this product.
http://www.david-laserscanner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=130
I'm looking forward to doing some scanning. I do have a laser level, but its just to big and the line width seems to wide for accuracy.
Dave
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AixiZ thanks you for your business and support. We show you as the purchaser
of the following:
Item title: 650nm 5mW laser module 3.2VDC line generator 650 nm OEM
Web address: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110133882634
Item number: 110133882634
Buyer User ID: ....
Seller User ID: aixiz_lasers
Your total is:
$8.00 per item
$0.00 insurance (not offered)
$0.00 Sales discounts (-) or charges (+)
$3.50 shipping/handling
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$11.50 = Total
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What are you using for a power supply?
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I also purchased from the same guy a 3.2 volt wall wart. I could have used a single LIPO 123 battery, but I took the easy way and bought the wall wart.
Gosh, I have so many wall warts in my basement, I could've probably found one instead of buying it, but it just so happens that I did a search for wall warts last weekend on another EE project and I don't remember running across a 3.2 volt supply. So I pulled the trigger on this purchase too.
Dave
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AixiZ thanks you for your business and support. We show you as the purchaser
of the following:
Item title: Power supply 110-240VAC 3.2VDC 500mA with clips
Web address: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110136388801
Item number: 110136388801
Buyer User ID: .....
Seller User ID: aixiz_lasers
Your total is:
$9.95 per item
$0.00 insurance (not offered)
$0.00 Sales discounts (-) or charges (+)
$3.50 shipping/handling
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$13.45 = Total
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Thanks David. I've been wanting to do some 3D scanning ever since I saw the Nextengine scanner but didn't want to put out that kind of money just to start playing around. Saw the David set up and bought a Micro$oft Life Cam VX 6000, it may be over-kill and may not work at all, BUT I could not find a good laser pointer and this may just be the thing to get. The price is good.
I'll get this set up and then look for software. (OUCH!!!) That's where you really get killed. Any ideas? I bought MACH3 so I've got that piece in place. I've got a new CNC machine in the build and a PC ready to be connected up. Would be fun to play with until the machine is finished. Next, we'll need a way to stitch the scans together for full 3D milling. ART???? are you listening? :D
Just downloaded Art's new plug in. This is going to be fun!
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What's the difference between the 650 nm and the 635 nm line generators?
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I believe the difference is color.
http://www.dialight.com/pdf/SolidStateLighting/MDEXLUMCLENGC_C-W.pdf
look on the second page for color distinctions.
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How do L.E.D.s and Laser compare? I'm lost now. :)
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I already said more then I should. Here's what I'm guessing to be your answer.
You will use a laser because it shines brighter and can be focused in a line. Any focused light source can be used, but the little lasers line projectors have the best focusing.
The 650 nm is the color's wave length in Nanometers. Each color has a different frequency (different number). Any color would work, but I'm using the red because it's there.
I'll let some smarter guys chime in and correct us both.
Here's a question for Art: For a red laser, what are the recommended settings set in your software. Contrast? Hue? Brightness? What is your recommended color for this project?
Dave
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I already said more then I should. Here's what I'm guessing to be your answer.
You will use a laser because it shines brighter and can be focused in a line. Any focused light source can be used, but the little lasers line projectors have the best focusing.
The 650 nm is the color's wave length in Nanometers. Each color has a different frequency (different number). Any color would work, but I'm using the red because it's there.
I'll let some smarter guys chime in and correct us both.
Here's a question for Art: For a red laser, what are the recommended settings set in your software. Contrast? Hue? Brightness? What is your recommended color for this project?
Dave
Dave,
As far as I'm concerned anything given in information is GREAT and if it's not right I'm sure someone will chime in. :) What you said makes sense to me. So go on and give your view.
I'll be ordering today and see if I can get to play with it next week-end. How has yours worked out?
Thanks,
Greg
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Here's a better page for color definition.
http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/EDDOCS/Wavelengths_for_Colors.html#red
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Same Laser available from here: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5928
Only $4.30 inc Shipping !
Bought a few items from them including Green Laser Pen (nice toy)
Phil.
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Darn!! And I just ordered off eBay!! Maybe next time! Thanks.
Greg
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Well, I got mine last night. At about 12 inches above a surface I can focus the line width down to about 1/64th of an inch. Now, at what rate of speed is the camera and laser moving across a surface for the scan?
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I got mine too. I didn't measure my line, but 1/64 of an inch is smaller then my laser's line. I'll measure it tonight. Maybe I'll get the camera and laser mounts made tonight too.
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I got mine too. I didn't measure my line, but 1/64 of an inch is smaller then my laser's line. I'll measure it tonight. Maybe I'll get the camera and laser mounts made tonight too.
Just turn the base until you get the thinnest line possible. The one I got does focus and can get as wide a 1/4" It is just too cool. Heck I have to get my machine built before I can mount anything. :)
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I wish I could find the wall wart on that web site.
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I wish I could find the wall wart on that web site.
Item title: Power supply 110-240VAC 3.2VDC 500mA with clips
Web address: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110136388801
Item number: 110136388801
Seller User ID: aixiz_lasers
There are 137 wall warts available according to this web site. Contact the seller. Search for this item number on his ebay store.
Here is the sales contact email. cmaricle@mfgcn.com
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I wish I could find the wall wart on that web site.
Item title: Power supply 110-240VAC 3.2VDC 500mA with clips
Web address: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110136388801
Item number: 110136388801
Seller User ID: aixiz_lasers
There are 137 wall warts available according to this web site. Contact the seller. Search for this item number on his ebay store.
Here is the sales contact email. cmaricle@mfgcn.com
I bought one from them.. I was just looking on that other web site for maybe a better deal. Thanks Now I need to find a good deal on a Web Cam.
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Now I need to find a good deal on a Web Cam.
I have a pretty old web cam. Circa 2000, I'm guessing. I'm wondering if this old camera is part of my problem. The frequent crashing and other issues. Or it could be the Alpha state of the hardware too. I'm looking forward to the next iteration of Art's software so I can find out.
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What's the difference between the 650 nm and the 635 nm line generators?
The human eye sensitivity to 635nm is about twice that of 650nm. This is shown in the data table at
http://heelspurs.com/a/led/tech_details.html
So for a human visual response, all other things being equal, I would choose a 635nm laser.
http://www.fairchildimaging.com/main/documents/CCD133ADataSheetRevA.pdf page 6, lower right corner, shows the spectral response of the Fairchild CCD133 1000 pixel line array. Peak responsivity is in the near infrared at about 780nm. 650nm responsivity is better than 635nm but not by much. This is typical of ccd arrays.
So for a CCD camera response, all other things being equal, I would choose a 650nm laser.
This is fortunate for laser triangulation since longer wavelengths are often easier to manufacture so less expensive.
Tom Hubin
thubin@earthlink.net
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Has anybody tried powering a 5 volt laser module from a USB port...either the same one that powers the webcam or a second USB port?
Tom Hubin
thubin@earthlink.net
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Hay me too
But I'm looking a targetting my drill press with one. I also got some burning lasers 180 mw to try cutting some modeling wax (still on the way) that meant I had to get the safety glasses too. I am going to mount it on my CNC Router. Got some small plastic lens for focusing. I was thinking about scanning. I was watching the diameter of the dot as a object was rotated using a PC camera bmp.
Think your right on the wave length.
I know a guy that got a Vinyl cutter and wants to use one to punch alignment holes in the vinyl decals to do overlays on those little racing remote control cars. What any of this has to do with 3D scanning ? I don't know but what your doing sounds interesting. I have a router and a lathe and I getting ready to put couple more of something together.
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I use lasers on my lathe/mill as home switches (shining onto detectors) but the cheapest laser I can get over here in the UK is from Maplin at £10 - 20$ - and it comes without any focusing. I have narrowed the beam by shining it down a 1mm dia hole about 1 inch long,
Are the lasers that you lads are getting - do they have any kind of focus device - so I could make my homing more accurate. I power mine from the 5 volt circuit for the rest of the home/limit switches. I could soon put another chip in to get down to 3.2v
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These are cheap and free postage too.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5914
Greg
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I use lasers on my lathe/mill as home switches (shining onto detectors) but the cheapest laser I can get over here in the UK is from Maplin at £10 - 20$ - and it comes without any focusing. I have narrowed the beam by shining it down a 1mm dia hole about 1 inch long,
Are the lasers that you lads are getting - do they have any kind of focus device - so I could make my homing more accurate. I power mine from the 5 volt circuit for the rest of the home/limit switches. I could soon put another chip in to get down to 3.2v
Hello jimpinder,
I use modules by Aixiz. Below is a link to their ebay auction for a $12, 635nm, 5mw, 3.2vdc module with adjustable lens and optional line or cross generator lens. They list some modules for 3-5vdc usage but sent me 3.2vdc modules when I ordered. When I got my refund they told me that they figure we can just use 3.2vdc modules at 5vdc. No thanks.
However, they do sell some 5vdc modules directly. Same module diameter of 12mm but various lengths. These seem to be leftovers so you need to call to and find out what they have.
Warning: The modules that I have used have had hot cases. V+ is tied to the case. It is common for one power lead or the other to be tied to a laser diode case. The diodes appear to be press fit into the metal cylinder. So you may need to mount the cylinder so that it is electrically isolated. I have covered mine with clear half inch diameter heat shrink tube. I chose clear so I could read the label.
http://cgi.ebay.com/635nm-5mW-laser-module-3-2VDC-w-adjustable-lens-635-nm_W0QQitemZ360074182311QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360074182311&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318
Tom Hubin
thubin@earthlink.net
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Hello,
Here are four photos of, or using, the laser module portion of my video probe.
The first photo shows the modified 5vdc, 5mw, 635nm laser module. I added a short USB cable with a USB A Male connector on the other end so that I can plug it into any USB port for power. Current draw is in the range of 20ma to 40ma so this presents no significant load on the USB power source. I got the module from Aixiz for about $20. They do not list this one on ebay. I wanted 5vdc. I had to settle for a module with TTL control because that is what they had. I wired the TTL control to 5vdc when I did the internal modifications.
The second photo is a closeup showing shrink tube around the module itself. I used half inch diameter clear shrink tubing. Clear so I can read the manufacturer's safety label on the module. The tubing isolates the electrically hot module case. The tubing also keeps the adjustable focus and line lenses from moving.
The third photo shows the laser module and laser light superimposed on the video probe drawing. This is how I focus the "collimating" lens and align the line generator lens. I slip the shrink tubing on first with just enough clearance that I can adjust the lenses. Once I am happy with the laser focus and line I then gently push the shrink tube over the lenses too. Then heat gun to shrink the tubing.
The fourth photo shows the assembled video probe with a common USB cable for the Watchport/V2 camera and a USB extension for the laser. This arrangement uses two USB ports at the computer. A USB hub can be used if there are not enough USB ports on the computer. The shrink tube covered laser module fits snugly in a half inch diameter hole. The line generator lens needs a little larger diameter hole but I chose to have that end of the laser module outside the hole, thereby avoiding the need to bore a more complicated hole.
A USB A male connector will not fit through a half inch diameter hole. So along the side nearest the laser module I have a 3/16 inch wide slit parallel to the laser module length. This allows me to insert the USB cable before I plug the hole with the laser module itself. I intend to use that slit as a clamping mechanism but on this prototype the module is held in place by two nylon 6-32, 3/8 inch long setscrews.
Several of the 1/8 inch diameter holes on the aluminum bar are alignment holes for fixtures to facilitate machining the aluminum bar.
Tom Hubin
thubin@earthlink.net