Wednesday 15 September 2010

DIY Laser projector

So yes! Hello!!! This time I built a laser projector, it was built using a toy laser pointer, a pillbox, a cooler fan and an arduino microcontroller.



Check out this video if you want to see it in motion (note that its a bit dark, but towards the end I turn on the lights)




Here is how it works!


In the picture below you can see the whole setup, the heptagon is a pillbox, its sitting on top of a cooling fan so it spins very quickly. Each side of the pillbox has a mirror that reflects the laser beam onto the screen.



Because the mirrors are moving the reflected laser dot sweeps the screen from left to right, because it does it very quickly your eyes actually see an horizontal solid line, in this case you see 7 lines one on top of the other because the each mirror is at an angle.

So I would get something like this:

-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------

if I turn off the laser at the right time, I could get to display something like this

-- -- -------- -- -- ----- --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -- -- -- -- --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
-- -- -------- ------- -------- ----- --


Then with a little bit of software magic you can get the text to scroll, wave, and so on.

We are not there yet!

The spinning speed of the fan is very critical, any slowdown will cause the image to wobble, that is why I put this fins on the pillbox, when they spin they pass thought an optical sensor (pretty much like the one elevators have to keep its doors open when people leave or enter the elevator) A micro controller can use this data to compute the fan speed and adjust the laser blinking to the image looks correct.

Tricky part! (warning quite geeky stuff coming up!)

So how does the micro controller know when is the first mirror coming? The fins, because I glued them myself by hand, are not really equally spaced, some are closer that the others, the micro controller notices this and uses this info to tell which one is the first mirror... for example the two fins before the first mirror are a bit closer than the others.

That's all, I hope you enjoyed!


Other Laser projectors:

http://heim.ifi.uio.no/haakoh/avr/

121 comments:

  1. wow! buenísimo tu proyecto, te felicito, desconozco si ahorita hay concursos de Arduino, pero sin duda este sería un ganador. Saludos

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very Cool!

    Help me understand, each mirror is at a different angle so that each mirror steps the beam down to the next line. Correct?

    So, as the projector is moved away from the screen to lines move apart. Is this a problem at all?

    Very nicely done,
    Jim

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yeah!! What is amazing is your project, you public de source code?

    ReplyDelete
  4. @James Kemp, the trick is to unfocus the laser so you get the laser beam to spread a bit, that way the lines don't move apart

    @Francisco, yeah I can publish the source code, its quite simple. Publishing the source code would remove part of the fun which is to figure out things oneself :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. could the code not be simplified by using equal flag spacing, but making #1 be either wider or cutting a notch in it so it makes a double tap?

    ReplyDelete
  6. It is so cool !!! In the future i want to do one !!!! xDDD

    Thanks for idea !!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sweet!

    My next project then.

    I played with spinning offset mirrors and lasers years ago. Now - time to throw a "brain" into the mix (Will be Netduino though, my current fad :) )

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awesome! Will Try

    Must have been a pain to orient the 6 mirrors...!

    wouldn't having 6 lasers in a line instead make it easier?

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Chaitanya Chintaluri adjusting the mirrors was not such a big pain, the pillbox helped me a lot! I thought about having more lasers, my next step will be to add a second laser and see how it goes.. that woudl get me 14 lines of vertical resolution!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh please give a hit to the source code. For an old RPG prgrammer try to learn the Arduino!

    lee DOT alder AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Is it blinking as on video in real? Or it's just slow camera? How much RPM does the fan have?

    ReplyDelete
  12. BTW i just wonder how does this look when projecting on some more distant surface (eg.: 7-10 meters away). Can you please add some photos of maximal distances (during night is OK) that you are capable to project from? I know it will look bit lo-fi, but i guess the text will be still readable...

    ReplyDelete
  13. @Harvie

    As for the blinking, this is the same blinking you get when you point with your camcorder to your tv, to the eye it looks fine

    As for how far can it project, the farther the projector is from teh screen the more the energy of the laser gets spread, so at 1.5 meter of distance I get huge letters (.5meters) but I need the room to be perfectly dark, I'll try to get some pics!

    ReplyDelete
  14. >so at 1.5 meter of distance I get huge letters (.5meters)

    you can reduce the angle of mirrors

    > but I need the room to be perfectly dark

    you can buy some cheap green laser pointer toy with slightly higher power

    > I'll try to get some pics!

    THX :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. thank you for sharing this. I'll keep an eye for more pics

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ohh man!
    I had been wanting to do this for ages!
    And you beat me to it ;)
    Nice work!
    The mirrors at different angles is a fantastic idea!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks!! The idea of tilting the mirrors in not mine though :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. with regards to monitoring the fan, could you not have used the hall sensor in the fan? Assuming it's a 3-wire fan.

    ReplyDelete
  19. No probs :)
    I think I have very similar code to yours in my POV at the moment... it doesn't have any multiplexing... just clock, data, and latch (uses shift registers).

    Over the next few days I am going to try and update the image data somehow wirelessly... either via rf or via ir... so that I can change the picture without having to reflash my avr - and hopefully without having to stop the POV rotating.

    Just got to get my head around how to pump out data from my computer to the avr, and get the avr to store the data in an eeprom!

    cheers from australia :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  21. awesome project !

    um ive a few question. did you cut the sides of the pillbox ? and how do you unfocus the laser ?

    ReplyDelete
  22. ah nvm,
    your picture explains my question

    ReplyDelete
  23. can u post circuit design for this??

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great Work guy ! I was looking for such kind impressive project and got it. Will definitely try it. Seriously, this would be amazing project for me.
    business card scanners

    ReplyDelete
  25. great project. could you please send me the code and schematic to try it by my self...

    ReplyDelete
  26. can u please mail the source code??? we are trying to implement this in our college...if u can please help us then reply soon....v tried hard to gt an idea bt didnt gt.

    ReplyDelete
  27. hey please send me full project report of DIY Laser projector.

    i eager to make this please send on

    vivek98260@gmail.com ....

    ReplyDelete
  28. COOL project!! :-). I've never done any programming in my life. I'm sure it's fun and I like to learn on my own so I agree with you on why you didn't share your code. But could you at least let me know what arduino model you used? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  29. What arduino model did you use? Could you let me know? Cool project!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Could you send me the source code? I'd like to build this and would like at least a head start.
    dmd@3e.org

    ReplyDelete
  32. My source code,
    http://code.google.com/p/aguaviva-libs/source/browse/arduino/sketches/laserpojector/laserpojector.pde

    please drop me a line if you do something fun with it :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. wow, very cool and cleanly done! I will try building asap :)

    how do you feel this method compares to others such as the spectrabeat, and/or tinyprojector?

    would really love your thoughts/input.

    Regards, -David
    andeanmusic@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. This is cool, can you help me make this?

    How would you code this?

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is cool, can you help me make this?

    How would you code this?

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love this project!!
    I'm doing it on my own!

    Thanks for the idea!

    ReplyDelete
  37. hi raul great job my freind
    i appreciate what you have done

    i am working with something commercial , and if you like we can work togather on something

    this is my email
    ikazever at gmail : com

    contact me for more details
    i will wait for you email
    and thanks for advance

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love this!! I'm going to have a go - the temptation is just too much to resist!

    Even if I can't get it working I reckon I can get the parts for less than £15. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Excelent! Go for it and let me know how it goes! :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. hi dear

    I need your help. please send me project Schematic (Laser video projector http://heim.ifi.uio.no/haakoh/avr/) such as proteus file, image of schematic, pcb file or any something for me at hanybol@gmail.com

    the project very wonderful for University project







    thank you

    ReplyDelete
  41. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Very nice project! I am going to realize it for the school. Some hints in order to build it? I am using mirrors at difference angles, but I can not be able to realize the base to put mirrors up...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used a pillbox. As for the hints, I already wrote all the hints I could think of in this blog post :)

      Delete
  43. Mr.Raul
    can you tell me which type of micro controller and fan that you used in your project :)



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used an arduino and a regular fan I took from a broken computer, nothing special

      Delete
    2. Mr.Raul ..I work on this project as my graduation project ,but I have a serious problem in calculating the time for the revolution ,since i calculated it by using analog sensor (Infrared Line Track Follower Sensor Shield.) by putting a white line at the beginning of the first mirror ,then i calculated the time by a function (microsecond()) in arduin by recording the time which needed by the sensor to read the the value of the white surface twice then i divede the result on 7 ,,after that i make a test to make the laser to turn on for a specific time and turn off for another time ,,but the result i get not correctly and i can't specify the problem exactly but i thought that the problem may be in sensor ,,,,can you help me in my problem ..please MR ..my email : ola.nasralla@gmail.com

      Delete
    3. Hi Ola, I recommend using an optoelectronic switch. Its fast and simple to use. It is all really well explained in the blog entry, if you have any questions please explain exactly at what point do you get stuck :) Good luck :)

      Delete
  44. Hello Raul, how are you doing? I am a brazilian student and i'm trying to do a project just like yours but I have a doubt. In wich port the cooler fan is plugged in? And can you send me a picture of the electric system of the arduino connected to the other parts?
    I will be very grateful with your attention. Thank you,
    Jordi G. Gimenez - gimbernaujordi@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fan is just connected directly to the power supply, 5V in my case.

      Delete
  45. Raul, what is the function of the second laser in the program? I understand that the first one is the laser that is reflected in the mirrors. How about the second one ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Second laser? There is no second laser, there is only one :)

      Delete
  46. Hello Raul! Great project. I have a few doubts regarding your project.
    1. How do you make the micro-controller to display the entered characters onto the screen. In short, how did you interface between the micro-controller and the computer?
    2. The pillbox serves no purpose other than holding the mirrors together, right?
    3. As far as this source code is concerned, can it display all the characters we've entered?
    4. Did you use a Laser diode driver?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Bharath,

      1) The computer just provides power, all the logic is in the Arduino.
      2) Correct, it is just a frame to hold the mirrors
      3) not sure what you mean
      4) Nope, I think I just used a transistor (or maybe nothing I don't remember)

      Good luck :)

      Delete
  47. Hi again! We can do this project by 2 ways: 1. Fixing the mirror at different angles 2. Regulating the vertical motion of the laser. Correct me if I'm wrong. The code in both the cases will be different I guess. What changes do you suggest for the 2nd method's code?
    Also, the orientation of the mirrors solely is to get 7 distinct lines right? How do you make the mirrors to orient at these angles? And where do you implement this in the code?
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Mr Raul
    What is the laserpin2 that you are using in your code?
    where does it connected to?
    I'm confusing about those.please help me.
    prasangam1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi Raul,
    I'm searching for a way to laser project dynamic text onto a wall for an art project. I would like to get in contact with you, perhaps your project is suitable and we could work together. I would like to tell you more about the project, you drop me a line on info [at] jeroenvanloon .dot. com ?

    ReplyDelete
  50. I love this project. I wonder what it would look like if you use eight lasers and one mirror. http://tinyurl.com/paj8rfp

    ReplyDelete
  51. A laser is light and a mirror reflects light so will the mirror reflect the laser because it is light or is it possible that the laser has enough power to simply burn through the mirror.
    Spawr Industries

    ReplyDelete
  52. hiii rahul i am lokesh i am final year engineering student i am doing this as my final year projec..so i want to talk with you so can you please rply to this mail lokeshgowda592@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I need to talk to you for a project we want to make for a brand. How can I contact you?

    ReplyDelete
  54. It’s great and thanks for sharing about the DIY Laser projector, it will grateful for people who want to know about the best DIY Laser projector. Also, you provided informative information, thanks for sharing it!
    Laser light projector

    ReplyDelete
  55. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Did anyone try to project pc screen on this?

    ReplyDelete
  57. There is so much in this article that I would never have thought of on my own. Your content gives readers things to think about in an interesting way. Thank you for your clear information. Best Christmas Laser Lights Projector Review

    ReplyDelete
  58. Been looking for such an amazing web journal like this for quite a while.
    best-christmas-laser-lights-projectors

    ReplyDelete
  59. Fantastic blog article.Much thanks again. Awesome. sheet metal work

    ReplyDelete
  60. Eyal Nachum is a fintech guru and a director at Bruc Bond. Eyal is the architect of the software that SMEs use to do cross-border payments.



    Eyal Nachum

    ReplyDelete
  61. Bruc Bond - Bruc Bond endeavor to lead the financial sector with sustainability, customizable product offering, and open communication. At Bruc Bond we aim to make 21st century banking straightforward, simple, and transparent.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Bruc Bond - Bruc Bond endeavor to lead the financial sector with sustainability, customizable product offering, and open communication. At Bruc Bond we aim to make 21st century banking straightforward, simple, and transparent.



    Bruc Bond

    ReplyDelete
  63. Bruc Bond endeavor to lead the financial sector with sustainability, customizable product offering, and open communication. At Bruc Bond we aim to make 21st century banking straightforward, simple, and transparent.



    Bruc Bond

    ReplyDelete
  64. A cardiologist is a specialist with unique preparing and ability in finding,
    treating and forestalling maladies of the heart and veins.



    know more

    ReplyDelete
  65. p30 pro price in malaysia
    Just pure brilliance from you here. I have never expected something less than this from you and you have not disappointed me at all. I suppose you will keep the quality work going on.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Finance is a broad term that describes activities associated with banking, leverage or debt, credit, capital markets, money, and investments. ... Finance also encompasses the oversight, creation, and study of money, banking, credit, investments, assets, and liabilities that make up financial systems



    more

    ReplyDelete
  67. Your work here on this blog has been superb from day 1. you've got been continously imparting great articles for us all to study and i
    just wish which you keep it happening within the future as properly. Cheers!



    Newspaper Magazine Theme Free Download

    ReplyDelete
  68. Financial technology (Fintech) is used to describe new tech that seeks to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services. ​​​At its core, fintech is utilized to help companies, business owners and consumers better manage their financial operations




    Bruc Bond

    ReplyDelete
  69. highest interest savings accounts in the world
    Hello! I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice info you've got right here on this post. I will probably be coming back to your weblog for more soon

    ReplyDelete
  70. Nose congestion: breathe again thanks to Noson
    A stuffy nose is a typical daily problem, especially in the cold season. However, many people are particularly affected by this problem due to anatomical malformations of the nose or functional disorders.



    naso chiuso

    ReplyDelete
  71. country inn and suites
    The web site is lovingly serviced and saved as much as date. So it should be, thanks for sharing this with us.

    ReplyDelete
  72. 먹튀검증
    I'm now not sure the place you are getting your information, but good topic. I must spend a while finding out more or understanding more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be searching for this info for my mission.

    ReplyDelete
  73. 토토사이트
    That's what makes you the best. You should keep publishing more articles and you will Such Become One of the best writers ever

    ReplyDelete
  74. Web streamlining implies the path toward making a website continuously perceptible on a web crawler's results page. To clarify, a staggering SEO philosophy will put an association's site at the top of the summary on a Google search page, along these lines improving the likelihood that people will visit the site.



    http://blog.5euros.eu/post/169844706116/guillaume-guersan-2017-5euros

    ReplyDelete
  75. In excess of a site, we are building an effective and customized advanced methodology.
    We exhort, we support, we co-pilot ...
    Our job is to acquire an outcome in accordance with your goals.



    agence web blois tribu and co

    ReplyDelete
  76. I love your blog.. vdry pleasant hues and topic. Did you make this site ourself or did you recruit somebody to do it for you? Plz answer ass I'm looking also structure my own bpog and would likme to discover where u got this from. much appreciated о



    Situs Pkv Games Online Terpercaya

    ReplyDelete
  77. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well.. 가입머니

    ReplyDelete
  78. Your advertising budget is also very important. It depends on the promotion channels we use and on what date.
    As you can see, managing SEM campaigns requires knowledge and experience.




    website audit in costa rica

    ReplyDelete
  79. 우리카지노
    Amazing knowledge and I like to share this kind of information with my friends and hope they like it they why I do.

    ReplyDelete
  80. บาคาร่า

    Amazing knowledge and I like to share this kind of information with my friends and hope they like it they why I do.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Though if it has been aged for fewer than three years, it can’t legally be called whiskey here in Europe).
    The spirit can’t be distilled to more than 80% ABV. And bourbon must be bottled at 40% ABV or more.




    Michter's Celebration Sour Mash

    ReplyDelete
  82. There are many different roles for pharmacy technicians in a hospital pharmacy. I know this type of pharmacy best since this is where most of my work has been. The most common are technicians who work in the central pharmacy. In addition we have decentralized techs,



    https://chemprescriptions.com/product/buy-amphetamine-powder-online/

    ReplyDelete
  83. To clean the backglass of your pinball machine, wipe it gently with a damp cloth. You should only use regular water to clean a backglass,
    as any chemical cleaner is likely to damage the backglass and lead to more peeling or discoloration.



    USED PINBALL MACHINES FOR SALE

    ReplyDelete


  84. Thanks for sharing What an interesting site you have i really take a good look buy cocaine online and you can also take a good look at our blog too for more information buy crack cocaine online we also recommend you to take a good look at this site too they have good content more of the site still want you to take a closer look too as they have really good content thanks for using your time to check on the link .order cocaine online

    ReplyDelete
  85. Men's wedding bands
    Really nice and interesting post. I was looking for this kind of information and enjoyed reading this one.

    ReplyDelete
  86. 너의 정보는 나에게 매우 유용했다. 그게 바로 내가 찾던 거야토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  87. That is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
    Short but very accurate info… Appreciate
    your sharing this one. A must read post한국야동

    ReplyDelete
  88. Team designs is a leading 3D Interior design company and we offer 3D Interior rendering services that provide a fast, cost-effective solution for bringing your project to life. We deliver 3D Interior rendering design for both commercial and residential projects.
    3D Interior Rendering

    ReplyDelete
  89. A roman blinds does provide an effective and solid kind of pattern fabrics which is suitable for the living rooms and bedrooms respectively. A way of decorating your home windows with defined
    size and custom size from the number one service in Melbourne in the name of Australian Window covering service.
    roman blinds

    ReplyDelete
  90. It was nice to be on the website here. I will come back often in the future. Good day!부산출장안마

    ReplyDelete
  91. It is very good, but look at the information at this address. 토토

    ReplyDelete
  92. I suggest just great as well as dependable info, therefore view it: 먹튀

    ReplyDelete
  93. It was nice to be on the website here. I will come back often in the future. Good day! 파워볼

    ReplyDelete
  94. It is very good, but look at the information at this address. 놀이터

    ReplyDelete
  95. I have noticed this weblog. 사설토토사이트 Lastly something not a junk, which we undergo incredibly frequently.

    ReplyDelete
  96. As expected, I can only see articles that can grow. I ll let you know around me. 카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  97. Are you looking for the best help desk services in UAE
    Visit our website:


    https://bahrainhelplinegroup.com/company-formation-in-bahrain/

    ReplyDelete
  98. Are you looking for the best helpline services in UAE then you are at the right place now.
    We will do all the supporting and assistance to our clients any documents filling, passport application, attestation.. etc
    visit our website :
    https://bahrainhelplinegroup.com/company-formation-in-bahrain/

    ReplyDelete
  99. Hello, I am one of the most impressed people in your article. 먹튀검증 What you wrote was very helpful to me. Thank you. Actually, I run a site similar to you. If you have time, could you visit my site? Please leave your comments after reading what I wrote. If you do so, I will actively reflect your opinion. I think it will be a great help to run my site. Have a good day.


    ReplyDelete
  100. Hello, I read the post well. casino online It's a really interesting topic and it has helped me a lot. In fact, I also run a website with similar content to your posting. Please visit once


    ReplyDelete
  101. I am very impressed with your writing안전놀이터추천 I couldn't think of this, but it's amazing! I wrote several posts similar to this one, but please come and see!


    ReplyDelete
  102. I have been looking for articles on these topics for a long time. 카지노사이트 I don't know how grateful you are for posting on this topic. Thank you for the numerous articles on this site, I will subscribe to those links in my bookmarks and visit them often. Have a nice day


    ReplyDelete
  103. This is the perfect post.슬롯사이트 It helped me a lot. If you have time, I hope you come to my site and share your opinions. Have a nice day.


    ReplyDelete
  104. lookmovie
    Your good knowledge and kindness in playing with all the pieces was very useful. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not encountered such a step like this

    ReplyDelete
  105. As I am looking at your writing, 온카지노 I regret being unable to do outdoor activities due to Corona 19, and I miss my old daily life. If you also miss the daily life of those days, would you please visit my site once? My site is a site where I post about photos and daily life when I was free.


    ReplyDelete
  106. Don't go past my writing! Please read my article only once. Come here and read it once 카지노사이트


    ReplyDelete
  107. Please post useful information often. We will continue to visit in the future. Have a good day. 토토검증

    ReplyDelete
  108. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog.
    An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back. Please also visit my website.

    https://www.ox700.com/라이브카지노/

    ReplyDelete
  109.  In this profession, individuals are assisted through non-surgical, in-office methods such as injectables and skincare treatments. Aesthetic nurses usually collaborate with plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists, participating in pre- and post-operative care associated with plastic surgery, and administering care to patients under the supervision of a doctor. medical licensing in texas

    ReplyDelete