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Issues of The Laserist:
Summer 1999
Special Reports
Show News
Tech Focus
New Products
Safety
Special Report:
Interactive Laser Characters Come to Life
By
Robert Everton
Cramer Productions
Laser entertainment companies have used powerful lasers to create lifelike, entertaining images for decades. Now, through a mix of virtual reality equipment, custom laser projection software and live performers, these eye-catching images have truly come alive.
Cramer Productions of Norwood, Mass. USA, recently introduced the concept of laser characters to its corporate clients. A character can be a product, logo, cartoon personality, or celebrity caricature. The laser character is created much like the computer graphics characters used in television commercials and Saturday morning cartoons. But unlike prerecorded shows, the laser character is truly live and interactive. He (or she, or it) can engage in dialogue with the audience, tell jokes, introduce speakers and even morph into new shapes as needed. The operator of a laser character is similar to a puppeteer who pulls strings to manipulate a puppet—but instead of pulling strings, the laser operator uses high-tech virtual reality devices to manipulate the facial expression and body movements of the laser image.
While still relatively new to the market, the characters have already been used in high-profile applications. PricewaterhouseCoopers used a custom personification of its Vessel icon to host two meetings. The character greeted and entertained large audiences while introducing speakers, conveying key information and providing continuity from one presentation to the next. This freed meeting organizers from repeatedly going to the stage to make administrative announcements. The Vessel icon also created a unique branding opportunity and provided a natural vehicle for inside humor during the meeting. At a supercomputer trade show in Orlando, Fla., Hewlett Packard combined a laser character with video graphics to draw attention to their presentation area, explain their core technology, introduce speakers, manage giveaways and usher guests into the booth for demonstrations.
Although Cramer started with the corporate market, laser characters have applications in many other markets. As the star of a theme park attraction, a laser character provides a powerful attendance draw, especially to night crowds. For high-profile branding applications, companies can use a laser character at sporting events, festivals and high-traffic public areas. Other applications include movie theatre lobbies, mascots, and point-of-sale. Since lasers can be projected on most any surface, the staging options are virtually unlimited.
How It Works
While customized equipment and good scripts are important to the production of a lifelike character, it's a talented performer that makes it work.
Cramer selects talent for laser characters the same way they select talent to host any other live presentation. The operator must have a clear, expressive voice plus talent and experience with live improvisation. The operator controls are designed so that anyone can learn them in as little as 30 minutes. Cramer has learned through experience that the best characters come from the best operator personalities, rather than the most experienced puppeteers.
To make sure that the pool of available talent wasn't limited by difficulty operating the equipment, the controls are intuitive and customizable. Most character functions are controlled through a pair of fiber-optic gloves—the gloves sense how much each finger is bent and use a six-axis magnetic motion tracker to monitor overall hand position.
Typically, one finger controls eyebrows, one controls eyelids, etc. Any character attribute can be controlled by any finger, allowing outrageous options such as a tongue sticking out, logos beating in place of the character's heart, or a set of "Energizer Bunny" ears. A MIDI musical keyboard is used to trigger special effects. Basically, operators control the character by bending their fingers, waving their hands, and tapping a few piano keys.
The glove and keyboard transmit information to a custom Windows software application (appropriately called Handwave) which performs calculations and issues instructions to a Pangolin QM32 processor board inside the PC. The output of the QM32 board is connected to a laser projector and the character appears on the projection area.
For the operator to see the audience, a small "spy" camera is hidden near the projection area to provide a video image from the character's point of view. Some cameras allow motion control and can zoom in close enough to read name tags. If the operator can't see the character projection, a second camera is set up to view the laser image. Of course, the operator has to be able to hear questions from the audience and respond to them, so a simple audio system consisting of several microphones and speakers is usually needed. Once the character interacts with the presenter or the audience, there is an immediate suspension of disbelief and the character is accepted.
Building a Character
How is the character
created to begin with? The character is "built" in
laser graphics software as a 3D model that can be moved, rotated,
and manipulated in real-time. At this point, the character will
contain a basic set of human attributes such as moving eyebrows,
eyelids, pupils, mouth, etc. Next, it's time to consider what
the character will say and do through scripting. The amount of
scripting varies widely for different applications. Some applications
require minimal scripting, since the character will largely be
improvising or receiving scripts on site (such as a typical corporate
meeting).
Other shows benefit from detailed scripts to ensure that key messages are organized and clearly explained. Since the operator is live, last-minute changes are easily managed, and although the show contains pre-written scripts, the character is still free to interact with the audience as much as needed.
Once a script is defined, special effects are selected to augment the basic character attributes in support of the script. These special effects are features or "tricks" the operator can trigger on demand, such as facial distortions (belly laugh, sniffle, popping eyes) and morphs (to other characters, messaging, pre-programmed scenes). These effects can be synchronized to other elements such as video segments, audio samples, and pyrotechnics.
Advantages of Laser Light
Live, interactive characters certainly aren't new to the entertainment world. Costumed people, puppets, animatronics, and computer-generated video graphics characters have been around for some time. Characters drawn with lasers, however, present special opportunities in the corporate and theme park markets for several reasons.
Lasers capture and
focus attention better than any other communications media—solid
or projected—because of their higher contrast (infinite,
actually), pure, vibrant colors, and a mystique generated by
drawing with beams of powerful light. Laser characters can project
on top of most video projections and on non-screen or uneven
surfaces such as walls, scenery, or building exteriors. They
can be as
small as a television image or as large as a mountain.
Finally, the relative simplicity of a laser character vs. a computer graphics character allows for much faster control response which translates into more human-like features. The laser character's mouth, for example, moves faster and matches the words better than a computer-generated image's mouth.
This new technology, combined with the right talent and scripts, can make laser characters true stars in the entertainment industry. Cramer plans to continually develop new features for laser characters and hopes to make the technology available to laserists worldwide.
About the author: Robert
Everton is senior design engineer for Cramer Productions, (+1)
781-278-2359; reverton@cramerprod.com; www.cramerprod.com
Special Report:
Musikmesse Fair Highlights German Firms
By
Patrick Murphy,
Pangolin Laser Systems
The usual highlight of the European trade shows for laser companies is the SIB International Exhibition in Rimini, Italy. Because the SIB fair was not held this year (it is switching to a biennial schedule), the premier 1999 European showcase for laser display companies was the Musikmesse/ProLight+Sound show, held March 3-7 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Both exhibitors and attendees were primarily German. The show lasted five days; the first three were open only to professionals while the last two were open to all (including children). This meant that the first three days were the most productive for business. Most exhibitors agreed that five days was too long. There were not many representatives of European laser companies among the attendees. When considering laser companies (not end-users such as discos), the ILDA Conference in Amsterdam last November attracted many more company representatives than Frankfurt.
One of the few genuinely
new products at the show was the Modula-5 playback system from
LOBO, which uses a magneto-optical (MO) drive. LOBO’s intention
is for this to replace ADAT tape-based playback systems.
In addition, Pangolin dealers HB Laserkomponenten and MediaLas
showed the new Lasershow Performer console, which was especially
interesting to disco clients. Otherwise, Musikmesse produced
few surprises. The products and stands were much the same as
previous years in Frankfurt or at the SIB shows. The following
is a booth-by-booth report. Since we spent more time at some
stands than at others, this is not necessarily a comprehensive
report about the entire five-day show.
ACR
ACR is concentrating on 3D shows, but their stand at Musikmesse
showed only 2D graphics. ACR said this was because the Frankfurt
trade show was not of primary importance to them. ACR Lasertechnik
GmbH, Germany; tel: (+49) 2630-4 97 25; fax: (+49) 2630-4 98
27; www.acr-group.com
Datronik
Datronik’s booth was large, with three or four green-only
images rear-projected along the top outside wall. Inside, they
were showing control desks and software that were custom-made
by Datronik. Datronik Rolf Dachs GmbH, Germany. Tel (+49) (0)
4402-97 99 29; Fax: (+49) 4402-97 9 70
HB Laserkomponenten
HB exhibited a host of components, including Cambridge, General
Scanning and Catweazle scanners; TurboTrack scanner amps; PCAOMs
from A+A, NEOS and MVM; the Aquila timecode controller; and Pangolin
software. A 3.5- watt DPSS green laser drew attendees to the
booth from down the aisle. The Lightspeed “Creation”
show ran continuously, rear-projected from inside a central column
(this show must be one of the most-played around the world).
The projector used a HeNe/argon combination to get white light,
and thus the beam was very tight. It was impressive how the increased
sharpness improved the look of the graphics, when compared with
an image made by a typical beam 2-3 times larger in diameter.
HB also was using two small air-cooled white-light lasers. These were modified American 60X-type lasers, with krypton gas fill and special optics. HB said they had carefully controlled the system to get a long white-light lifetime (>1000 hours) and good color balance from the lasers. At their home office, HB has over 1,000 gas lasers on the shelves, available as used or regassed units.The HB booth was one of the more cramped, but this had a favorable effect of highlighting the wide range of products from HB and boothmate DS Showlaser. The aforementioned DPSS laser, plus a bright green projection onto an end-aisle wall, also helped make HB visible far beyond its booth size. HB Laserkomponenten, Germany, tel: (+49) 7171-6 11 07; fax: (+49) 7171- 6 46 79; www.hb-laser.com
HB was co-exhibiting with another German company, DS Showlaser, run by Siegfried Boes. DS Showlaser, tel: (+49) 8141-1-61 29; fax: (+49) 81410-1-20 48.
LOBO
LOBO had, as usual, one of the largest stands of any lighting/laser
manufacturer. They presented a millennium show called Chronology.
The graphics part took viewers on a visual review of technological
and cultural changes over the past 10,000 years. This was presented
on two separate screens; the secondary screen had a “clock”
that ticked off technological tool advancements and had a walking
person developing (in clothing and stature) from ape through
the various cultures of history. The graphics show, themed by
LOBO’s Alex Hennig, was especially effective at the end,
as a child was shown developing into a man having his own child,
who then grew up and eventually waved “adieu” as the
man aged and faded out. This evoked subtle and sad feelings that
are not usually associated with laser shows.
In the traditional European style, gauze and water screens descended for an audience-scanning beam show after the graphics introduction ended. The beam show broke no new ground. A unique aspect of LOBO’s presentation was the use of wireless headphones. All laser companies except tarm and LPS were in a quiet zone. To help attendees experience the music, LOBO had 300 wireless Sennheiser headphones available. The headphones were a sonic success, although one did not feel the bass as usual. The phones also made one feel less a part of crowd and more isolated. Unfortunately, many of the headphones disappeared as the show progressed.
LOBO’s newest product is the Modula-5 magneto-optic system for playback and optional recording of shows (see story, p. 2). The Modula-5 has an impressive faceplate and controls, with an LCD readout screen at top (with soft menu keys), and a glowing “LOBO electronic” logo at the bottom. LOBO intends for the Modula-5 to be used with LOBO projectors, and also to be compatible with other projectors and equipment. They hope the $12,000 US base unit will replace ADATs for many applications. LOBO electronic GmbH, Germany, tel: (+49) 7361-96 87-0; fax: (+49) 7361-96 87-99; www.lobo.de
LPS
LPS is a dealer for the new LasCoNet software which was first
exhibited at the 1998 ILDA Conference. They demonstrated the
LCN software with beam and graphic shows.
LPS Lasersysteme, Germany; tel: (+49) 7473-271177; fax: (+49)
7473-271977; www.lps-laser.com
MDG
ILDA member MDG had a dealer who was exhibiting the range of
fog and smoke machines made by MDG.
MDG Fog/Smoke Generators, Canada; tel: (+1) 514 272-6040; fax
(+1) 514-722-3229; www.laserfx.com/MDG/MDG-ndx.html
MediaLas
MediaLas Laserproducts displayed six independent graphics projectors
at their exhibit stand. Five of the projectors were Catweazle
Pros equipped with laser diodes in various colors and powers.
These projectors used prerecorded programs to display eye-attracting
graphics and text. The sixth projector was a small fiber-fed
head that used a Laser Physics 300WC white-light laser controlled
by a Pangolin LD Pro system.
In addition, MediaLas showed components such as the Catweazle line of scanners, XY scanheads with built-in DMX motion controllers for creating aerial effects, and two projectors based on the DMX-controlled scanheads. One of these projectors used a green laser with two spinning mirrors focused onto the DMX-controlled aiming mirror. The other unit featured three small (<5 mW) diodes bouncing off a DMX-controlled mirror covered with diffraction grating. This arrangement produced an array of red beams, visible in fog, that were in continual motion under DMX control.
On the top of the MediaLas stand was a green Catweazle Pro aimed onto a tethered balloon. The balloon supplier arrived one afternoon with a radio-controlled blimp approximately five feet long. He flew the blimp around the nearby aisles and attracted a lot of attention. It may not have been good for sales, since it distracted from the booth, but it was very entertaining for attendees and nearby exhibitors.MediaLas Laserproducts GmbH, tel: (+49) 7471-9 16 61; fax: (+49) 7471-916 66; www.medialas.com
tarm
tarm had a large stand, second only in size to LOBO’s. At
tarm, shows ran continuously (in contrast with LOBO, which scheduled
shows every hour). As soon as one show was over, another DA-88
tape was inserted into their playback unit.The most impressive
tarm show was a “trailer” for the latest Star Trek
film. This was apparently produced for a chain of laser-equipped
movie theaters, as tarm also showed a “Titanic” trailer.
The cinematic feel of the script, and the detailed, accurate
drawings of Star Trek actors, was clearly different from typical
laser shows. Other presentations included previously-seen shows
such as “Children” and “Living Lines.” Many
attendees commented favorably about the use of soft line endings
and smooth color transitions in the tarm shows. This effect,
produced by the Laser Animation DSP system, allowed a softer
look to images, instead of having the PCAOM immediately turn
off at line endings or color transitions.
tarm SLL-Technik GmbH, Germany; tel: (+49) 234-45 90 74 00; fax:
(+49) 234-436 76; www.tarm.com
To learn more about the Musikmesse trade show and to see pictures of the individual booths, visit the Pangolin Laser Systems website at www.pangolin.com
Show News:
Singing to the Laser
Accompanied by the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, Images In Illuminations, Inc. provided lasers and pyrotechnics to cap off an evening concert attended by 7,000 people last month in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Using a 15-watt white light and an 18-watt argon laser, graphics were projected onto two separate areas of the building, including the words to My Old Kentucky Home for a sing-along. In addition to projecting graphic images, the argon bounced beams off 20 mirrors mounted on the front of the building. To fill out the show, two 45-watt YAG laser projectors were placed behind and off to one side of the stage. Over 100 pyrotechnic devices helped to heighten the impact of the live music. Images in Illumination, (+1) 630-595-5692; www.indesign.com
Planetarium Shows Come to New Zealand
New Zealand recently welcomed the country’s first planetarium laser show, which premiered April 23 at the Auckland Observatory’s StarDome. Producer Anthropomorphic Productions plans to offer shows four days per week. There are also plans in the works to incorporate a live control system. The live system would allow the laserist to choose signals from ADAT channels and Pangolin software outputs and project them using an array of scanner heads. Anthropomorphic Productions Ltd., (+64) 21-23633; www.anthropomorhic.org
Tech
Focus:
Optical Modules Simplify
Projector Construction
By Ton Timmermans, Laserpromotions B.V.
Laserpromotions has developed a new range of products for a complete opto-mechanical system based on the need to build a broad range of different display applications in an easy and controllable way. This new opto-mechanical concept is based on what we call Optical Modules. We have been using this approach since the prototype was developed in 1992. For mobile use, the flexibility of these modules is a great advantage—it allows laserists to quickly configure a laser projector for a customized application with little or no worry as to optical alignment, system stability or exposure to contaminants. The same qualities are also an obvious advantage for fixed installations.
We see the opto-mechanical concept as a universal solution and as a contribution to the standardization of laser display systems. As far as we know, this is the first time such a complete concept has been presented to the laser display market.
A module is, in its simplest form, a closed box containing an element used in an optical system. A module can contain virtually any element or combination of elements: PCAOMs, beam splitters, fiber optic output feeds, lumia, a mini-projector containing scanners and amplifiers, and so on.
Optical
Plug and Play
Each module manufactured by Laserpromotions is pre-aligned and
can rotate around the optical axis. Adjustment of the internal
optical path is not necessary after the initial connection is
made. Because they are easily interchangeable, our modules can
be quickly arranged in any sequence. This new concept is ILDA
compatible and independent of any type of graphic computer system
or PCAOM on the market.
The first Optical Module in the system (see photo) is mounted directly to the laser head. This gives the system an inherent stability and does away with the need for base frames or breadboards to anchor optical assemblies. Additional modules can be connected with a threaded ring or can be added with our new fiber optic coupler. Laserists can quickly assemble a system with a variety of effects and multiple remote mini-projectors.
The module approach incorporates more than just optics; it also provides for all electrical and data connections between modules, computers and peripheral equipment using standard DB25, DB15 and DB9 cables and easy-to-mount RJ45 and RJ12 connectors. Soldering of connectors is not necessary, so the problem of poor connections is over. All ground circuits are optically isolated and therefore a ground loop affecting image quality is not possible.
A standard industrial control network is used to monitor all system and show functions. System sensors connected to the network, for example, can measure the intensity of light before the PCAOM, after the PCAOM and at the output of the fiber. This provides information about the alignment of the PCAOM and the fiber optic input coupler. These high quality sensors are connected via an RS485 network to the main system control PC.
Our projector driver, the Prodrive-1, functions as a central junction for all system connections and sensors. All connections from the graphics computer system (such as LCN, Pangolin, DSP, etc.) and other devices come together at this driver. The Prodrive-1 also incorporates power supplies for optical modules that require them. The main system control computer is a Windows NT machine that monitors the Prodrive-1 and the optical modules. Sensor measurements and all other system parameters are shown on the system control’s computer monitor.
The system control software can automatically start all hardware systems, activate the graphics show program, monitor all hardware and software systems during the show (including such factors as laser tube pressure and water flow), and stop the show. All the operator has to do is to turn a key-switch. All events and monitored information are logged for service and maintenance. These log files are sent back to the system supplier or service organization directly by modem or via e-mail.
Safety of laser applications has been a very important design point. No light can leave the Optical Modules other than through a projector aperture or a fiber optic cable. Every output device is equipped with a shutter that opens only when a signal is received. An emergency shutter at the output of the laser itself can also shut off the main beam. Clipping borders on which blanking is activated can be set horizontally and vertically via an external input device for each independent projector module. Various audience scanning safety devices now on the market can also be connected to the Prodrive-1.
There is not enough space in this article to explain all the details of the Optical Module concept and the system control functions. We invite interested parties to inquire by fax or e-mail, or visit our website (www.laserpro.nl) for more information and prices, which should be available in late May. If you send us your specific questions we will send you a clear answer and a complete description of how to build and connect any optical system you want.
About
the author:
Ton Timmermans is president of Laserpromotions, B.V, Leiden,
the Netherlands, voice: (+31) 71-531-5561, fax: (+31) 71-531-6061;
www.laserpro.nl;
info@laserpro.nl
New Scanners From Cambridge
Cambridge Technology,
Inc. has introduced two new scanner models for the laser entertainment
market. The new scanners, thanks to a patented position detector
technology and Cambridge’s new SMT servo driver electronics,
provide improved levels of speed and positioning accuracy over
the company’s widely used 6800HP scanner.
“The new position detector and servo technology have enabled
us to achieve higher speed, improved accuracy, smaller package
size and lower cost all in one innovation,” said Red Aylward,
president of Cambridge Technology.
The new galvo designs support point rates for laser display above
the ILDA 30K standard. Cambridge says its model 6210 offers the
full torque capability and RMS (root mean square) performance
of the 6800HP model for wide angle, flicker-free display of complex
images.
At half the size of
the 6800HP, the 6200 model has been designed for compact and
cost-sensitive high-speed displays. it's intended for applications
that require less complex images and reduced angular range.
Cambridge is now gathering detailed performance data on the scanners
specifically for laser entertainment applications.
Cambridge Technology, Inc., tel: (+1) 617-441-0600; fax: (+1)617-497-8800;
www.camtech.com
LaserSafe Software
Lasermet has collaborated with GL Services to produce a special laser display edition of its LaserSafe PC software. Operating under Windows 95, the software performs a quantitative assessment of the laser hazard for audience scanning effects, showing whether the proposed effect is safe or not.
Where the effect is
above the allowed levels, a click of the mouse will give the
parameters required for a safe show. Detailed calculations and
graphical analyses allow quick exploration of the safety levels
and the options for hazard reduction. The inclusion of a laser
and laser system database allows customization of the software
by the user.
The Entertainment Laser Association (ELA) has approved the software
for audience scanning safety evaluation. Available at a price
of £345 ($552 US), ELA members qualify for the special
price of £150 ($248 US). Paul Tozer, tel: (+44) 01202 770740;
Lasermet@btinternet.com
Modula-5 Digital Laser System from LOBO
LOBO’s Modula-5 product line marks the introduction of a new modular digital control system for multiple laser systems. In contrast to conventional recording devices, the Modula-5 can store both sound and laser show data for two laser projectors on a single magneto-optical (MO) disk. An advanced locator concept makes any point of the show available with virtually no search time. LOBO considers the MO technology as the most reliable data storage medium on the market, in part because it eliminates problems deriving from worn-out magnetic tapes.
The basic Modula-5 unit is able to play laser shows with over 16 million colors. Up to four pre-definable show frames and up to 32 adjustable positions of external effect mirrors are automatically integrated into the show. The system can be used with all LOBO projectors and most made by other companies.Thanks to its modular concept, Modula-C5 can adapt to new tasks by various expansion modules. In addition to an expansion module for a second projector, a live operation module with MIDI control and a sound-to-light system is available. A recorder module allows users to store their own shows on disk. The editing module allows users to create their laser graphics and integrate them into in any show. For more sophisticated applications, a DDL-module, a DMX-module, a SMPTE-module and modules for the control of peripherals are available. The basic version will cost less than DEM 20,000 (about $12,000 US). LOBO electronic GmbH, Germany, tel: (+49) (0) 7361 96 87-0; fax: (+49) (0) 7361 96 87-99; www.lobo.de
Safety:
Making the Case for Audience Scanning
The 1999 International Laser Safety Conference, held recently in Orlando, Florida, USA, brought 180 people together from 13 countries to discuss the latest scientific research regarding laser safety, including the safety of laser light shows. Several ILDA members presented papers at the conference, sponsored by the Laser Institute of America, on the topic of audience scanning.
All the ILDA presenters felt that their papers were taken seriously by the safety officials attending the meeting, and that authorities now seem to look more favorably on laser light shows because of the mathematical models and measurement techniques that have been developed. Our thanks go to ILDA-member John O’Hagan of the UK’s National Radiological Protection Board for providing the following report of conference activities:
Greg Makhov, president of Lighting Systems Design, Inc. and ILDA Safety Committee Chair, presented a workshop on audience scanning to an amazingly full auditorium (considering the 8:00 am start). Makhov presented the arguments in favor of audience scanning and demonstrated measurement techniques with a number of static and scanned effects. A laser system was in operation during the workshop with William Benner, Jr. of ILDA-member Pangolin Laser Systems at the controls. John O’Hagan and Sheldon Zimmerman (Naval Surface Warfare Center) carried out measurements with a range of detectors while Makhov outlined the limitations of each method.
Later in the conference, O’Hagan presented a paper titled “Is Audience Scanning at Laser Light Shows Ever Acceptable?,” coauthored with Makhov and Benner. Methods of doing audience scanning such that a regulator can be satisfied of the safety of the audience were presented. However, it was stressed that this is not easy and that future hardware and software developments are awaited.
Interestingly, the view of one regulator in the audience was that all exposures should use the “as low as reasonably practical” principle. This may be acceptable for harmful agents with no known damage threshold, but surely our eyes are designed to look at light up to certain levels.
The conference’s keynote address, “Do Eye Examinations Have a Role in Laser Safety Programs?,” was presented by Professor John Marshall from St. Thomas Hospital in London, UK. Many companies currently require their employees to undergo routine eye examinations if they use lasers. Arguments were presented to demonstrate that such examinations have little value. In the UK, for example, no laser injuries have been picked up by routine examinations. Workers tend to know if they have an eye injury and act on it immediately. The only real concern expressed by Professor Marshall regarded those who work with lasers emitting blue light. There is growing evidence that, for example, the blue emission from argon lasers can bleach the eye’s color vision in the blue.
Other conference sessions emphasized new developments in laser diode technology and associated safety issues. Of particular concern was the reduction in size of high-power lasers and the perception that, because they were small, they didn't present a safety issue. Transient effects after exposure to laser radiation at levels below the maximum permissible exposure were also discussed by Jack Lund (Brooks Air Force Base). This was raised in connection with laser installations in Las Vegas and with laser pointers. Laser pointers in general had quite a lot of coverage with reports of how the issue was tackled in the US, Germany and the UK. James Rockwell gave an update of ILDA-member Rockwell Laser Industry’s accident database.Despite the evidence that non-beam hazards are the main safety issue for lasers—all deaths have been due to electricity, chemicals, gases or the weight of the equipment—there were only three papers on these topics.
Contact:
John O’Hagan, NRPB, tel: (+44) 1235 822673; john.ohagan@nrpb.org.uk
State-by-State Report on USA Regs
Laserists in the United States must not only comply with the detailed regulations of the federal government’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), they must also keep in step with the rules of state governments. Until now, learning exactly what a particular state required has been a difficult task that required navigating a bureaucracy rarely experienced at dealing with laser entertainment displays.
Rockwell Laser Industries has come to the aid of laser companies with a state-by-state survey of regulations in all 50 states. Rockwell’s survey found significant activity at the state level in recent years, with several states adopting completely revised standards that include criteria defined in the CDRH and/or ANSI Z136 standards. The survey, conducted by James Rockwell, Jr. and Jay Parkinson, found that only ten states had “comprehensive” laser regulations, some of which dated back to the 1970s.Of the ten states (Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Washington) with in-depth rules, only five had regulations specifically addressing laser light shows.New York is undergoing a major revision of its regulations, long the most burdensome on laser light show operators. Proposed amendments to New York’s Code Rule 50 would eliminate completely the Certificate of Competence and the associated testing now required of laserists.
The most common requirements in state rules included registration, protective eyewear, sign posting and equipment labeling in accordance with CDRH and/or ANSI standards. A total of 27 states said that “some attention” was given to the CDRH requirement that laser light companies notify state offices of performances. “Some states indicated they frequently checked shows while others indicated they rather infrequently checked the shows. This was especially true for those companies for which the state had previously done a background check and where the company had a ‘good track record’ for compliance,” said the Rockwell report.
The
report also examined the rapid expansion of efforts by both state
and local governments to control laser pointers. A total of six
states and 16 local governments have enacted some type of regulation,
usually controlling the purchase and use of laser pointers. The
rules frequently limit sales to adults and make inappropriate
use a misdemeanor.
To view a complete database of state safety regulations, visit
the Rockwell website at: www.rli.com