First Projector-Grovel for help

[LaserDance]

Hi Laserists.

I have my first scan set on it's way via fedex...CT6215 XY pair w/Drivers and Power Supplies. I am looking at getting Pangolin next. I'm sure I will have many questions, but the first is about cabling. I have done a bit of web searching with no "clear enough" results.

I have seen the pinouts for ILDA compatible connectors, like what the
QM2000 will support, but am not clear how these get to my Scanner Drivers. I assume I have to make a cable myself...I assume Cambridge will include some documentation, and I have yet to see the connector(s) on the drivers.

Any tips on this bottomless pit of of questions?
Thanks, Mark

[Karl Dawson]

Hi Mark

Im sure that we can help with most of your questions

But i would recomend that you visit here

http://laserfx.com/

this is were i started ... when i wanted to know about lasers, scanners and connections

L michael Roberts has put so much info on this site ... its a goldmine

also if you check out the forums at http://www.pangolin.com you will see many questions answered

and lastly one of my favorite places is http://photonlexicon.com/forums/index.php were everyone is helpfull
and willing to get you up and running ....

hope this helps .... Karl ( banthai laser )

PS if you are based in the USA just remember before spending lots of cash that you have to comply with all the CDRH regulations before you can perform public laser shows etc ( im sure you already know that ... but i talk to a lot of people on other forums that are unaware ) ...

all the best ..

[LaserDance]

Thanks for the tips. I've spent a bit of time familiarizing myself with CDRH, and have the variance application and regs. I also know I need the variance for any projector I plan to use or sell in public, and also need each show approved.

I went all over the FX Backstage area, lot's of cables/pinouts documented there, but none for the 6215/driver set I am getting. Now that I see the photonlexicon chats, It looks like a great place...but tons of stuff to pour through to find what I'm after. On the other hand when the CT stuff arrives, it will be easier for me, I'm sure, to see the driver board in hand and figure out how to get from the QM2000/ILDA/DB25 to each driver interface.

For now I am not doing color and blanking...will trickle those dollars in as time and hands on allows. I guess if I get ttl controlled lasers, I can do the blanking there, which will also allow for color, between the lasers, but am not sure that is how it works these days. One thing at a time...my first goal will be to get the QM2000 to talk to the CT Scanners, get a Laser and figure out how to get Pangolin LD SW to cooperate with me.

After that I will likely be looking into using DMX512 to talk to relays and actuators, to get the beam show to do what I want. I need to provide ttl (or maybe DMX512 if I can find the right devices) inputs to do some out of band stuff I am developing, to trigger the beam effects.

I may be doing this backwards, but from my year or so doing shows back in the 90s with a guy at Raves and such...all I really know is what I DON'T want to do...he had an array of "hokey" stuff, always broken in the middle of or late start for shows, Amiga, GM100 open loops, funky actuators....He did ok, with very little money, I'm not criticizing, just want to build something that saves the headaches I encountered.

Something I will probably do is document each step of the way...all my experiences, and at some point make that available. Even though it will be for my setup generally...I have searched the net and not seen similar help yet.

This first setup goal is to get a beam projector working. Later, for full color graphics, it would seem there is a large selection of ready to play projectors out there, though some are pricey, considering the work to get one set up, it isn't really that much money to pay.

Mark :eek: