I have seen a lot of youtube videos about guys converting flashlights into 'burning lasers'.I read that one needs a 'driver circuit'to make this work.I have no experience working with lasers or making complicated circuits.I want to make one for a school project and have no idea where to begin.Can I get some advice and help all along the way?I would like ot keep the cost down as much as possible.And also,can you guys tell me where to source the laser diodes from?I believe that a 200mW laser is enough to burn stuff.I want to make it last long and burn stuff. >  And will a 'module'(aixiz) be absolutely necessary?This is where I got the idea.The DVD drive seems to be a good idea but can I just get a laser diode?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Flashlight-Hack!!/

So,in  short,please tell me how to make this work and where to get the laser diode from.

i too am KIPKAY fan!

@ Gandhar

Planning to go Blind ?   > > >

Watch out for reflected laser light. 200mW is more than enough to cause permenant damage to the eye and that too in split seconds.

Take extreme precaution when working with high power laser.

-Ismail

I would strongly suggest to abandon the project as laser are quite dangerous to handle. They are quite like playing with explosive. You would need proper training  and Laser Safety Goggles to handle the equipment. Dont be fooled by these projects on the net which show as if making a Laser CNC a piece of Cake. You would never realized from where that reflected beam hit your eyes, before it is  too late.

Just to inform you, following are the items you would require to build the CNC:

1. Laser diode - You can buy from E-bay or salvage from DVD writers
2. Driver Circuit - easiest part- no Rocket technology. You can build with locally available component like LM317/318 regulator
3. Focusing Optics : Very hard to get  99.99% efficient , low loss glass lens to focus the beam.
4. CNC :
          ACM Nuts : Hard to get
          ACM Rods : Hard to get in India. costly shipping from West
          Servos Motor : Available in India
          Servo Controller card and PC Interface : Available, but tricky.
          Software, Driver, actual design and fabrication of the CNC is much a bigger challenge.

I would say this would be a good project for a 3rd year Mech/Elec Engineering student and beyond the  scope of a normal School project considering both time and complexity.

If you are still ardent, consider using a 'Pen'/Dremel Router instead of Laser.
I know using Laser would sound very 'COOL' but better you keep it for your engineering days when you would more wise and mature, and most important - patience.

 It is written in the project to open up from a DVD Drive or to perchase. Better is opening from a defective CD/DVD drive whose laser diode is OK. Just open your defective CD/DVD drive. give a supply of 4.5 volt through 1k resistance to diode terminal and check the laser diode is live or not. If yes, you must not need to purchase anything. And if no, just use the readily available laser torches for 45Rs or like that but it cannot burn anything

You can alternately try with a 2mm crystal LED with flat surface/concave top and the lens of CD/DVD Drive acting like LASER but not more than 30 mts. (No Burning)

Another feed, using this diode in distance communication through air, has very low reliability for shifting of the wave track from sensor and thus communication projects are successful but not useful for commercial use.

However, take precaution to avoid any hazard as said earlier by HamAero using true laser.

Thanks

I play with explosives a fair bit. I have made my own solid rocket fuels out of black powder and also out of fused Sugar + KNO3. It IS dangerous but not impossible. Been there, done that - over and over again - I get burn rates of my rocket fuels that are comparable to any International Standards - Richard Nakka and the others.

This laser experiment has been on my mind for a while. I have 2 or 3 disused DVD writers lying with me that I want to cannibalise for this project.

iamahuman - go for it but LISTEN to Ujjwaana - take all the precaution needed. If you can't be 100% careful, give it up for now. THIS IS NOT CHILD'S PLAY!

Don't play with things like Lasers without proper knowledge and training and correct tools.You could blind yourself and much WORSE you could blind others.

VC Sir,

You are sometimes like me. I also have done much pyrotechnic earlier and even synthesis KCLO3 a few gram for experiment. Best rocket I found using the formula
KNO3 - 16
Charcoal - 4
Sulfur - 3
Sugar - 2

in Paper packed Rocket. Sugar gives much thrust and keeps the temp down so that paper tube & Nozzle would not burn. Recent visit to Champathi, and Nungi (Chingripota, Putkhali, Doulatpur), and earlier visit to Dankuni, Bankra, Shibanipur, I found they use 2,1,0.5 formula and use rice residue (Starch) insted sugar in rocket and even in nozzle less rocket.

and Best Golden Garbs (Tubri) [ For Silver Garbs use .2-.5mm dia CuSO4 Crystals up to 2 by weight and replace charcoal 4 and Fe-10 with Al Powder-3 and Al Turnings -3. Don't use Fine Aluminum Flake named Pyro and pack tightly using  kerosene specially in burnt soil container]
KNO3-16-------------------------------------------16
Iron Turnings - 10-----------------Al Turning--------4/3
Charcoal - 4----------------------Al Powder--------3/4
Sulfur - 3-------------------------------------------4
CuSO4 - 2(Optional)---------------------------------2
And you can pack even in thick paper conical tube tightly and feel enjoy.
=====================================================
Excuse me as i could not restrict myself to post the nice hobby core data earned with experiments over 20 years for other forum members if required.
=====================================================
My Brother (Mastuto/Mousera Bhai) got special knowledge after training to me and explaining the shell making and safety precautions to South 24 Paraganas manufacturers. And, now, local shell slashed the prices and believe me, you can get 3 cells pack in Just 13 Rupees. (A Poor Mans Shell). Colour torches slashed to Rs15/- per pack of 10 nos of two color (Red+Green 14"long, 0.25"Dia). But the risk of KCLO3 for better color, really should not be taken if sulfur is used nearby.

Thanks.

If required, Please delete this un-relevant post without asking me.

Human

Go for it.

It is hazardous ,  yes !  , but no more so than
walking the streets of Bangalore.

Just exercise a bit of care and commonsense.

Kalyan da i could have tried out your 'tubris' in diwali.

Well,one more project scrapped .When will I ever get to prove my dad wrong?He said all the stuff that you guys said.Any way,thanks a lot for the responses guys.It looks like I will not be making this.



I chose the laser because it would be cool.I had another option of the ornithopter but my friends(and teammates) are against it.

Actually,our physics teacher has asked us to make any project related to physics.She had been to a workshop in Kanpur after which she told us to make any project of our liking.

Since I am very active in Physics(Science overall ),I wanted ot make one project atleast.

Any other suggestions ?VC sir,could you suggest a simple rocket?

@ gandhar

Let me know if you are interested in building any coin operated dispenser kind of stuff.


Sanjay
93420 21471

Thanks a lot for the offer HamAero(Oh,Sanjay sir) sir.But I am not into that kind of stuff.But just out of interest,how can I make it?

I would prefer something in rocketry.

@iamahuman : Well there were dangerous elements in the project but sad to hear that u could not convince ur dad and the project had to be scrapped, would have loved to see the progress, but anyhow u should respect your parents decision. 

@ Gandhar
Drop in home sometime (I too stay in Mahalakshmi layout  ).
I may be of some help to you.

Sanjay

the projects you are considering are cool but wont impress a physics enthusiast much.
How about bicycle wheel gyroscope

Your friends might not love it that much but the teachers will totally digg it. Just study some theory and make some good standees to go with it.

How about making a pneumatic or 'Stomp' Rocket? Google it or Tube it and see for yourself.


http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/rktstomp.html

The pump can be substituted with an empty Cola PET bottle. Simply stomp on it and watch the rocket fly. 100 feet height is easy!

@sunlikestar sir:Looks good.I've actually seen it once.Since I am quite good at reasoning,it might work out.This might be my second project.

@VC:Sir,I would prefer a rocket that burns some fuel rather than make a 'stomp rocket'.I want the project to have some degree of complexity and danger attached.Could you give me a good recipe to make a propellant that is pretty stable?And also,could you guide me all along the way?

Yes I can  and NO, I WON'T. I need to speak with your parents before that.

Where will you procure Potassium Nitrate (KNO3 the main ingredient) from?

Alright sir.I'll speak to my parents and get them to talk to you.I have a feeling that neither my parents nor my physics teacher will allow me to do this.

KNO3 should be available at a chemicals store right?

You are absolutely right! Even at senior college level Hobby Camps, we needed special permission from the Civic Authorities to demonstrate Incendiary Rockets. Funny, you don't need any permission to buy Diwali Rockets!

 

I can suggest some project. You can say about new thought & HS/College level project.
Project-1
========
Remote audio recording direct to MP3.
Use FM Transmitter, or you can build it (Cost <Rs.50/-)
And an FM Receiver Kit (Radio too but kit preferred for bare bone look(Costs<100/-) of your peoject.
Now feed output of the receiver to Line in channel of Computer and record through MusicMatch JukeBox or similar software.

Project-2
=======
Quiz Master
Various circuits are there. But the most easy and reliable circuit is electrical relay based circuit from robustness and Transistorised circuit for speed. Others are costly.

Project-3
=======
Showing power waveform & UPS Changeover power waveform without Osciloscope

Just make Eolectrical isolation by super isolation transformer. use a potential divider and give input to your sound card line in jack. Record through Goldwave or similar software. Open and see waveform.

Project-4
=======
Microscope Replacement / Poor scientist's Microscope

Use pin hole (.1mm or less dia) and 0.33 watt white LED for backlit. You can see several times larger like microscope.

Project-5
========
Induction Heater

Use Large U I Lamination and energize through primary of eleminator transformer.
Put Cycle bearing through it as short circuiting coil and keep asbestos insulation with core.
You can show that original oven will not heat but bearing is super heat and therefore heat wastage is less.


For Electronics Projects, you can sea the my favorite site
http://talkingelectronics.com

I recomend you to make the project that can impact for it's usefullness.
Thanks

Wow, kalyan da u have loads of information. Glad that i met u.

I'll check the website and thanks a LOT for the suggestions.