New Member have some questions

[frostin]

I came along this site and it is  AWESOME!

What I'm planning to build is a laser light show that is programmable (the servers motors etc) so I can have fun and maybe get some business going (haha!). Anyways Any info is appreciated (books, videos, etc.). Radio shack is down the street ^_^.

Basically all I want to know/learn is how to incorporate maybe 4 servos, 2 motors, build a mount system for my lasers, program the board (whichever board is the best deal) and eventually post a video .

[Truckstop]

basic stamp would be easyist to learn to program if you have no experience, however the bare bones board is cheapest at only ~15 dollars, i would buy a basic stamp 1 or BS1 for short. its only around 30 and the software is easy and free to download... some of the other guys here would probably recommend the bare bones board though. i don't have much experience with it.

Check around, this web forum and google for some basic software.

Truckstop

[Joker94]

a good starting point is reading all the usefull tutorials and infomation on any thing and every thing, i think that it is the best place to start.

And then google stuff that may be relevent and after you have some furthure knowlage report back and we can help in some more detail.

[Webbot]

There was a back issue of Elektor magazine that had a complete project for that.

It had a fixed laser that shone onto a mirror mounted on a servo controlled by a microcontroller.

Can try and dig out the article if you are interested. Since its copyright then I cant scan and send but I could tell you how to order, or download, the magazine.

[frostin]

what should I get? the basic stamp kit are 60+...

[Soeren]

Hi,

Servos are much too slow for a LASER show drawing figures. For that you need mirror-galvanometers (which could be made from harddisk head position "motors" (which is much like the voice coil in a speaker).

[Webbot]

I think you are putting the horse before the cart.

First decide what you need to control - ie how many servos etc. How will you program it:- do you want the expense of buying a programmer, or build your own, or use USB port.

etc etc

Then choose a processor/kit etc that meets your needs.

By specifying your needs and finding a system that just meets them you can keep the price down. Otherwise you may buy an expensive board that is overpowered and overspec'd for the 'simple' task you want to do.

@Soeren - Agree. But I'm not sure he wants to draw figures - he just needs a 'light show' - which could be as simple as moving the laser around without 'drawing' anything

[Soeren]

Hi,

[...] he just needs a 'light show' - which could be as simple as moving the laser around without 'drawing' anything

If that's the case, 2 DC motors with small glued on (slightly skewed) mirrors will make a nice display - vary the speed of any or both to change the pattern and/or make the pattern rotate CW or CCW with varying speed.

[frostin]

I ordered after doing some exensive research... Arduino Duemilanove 2009 AVR ATmega328P-PU USB board. Serial cables are long gone so I went with usb.