DIY Laser Projector With a Green Laser in 20 Minutes

The essential ingredients for a serious dance party are good music, good atmosphere and a laser projector. Laser projectors are one of the more spectacular applications for lasers. This article will go through and detail how to build your own laser projector in 20 minutes.
First of this is a list of equipment needed:

- A green laser pointer
- Diffraction grating (reflection matrix)
- Plastic fusion epoxy and epoxy putty
- 3 volt electric motor from radio shack
- Metal plumbing pipes for the projector stand (4x straight pipes, 4x 90 degree pipe connector, 1x T junction)

Step One: Make a stand using the metal pipes. The motor will be placed in one pipe and the laser in another pipe. Make sure that the laser is aligned with the motor and test the angles from the laser to the motor.

Step Two: Drill a hole in the center of the diffraction grating then epoxy it to the motor

Step Three: Attach the motor to a 90 degree pipe connector with epoxy

Step Four: Solder two wires onto the motor, thread the wire through the piping and attach to a battery or dc power supply. You may need to take the stand apart to do this.

Step Five: Power the motor and turn on the green laser pointer that has been aligned with the diffraction grating and motor.

Step Six: The projector will a very bright and scintillating laser display when the laser beam is reflected of the spinning diffraction grating so turn on the music, sit back and enjoy the show.

Note: Some green laser pointers will over heat so pay attention to the laser temperature and turn off when necessary to allow for cooling.

Find more on laser safety glasses & goggles.

By Frank Smith
Published: 9/20/2008
 
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