I've talked with a manufacturing company to have my own custom laser barrels made. I'm now looking to see how interested folks are going to be in purchasing a premade ready to go laser host that won't require any modification to it. Slap in the diode, driver circuit and go. I will also provide a laser driver circuit along with the host but since so many people are wanting so many different things in circuits I'm offering a few options for this. Like for bluray lasers I will offer a option for a driver that will put out 45ma at the required 5v. and for Senkats 650nm diodes I will offer a driver that puts out 200ma- 300ma off 3v - 6v. I've gotten estimates back from the manufacturing company on how much it's going to cost for these things to be made and I'm seeing if it's financially possible for me to make these and who would be interested.
The host incorporates the following things.
Barrel for cr123 batteries.
Module incorporated into the head out of a solid peice of aluminum optics screw right in just like the aixiz module. The advantage of this is you have a large mass of metal for heatsinking and press fitting the diode right into the head makes for less peices.
clicky tail cap.
all aluminum costruction
Now I don't have a picture or a cadd drawing of the barrels yet as that would cost me money to have that made up. I've told the company that this is dependant on interest on the forum and how many I figure I can sell. They would do an initial run of 100 for me .
The barrels will look like a Sonar case on http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/SONAR_Blu_ray_Case-58-11.html (http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/SONAR_Blu_ray_Case-58-11.html)
the one exception being there won't be any indents on the barrel. the barrel is totally smooth and finished smooth and shiny. Another light that is similair in design to the barrels (and is actually what I'm using as a kind of model) is the Dorcy flashlight here : http://dorcy.com/products.aspx?p=414255 (http://dorcy.com/products.aspx?p=414255)
The outside Diameter is roughly 25mm and the length is roughly 200mm. The head unscrews and in the inside diameter is a Hole for mounting the diode Top section of the barrel is just a hole with threads for the optics to screw in. (traditional Aixiz optics holder) Tail cap unscrews with a clicky installed and a rubber boot.
Initial cost to have then run per unit is roughly $30. If I have a run of 100 that will be $3,000 with a minor fee for running the designs into cadd so they can be cnc'd. I will have these run as soon as we sell 60 of them. (I'll take on the rest of the cost)
Up above you can see the benefits of having one of these barrels. It increases duty cycle of the laser diode so heat is no longer an issue and we don't have to make up aluminum spacers for heatsinks or get creative to find heatsinks for the modules. Merging the head and the module means no bad fits. Plus these things will look SHARP! they incorporate the module and lens so you don't have to buy that, they include the tailcap clicky so you don't have to buy that. The batteries are readily available and because of Senkats commitment to providing us with Laser diodes we will always have access to those.
Give a chime out for those that are interested. I'd like to say that I can take on the expense of this whole thing and just retail them but I'm not in any place right now to finance this. So we need to get all 100 paid for in advance of the run. However I was told that as soon as payment was made the run should only take a week or two. From there it's a matter of shipping them out.
I havn't located drivers yet for these but I am still working on a nice design like the one's found here: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3160 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3160)
I will be using these for the cr123's . You can of course incorporate your own driver as there is lots of room in the top of the head for it.
I wanna see this come to reality guys. These units are SWEET! and it beats $40 plus shipping for a sonar case and will work with any 5.6mm laser diode.
*Update* The specifications on the driver are as such. powered off 2 cr123's it's a universal driver with the means to drive both the blueray or the red dvd diodes. A simple jumper needs be soldered to go from one to the other.
I'm in for 2. Slight preference for 2AA over 2 CR123.
Just to confirm...
Will this housing include the lens?
Glass or plastic?
Will the housing be offered in annodized colors?
Since the diam is large, will there be an option to have heatsink fins machined into the head of the housing?
Thanks.
Kenom
11-03-2007, 08:01 AM
My initial design does not include fins on the outside diameter but I'm toying with including some.
Lens is of course included. I'm gettng both glass and acrylic. so you can choose what you want. I am not offering other colors of anodizing as this would increase the cost per unit a ton. Right now I'm going for just plain ol shiny silver.
Kenom
11-04-2007, 07:19 AM
here some initial scetches of just the head assembly. Nothing special to it.
You press fit teh diode right into the head. No module, no muss, no fuss.
As you can see there is no module in it so there's no need for thermal grease or anything like that. I havn't figured out how to put indents on teh outside of the head to show that for those interested in fins on the outside. From there it's a matter of adding the barrel and the tailcap. I'll work on those next and add them.
kingkong
11-07-2007, 09:28 AM
how is the case? It looks like I will get the laser soon!
kk
Kenom
11-07-2007, 03:10 PM
how is the case? It looks like I will get the laser soon!
kk
So far we're almost at 50. We need 60 for this to go to the manufacturer.
just cause we've sold 60 doesn't mean I'll have a lot left over. I plan on keepin a few to sell some lasers in myself.
Kenom
11-12-2007, 08:21 AM
News update on this. The driver for this has been built and WILL be included.
future_prius
11-12-2007, 08:56 AM
Do I understand correctly that I now just need to add a diode and batteries to have a complete laser?
Kenom
11-13-2007, 07:33 AM
Do I understand correctly that I now just need to add a diode and batteries to have a complete laser?
YOu are CORRECT. Just add your own diode, batteries and GO!
karlthev
11-13-2007, 09:30 AM
Ken, PM to you!:grin2:
Karl
future_prius
11-13-2007, 09:41 AM
YOu are CORRECT. Just add your own diode, batteries and GO!
Very cool. Just to double check before ordering a second one. This is the driver for the Blu-ray diode?
Thanks!
Kenom
11-14-2007, 01:07 AM
Actually this driver incorporates both the bluray and the red into the same circuit with just a jumper to swap between the two. You want bluray? jumper on 1,2. you want red? jumper on 2,3.
it saddens me to have to do this folks, but I'm looking at having to fork out well over $700 to make this happen with a driver and all the parts and pieces. I'm not apposed to spending some of my own hard earned cash to make my dream a reality but in the end I'll only be keeping about 10-15 of these barrels and I just can't afford this with kiddo's relying on my for support.
I'm going to have to increase the cost of the barrels a small bit to offset this price increase. I initially wasn't going to include a driver as part of the barrel but there has been such a interest in having a driver included that I'm going to anyway. So since the barrels include everything you need to make a laser but the diode and batteries the price must go up a bit. IF you wanna back out I will understand. Or you can choose the option of not getting a driver for this.
With the driver included (and this will work for both bluray and the red) the price per barrel will be $35. Shipping will be extra but shouldn't be more than $4-$10 per barrel unless it's international. We'll work that part out when it comes time to pay.
Sorry to do this to you all but I just didn't see a way to make this work unless I did.
kingkong
11-14-2007, 06:23 AM
i am still on. do you think this will happen before X-mas?
future_prius
11-14-2007, 07:03 AM
Thanks for all the hard work on them Kenom!
Please up my order to two.
Kenom
11-15-2007, 06:27 AM
I'm shooting to have these done by christmas. However my time frame is no more than 2 months. Once everyone puts in all the money needed I'll start the process of running these. I will have to get the drivers made up and all the additional parts ordered. To expedite the shipping I won't insert the clickies or anything. But they aren't that hard to assemble.
COMMANDR
11-15-2007, 07:40 AM
No worrys with me Kenom :) In fact I may pop for another with driver since they are good for red or blu-ray diodes. Thanks for all the hard work.
Gary
future_prius
11-16-2007, 12:39 PM
Is there a place to sent payment yet?
Cheers,
Rick
Kenom
11-16-2007, 05:10 PM
I've got google checkout completed but I don't have a website yet to put the links to google checkout on. I'm working fast tho. I'll keep you updated.
Kenom
11-16-2007, 05:12 PM
For those that can't pay via google checkout and need to paypal the money you can send payment to kenkassidy@hotmail.com Please include 3% for paypal fees. Shipping and handling fees will be $5 for in the states $8.95 for priority upgrade, and $15 international. So include shipping and the $35 for the barrel plus 3% for fees if you use paypal and for those that aren't going to use paypal, hold on I'll get with google checkout soon!
Please make sure if you send paypal payment that you include your forum ID so I know who each payment is coming from.
future_prius
11-16-2007, 08:09 PM
Since we're still at 59, sign me up for a 3rd one for lucky 60.
I'll wait for the Google checkout.
Thanks for doing this Kenom!
Kenom
11-16-2007, 09:50 PM
Actually Future_prius. We've already reached the 60 mark but I've just not updated here yet! Now I collect money from everyone and as soon as I get all the payments I'll start the process of getting these turned. I'm shooting for having these completed prior to the end of the year but I'm leaving myself a 2 month time frame to account for any "issues"
Google checkout is setup but I havn't figured out how to add things to a cart yet so you have to pay for both the shipping and the barrel seperately.
http://kenkassidy.googlepages.com/home
Weylan
11-17-2007, 04:02 PM
weylan CPF interested in 2x for CR123 version.
Kenom
11-17-2007, 08:04 PM
Ok weylan, I'll add you to the buyers. Now you need to follow the link for payment either google checkout at http://kenkassidy.googlepages.com/home
or follow the instructions above for payment via paypal.
Now that we've reached our totals I'm just waiting for payment from everyone to start the run. YOU WILL ALL GET TO SEE THE PROTOTYPE VERY VERY SOON!.
mrsinbad
11-17-2007, 10:07 PM
Money sent for 2 laser barrels. Please check your PM for more details. Thanks.
RDZombie
11-18-2007, 11:39 AM
Kenom, you got room for 2 more?
also you said it will hold 2 AAs, im planning on using these for bluray, is the driver board a booster circuit as well?
Kenom
11-18-2007, 07:00 PM
Ok let me clarify. These do NOT use AA's or AA sized batteries. Most folks wanted a cr123 host so that's what I'm using. this host will house 2 cr123's. the driver that is included is designed to run off 2 cr123's both the bluray or the red diode. I do have more room in the GB if yoru cool with 2 cr123's
Meduza
11-19-2007, 10:35 AM
Do you have place for one more, i have a red diode left from the GB that is waiting for a host?
Is 35$ + 15$ + 3% = 51.5$ correct sum to pay for me (one tube, international)?
Kenom
11-19-2007, 05:37 PM
Do you have place for one more, i have a red diode left from the GB that is waiting for a host?
Is 35$ + 15$ + 3% = 51.5$ correct sum to pay for me (one tube, international)?
Yes there is room for more. at present I don't even know how many total we've got as I've gotten extra orders for more. I'm sure we're ok cause I'm having 100 turned and we went forward at 60.
kingkong
11-19-2007, 07:33 PM
you got $$ for 3.
Thanks,
RDZombie
11-20-2007, 05:44 AM
Ok let me clarify. These do NOT use AA's or AA sized batteries. Most folks wanted a cr123 host so that's what I'm using. this host will house 2 cr123's. the driver that is included is designed to run off 2 cr123's both the bluray or the red diode. I do have more room in the GB if yoru cool with 2 cr123's
Ok must have missed that, but not a problem at all.
Payment send for 2!
Kenom
11-20-2007, 07:32 AM
Got your payment kingkong and RDzombie. Very soon I'll have a workin model to show you all!
Kenom
11-26-2007, 06:38 AM
I've put together a sketch that shows exactly what this laser barrel entails.
Were waiting on payment for a few barrels for this to go forward.
starfiretoo
11-26-2007, 07:13 PM
:paypal: :thanks:
MrMimizu
11-29-2007, 10:47 AM
Hi there,
In for one of these barrels. I see that it works with Daedal's blueray diodes, does it also work with the violet one from Dr Lava's group buy?
:paypal:
Also, I was away on vacation during both the groupbuys for laser diodes. Does anyone have either a blue or violet they'd like to part with or know where I can buy one?
Kenom
11-29-2007, 10:08 PM
Daedal will be starting up another GB shortly and I'm sure he'll post it on cpf marketplace.
These barrels will work with any 5.6mm laser diode so all the bluray diodes I've seen are the correct size.
PhantomPhoton
12-02-2007, 08:09 PM
I think I'd be interested as well. I can get along just fine with CR123. I haven't had much luck with NiMh and lasers; I only use NiMh or 14500 AAs.
Kenom
12-03-2007, 07:30 AM
Ok phantomphoton. We've got room for 1 or 2 more folks. Payment instructions are above.
Google Checkout completed. Thanks for making room for me.
Kenom
12-04-2007, 09:55 PM
Google Checkout completed. Thanks for making room for me.
got it thanks!
Meduza
12-06-2007, 02:10 PM
Whopps... forgot to check this thread out... do you have still have room for me?
(If yes, i will pay you immedeatly)
Kenom
12-06-2007, 09:30 PM
Yes I still have a few barrels available. payment instructions above.
Kenom
12-06-2007, 09:31 PM
Ok here comes another selection stage. This is where everyone involved sends me a PM indicating the color of the button cover they would like to get. I will post a picture of the colors I have and how many are available. those that send me pm's the quickest will have the pick of the litter as far as color is concerned. I only have a limited supply of each color so unfortunetly if your not quick you don't getta pick. Hey I should market that slogan. "if your not quick, you don't getta pick!"® :)
Ok picture.
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2931/endcapshh2.jpg
total of each color
Red = 20
Glow in the dark = 45
black = 32
Orange = 12
Oh and if you don't get a color you like or would like to be able to change the color you can buy these from DX (where I got em) for relatively cheap. no more than $3
