Green Laser Pointer

In this project, I built a solid enclosure for a green laser module I brought from futurlec for $15 AUD. This was in response to an older laser module of mine being damaged.

The old laser module's enclosure was inadequate, and I wanted the new one to be sturdier, as well as having options to run the laser in continuous mode as well as push-button mode.

Step 1 Materials and Equipment

Materials used were:
1 green laser module. (This particular module takes 5V to run.)
1 double pole, single throw switch.
1 momentary button.
1 4AA battery pack.
2 40mm PVC end caps.
1 short section of PVC.
1 40x40 piece of polypropylene plastic. (from a cutting board).
3mm metric fasteners. (Small bolts.)
Shrink wrap.
Solder.

Equipment used were:
Drill press. (I actually used a mini drill-press that takes a hand drill.)
Dremel with cutting disks and sanding wheel attachments.
Soldering iron.
Blow torch.

Comments

[curious youth]

use a heatsink lad

[Electorials]

I must say it became really big for just a few components,
but it just looks so cool!

it's like an epic laser tool

[ancienthart]

The only issue I have with it, is the laser compartment warms up too much. Still have to drill some holes in that section of it.

[Electorials]

I think it's better if you'd add a good heatsink. If you do so, make sure that air is able to flow by there. ;)

[Thereyouhaveit]

That's not good ... its only about 10mW , what's the lightning around you ?

[Skwerl]

hot glue does melt at a low temp, and lasers get pretty hot. so i wouldnt recommend this on a strong strong laser.

[Thereyouhaveit]

If it is 50mW , the heat is quite manageable even after 10mins of constant shining , even if you are holding the end where the diode is .

[Stevie89]

Epoxy then?

[ancienthart]

The laser is moderately powered at best, and I chose hot-glue deliberately so that I could remove the module later if I stuffed something up.

[Stevie89]

What about the .... aaaa.. damn don't remember the damn but something like gorilla glue? they make "duct" tape.. it's stronger then glue, high temperature?

[Thereyouhaveit]

Or some white gaffer tape .

[ancienthart]

That sounds like a nice idea.
Currently I'm having difficulty with the diode overheating - I suspect that while it gives out 50mW of light, it consumes a heck of a lot more electrical power, and puts out a lot more heat.

[Thereyouhaveit]

It might be because of it's efficiency , lasers are set to give out 50mW until overheating comes in .
But its different with fluorescents , because the amount of heat they give out , + the amount of light = total energy .
That means 40W might actually mean 35W , because they don't have efficiencies matching LED's

[junits15]

what is so special about eneloop batteries?

[ancienthart]

They hold a charge for a long time. 80% over a year. And that's not marketing hype. They last so long, I often have a hard time remembering where I put the recharger when my camera batteries need a top-up.

[tunkymunky]

good instructable. the only critsism i will have to make is that it looks kinda bulky. other than that it looks pretty cool

[meagherze]

where did u get the laser module from? im in aus and im not sure where i can buy from, or import from to make my own

[ancienthart]

www.futurlec.com.au They're based in Taiwan, and it takes 3-4 weeks by regular post, but at $15, I can wait.

[Skwerl]

rechargeable always means power fluctuation. if your driver is not very good you can pop your laser.

[ancienthart]

Ouch. The driver comes with the laser module, and since it's so cheap, it probably isn't all that good. :(

[toxicwolf]

it looks a lot like a pipe bomb was that on purpose or what either way it is cool

[ancienthart]

Actually noooooo. :( I wanted to use this as a demonstration laser in the science classes I teach, but now I'm too paranoid - the kids pick up on connections like this too fast as it is.

[toxicwolf]

lol well im in 9th going to 10th grade and i know how most students are for example: my algebra teacher brought in a vase well the vase looked similar to a bong and he got reported by a teacher cuz one of the snoby students said it wuz a bong and he wuz using it with weed and he almost lost his job (he used to be a botanist i think he said) so he loves flowers thats why he brought the vase cuz he wuz bringing in some tulips to go in the class.. but on to the whole pipebomb thing maybe if u made a box out of a old cell phone like one of those old nokias the a nice size i used to have one but i wanted my uncle who was a sapper to show me how to make a remote detinator out of a phone well i let him use mine cuz i never liked it cuz the size i was about 9 or 10 then and i still remember how to make them but i never make them cuz ive got no reason

[lemminggenocide]

legality of ownership varies from state to state
for most states there are no laws but in vic they are completely illegal as lasers, but not as components of tools or machines.
you can buy 1mw red ones from cheapo stores, but you'd struggle to see the light that they emit :/

[ancienthart]

I'm pretty sure they're still legal up here in Queensland, though I'm sure that won't last long. I originally bought it so I could use it for optic demonstrations in the science classes I teach. The little red ones can't be seen from the _front_ of the classroom, let alone the back. Living near an airport, I'm too paranoid to use it anywhere else in public.

[KentaGrace]

Is it just me, or does this thing look like a bomb?  I suggest that you DO NOT bring this with you on any kind of flight.  Just saying, but it's always best to be cautious of this kind of look.

[ancienthart]

Hi Fashim,
This particular power of laser pointer is borderline in Australia. I think the 100+mW lasers (e.g. Wicked Lasers) aren't allowed. The 10mW green laser pointers are legal, as long as you don't use them outdoors, especially near airports.
There IS talk about bringing in a law to require a license, which I think is overkill - they're not that powerful. :(

[cdousley]

There is a reply button.....

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its in the bottom right corner of a comment

[four_eyes954]

It looks like a bomb lol but nice ible

[Fashim]

Is this like the illegal ones that arent allowed in Australia?

[ancienthart]

Thank you. Having the dremel tool made all the difference - the disk sanding tool was used on all cuts to get rid of the burrs.

[rimar2000]

What neat work!