SET UP.
A
B
D
H
C
I
[R] Front surface mirrors,
1" round or square ( 2)
Get the lightest weight you
can, to improve sensitivity.
E
FG
M
[Y] Sheet cork, 2" square
We used a drink coaster.
L
J
K
[Z] Thin rubber membrane
from a glove or heavy balloon
Q
N
R
S
O
P
[Q] Silicone adhesive and
5-minute epoxy
T
U
V
DC power jack (optional) to
match the speakers’ wall-wart
W
X
Y
Z
Panel-mount RCA jacks ( 2)
(optional)
MATERIALS
For each voltage circuit
( 1 per laser, 1 per motor):
For each lunchbox:
[A] Metal lunchbox about
$12 on eBay
[G] Capacitors: 10μF
electrolytic, 0.1μF
[R] Front surface mirror,
1½" square $4 from Edmund
Scientific (scientificsonline.
com), part #3052323
TOOLS
[S] Washer to fit the
motor shaft
Pliers, needlenose pliers,
and tweezers
[L] Electronic components:
[B] 2" plywood to fit the
bottom of the lunchbox
LM317 voltage regulator For the Diffracterator:
Tinsnips or hacksaw, file,
and hammer for metal work
[C] Metal flat or angle
stock for the side rails. Perforated Hyco bar is handy.
[D] 12V DC power supply
with connectors wall-wart
or bench supply
[E] Small laser module or
disassembled laser pointer
[F] Diode, 1N4003
[G] Capacitors: 10μF
electrolytic, 0.1μF
[H] Perforated metal pipe
hanger strap about 3'
Pipe hangers Sioux Chief
½", ¾"
Photograph by Sam Murphy
[I] Phillips-head
sheet metal screws
[J] Paint, matte black
[K] Heat sinks and/or 12V
DC cooling fans (optional)
for more powerful lasers
(over 10m W) and their
voltage regulators
Resistor, 240Ω
Potentiometer, 2kΩ
We used micro pots, but
regular pots are easier to
adjust. You can also use
a 1kΩ pot for a narrower
output range of 1.25V–6V.
[M] Insulated hookup wire
[N] Perf board a small piece
For the Lumia:
[O] DC gearmotor that runs
about 1rpm at 3V DC. We
used a Mabuchi RF-500T, $5
from Skycraft Parts & Surplus
( skycraftsurplus.com).
[P] Transparent disk Use a
clear plastic cover disk from
a pack of CD-Rs or DVD-Rs,
or cut a glass disk 4½" diameter with a 1" center hole
[Q] Plastic model cement
or clear 5-minute epoxy
[O] DC gearmotors ( 3)
as above
[Q] Plastic model cement
or clear 5-minute epoxy
[T] Transmissive diffraction grating, matrix (aka
double axis) $3 a sheet
from Rainbow Symphony
( rainbowsymphony.com)
Reflective diffraction
grating, matrix, 1¼" round
$12 for a 57mm x 42mm
piece, Dragon Lasers (dragon
lasers.com) part #DGRM.
[U] 1" plexiglass,
5½" round
[V] Scrap of plastic
[W] White nylon spacer,
½" diameter, ½" long
For the Motiondizer:
[X] Small matched
speakers ( 2) and amplifier
Find a used set of powered
computer speakers for $5
or so.
Pop rivet tool and rivets
Bench vise doubles as an
anvil to pound out the curvature of the strap hangers
Saw to cut the plywood base
Drill and bits
8-32 tap and drill set, with
tap handle for Diffracterator
Propane torch for
Diffracterator
Paintbrush if not using
spray paint
Soldering station: Iron,
solder, damp sponge
Voltmeter
Wire cutter/stripper
Phillips screwdriver
Pipe cutter (optional)
to cut open laser pointers
Toothpick
113 Make:
