Summary

A very simple rig for sweeping a line laser over an object- great for those about to or currently experimenting with laser scanners

Instructions

Laser Scanner Setup instructions

This item can be made from 6mm or Â¼â€ mdf (as mine was), laser cut board, or printed. Iâ€™d be interested if anyone does end up printing this.

It is a very simple device- useful for those experiments when you want to try DIY laser scanning out without building a stepper motor controller/ board.

To build you'll need the following plastic/wood parts
1x Laser Scanner Frame1
1x Laser Scanner Frame2
1x Gearmotor Lift Cam

You'll also need:
1x Low ratio gear motor (I used a 2rpm unit)
1x Line laser
1x Laser mount (as per http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:41912)
1x Small self tapping screw to attach the cam to the motor output shaft
2x Slightly longer self tapping screws to mount the motor/ gearbox
1x Base plate (or a tripod, or arm to mount it to- up to you)
2x M5x20 bolts (for attaching the laser mount to the moving part of the frame)
2x M5 Nuts (for above)
4x M5 washers (for above)
1x M8x20 bolt (as the pivot)
1x M8 Nut
2x M8 washers

This doesnâ€™t really need build instructions butâ€¦..

Assemble the line laser to the laser mount
Add the moving part of the frame to the laser/mount assembly using the M5 bolts and washers
Fit the motor to the static part of the frame. The output should poke through the frame. Put the longer screws through the slots (but donâ€™t tighten) to hold the motor in position.
Add the cam to the motor/gearbox output shaft. Adjust gearbox position to suit and tighten screws
Fit the static frame section to whatever mount you have to hand (or add a scrap bit of material to form a base- thatâ€™s what I did (it wasnâ€™t ideal, but youâ€™ve been warned))
Join the two parts of the frame together using the M8 bolt. Donâ€™t over tighten this- the arm wont move freely if you do.

Thatâ€™s it- the build is done.

I found that using a hacked computer power supply gave me 3.3v, 5v etc which meant that I could adjust the speed to suit. If everything has been assembled correctly your laser should gently sweep up and down.

Modify as you need and share away.

As previously, if I've missed anything, let me know.

That's it. Enjoy.

Laser Scanner - Simple Motion Control