Jubilee Laser
[diy science laser jubilee Jubilee is an open-source & extensible multi-tool motion platform which can be used for laboratory automation. Let’s make a laser tool…
Science backstory
We’ve been having fun with a little Wainlux K10 5W diode laser ($150/alibaba) to make laser-cut paper microfluidics. To continue the fun, we want to build a frugal self-driving lab device to optimize parameters, etc.
Background info
Jubilee uses Duet 3 Mini 5+ which natively support laser engraver/cutter control — assumes a standard 12V laser with 5V active-high PWM signal — so there shouldn’t be any electrical fiddling needed to make this work, just mount it.
First Step: 5 mW 650 nm laser pointer
Objective: Demonstrate that you can successfully operate a laser tool on the Jubilee platform, using a low power Class II laser (glorified laser pointer)
Supplies:
- 5 mW 650 nm TTL laser diode ($19/adafruit) – this is switched in the same way that bigger lasers are
- 5V linear voltage regulator 7805 TO-220 ($1/adafruit) — typical laser engravers supply 12V, but the diode takes a 5V supply, so step down the voltage. Might as well add a heat sink too.
- 4x 0.1 uF capacitors ($2/adafruit) – per notional design specs for the 7805 (Figure 8)
- JST XH 2.5 - 3 pin socket ($1/adafruit) — these are the standard connectors used on TTL lasers
- JST XH2.54-3Pin cable ($7/amazon) — 80 cm tends to be a common length, but maybe go longer instead?
TODO: Write up circuit diagram TODO: Consider fabricating PCB with DKRed service instead of the usual JLPCB TODO: Design Jubilee tool to hold it in place. Good practice in designing tools…good cad practice for students TODO: Test on Jubilee
Next Step: 5W 450nm diode laser
Objective: After establishing that you can do this safely, go for MORE POWER! Class 4 laser
- LaserTree 5W 450nm laser module ($85/amazon) seems to fit the bill: standard 12V power, 5V PWM control.
- Get some laser safety glasses
TODO: Laser safety consultation TODO: Design Jubilee tool TODO: Test