V2.0 pic and short vid

Here is a pic of V2.0 of the table (dj stand)

And a short video of it running a track....

V2.0 complete...

Well on Saturday I was able to complete the 2.0 version of the DJ stand. It is extremely large in comparison to V1.0, which may limit its usefullness. I have also decided that in the future, I will purchase a pre-made stand and touch surface from PeauProductions. Costwise and pain in the ass-wise... it seems a better choice considering its fully adjustable in an aluminum frame. I will also be picking up a short throw projector and selling this pico so that I have better luminosity and a shorter throw. Ill post up pics tomorrow... maybe a video as well.

Version 2.0

So after using the first iteration of the table... I found many weaknesses in the design. For one, the table wasnt as sturdy as I had hoped. The acrylic had some flex in it, and with the lasers mounted to the acrylic... that flex caused issues with alignment and stuff. Also the projector was mounted right in front of the user... and any movement would jar the projector off its original location and cause vibration in the display. Lastly the mirror setup... while it was good for enabling a smaller frame footprint, it really caused issues with focus from the projector. I may revisit using mirrors later on... but I have redesigned the frame entirely.

I have also found that the primary use of this frame style is for DJing. Instead of building it for more of a universal user, I raised the rake of the screen so that it would be easier seen from the public side and raised the base height up a bit. The projector is now mounted at the bottom of the frame (and outwards by a short bit). Since it is just a pico projector and not a bright short throw, version 3 may end up being modified for a new projector... but that is down the road.

Lastly I made the frame design to be modular in order to transport it between events. It can be easily broken down using hands and a couple hand tools (note: 2 hex drivers) and ends up as 5 pieces. The wires are also ran inside the frame so that the frame is cleaner looking with also using spade connectors between the pieces. Its made from 1" square steel, so its not light... but extremely sturdy and rigid. I also have changed the projection surface to be sandwiched between a 1/2" thick piece of acrylic and an 1/4" piece of acrylic instead of superglueing it to the back of the acrylic. This helps with being able to replace it when necessary and also keeps it from being damaged in transport.

The laser mounts are hard mounted to the frame that also holds and supports the acrylic. I used some screw bars, cut them up and welded them to each of the corners for the brackets. Hopefully the design allows for a high level of accuracy when aligning them and a low amount of possible de-alignment through use.

In the coming days (weather permitted) I will be finished with paint (also making it more of a finished product) and wiring and will be able to take some pictures and video of it in action.

Been a while... but progress was made

So its been a while since I updated my blog... but there has been a little progress made. I updated the laser brackets and got them mounted with new 10mw lasers. I also adjusted the throw distance slightly to fit the screen better. I also moved it to the desktop I just rebuilt instead of the laptop that needs to be reformatted so it runs smoother.

Here are some videos of it in action now...

Maps:


Maps with 3D skyline:


DJ! well... Matt wasnt a great DJ but you get the idea...



Next up is to modify the frame more, move the projector to the rear of the frame instead of the front, adjust the throw distance and make it a bit more sturdy.

Woot woot!

Ok, so I powered on the table and the lasers were at the correct power.... so figured I would shoot some video.

I calibrated... and knocked the screen resolution down a bit so it would fit a little better till I can adjust the throw.
First up... Globe!

Notice the pinch to zoom and three finger rotate

Second... me playing with photos (matt and I in a speedo!)

Third... me surfing the web (using on screen keyboard!)

So after the videos I played around a bit and its fun. Table is a little shaky but not bad at all!

Lastly... me playing retard DJ! lol the program isnt made for multitouch and I havent installed the midi controller yet so its just rudimentary messing around.

Frame done

So this weekend I was finally able to complete the frame for the pedestal surface.

Frame was built from steel and welded. The mirror and projector mounts are both adjustable. I did find that the throw was too long however and seems to make the desktop too big (just slightly) and so I have to either extend the projector towards the mirror or raise the mirror up higher to shrink it just slightly.

Test video output was good to show the projection size on the surface

Couple of issues however were found once everything was buttoned up.

1) The 2 lasers I was having trouble with before are truly bad. Ive tested power and they both are getting full power but they fade in and out of useable laser strength. The other 2 lasers work perfect. I have submitted for an RMA from PeauProductions where I bought them from.

2) The projector flicks on and off at times. I am wondering if it is a heat issue because the unit does get pretty warm when on bright settings. I may have to come up with a cooling solution for it as well.

3) The afformentioned display size being too large.

Here are some pics of the unit, ignore the messy area....

Progress!!

So tonight I got a bit trashed, and after a days worth of messing around.... I got it to actually work!

Its not as accurate.... but once I mount it in a frame it will be (lasers adjusted)...

but here are som teasers...