Simple one axis laser gimbal

This is a simple one axis version of a laser gimbal I made that can be controlled by any MCU like an Arduino.

Uses a single coil with AC current to manipulate the angle of a mirror. Attached to the back of the mirror is a simple rare earth magnet with poles perpendicular to the coil's magnetic field. Rubber bands provide the restive force that pulls the mirror back to the center position but this can also be accomplished by reversing the current in the coil repetitively until the middle position is found.

The design inspiration for this project came from the Peachy Printer 3D printer: http://www.peachyprinter.com/

http://www.KyleORourke.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwnjW6LFbGg

1) Print parts. Duh!

2) Cut a plastic mirror to 8mm x 8mm square.

3) Glue the mirror to the mirror mount. Then glue your choice of rubber band to the mirror using Loctite super glue. (Make multiple mirror squares and mounts, you are going to mess up a bunch.)

4) Glue a small magnet with the poles perpendicular to the back of the mirror. DO NOT just glue one pole-side of the magnet to the back of the mirror otherwise you will just be creating a very bad sounding speaker. (Use pictures for reference.)

5) Glue the 'Coil holder' to the 'Coil backer'.

6) Calculate the amount of windings needed for you setup using this website: http://www.production-solution.com/coil-calculator.htm

Use 14 mm for bobbin diameter and 10.5 mm for bobbin length. Leave "gap distance between solenoid and metal" blank.

7) Control the coil like you would any other DC brushed motor. Use transistors with protection diodes and capacitors for EMF. If you are not familiar with EMF or how to protect your transistors against it try using this Arduino shield to start: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9815

8) Please be careful when playing with lasers and always wear protective goggles! (I have lost quite a bit of my color vision for not heading this advice myself!)