I am working on a contract project and need a little help sourcing a
couple of parts.
First is a rotary click wheel switch like you might find on the side
of a mobile phone or blackberry. Something that operates with a
finger or thumb and can be rotated indefinitely in either direction
for control and ideally clicked inward for a third function.
Secondly, a cheap laser diode (think a $2.99 laser pointer). What's
the best way to implement this as part of a project?
It's important that both of these be easily sourced from reliable
sources in production quantities for the future of the product.
The wheel can be found easily from Mouser or Digikey. The laser
may be more of a problem, if you want visible. Plus, laser diodes
are EXTREMELY static sensitive (no really)(really really really).
To give an idea, just transferring laser diodes from one static proof
container to another, with wriststrap, heel strap, at a grounded
bench in a static smock on a static safe chair dragging a chain on
a conductive surface floor, I still managed to kill 3 of 30.
> Hi,
>
> I am working on a contract project and need a little help sourcing a
> couple of parts.
>
> First is a rotary click wheel switch like you might find on the side
> of a mobile phone or blackberry. Something that operates with a
> finger or thumb and can be rotated indefinitely in either direction
> for control and ideally clicked inward for a third function.
>
> Secondly, a cheap laser diode (think a $2.99 laser pointer). What's
> the best way to implement this as part of a project?
>
> It's important that both of these be easily sourced from reliable
> sources in production quantities for the future of the product.
>
> Thanks very much,
> James Nick Sears
>The laser
> may be more of a problem, if you want visible. Plus, laser diodes
> are EXTREMELY static sensitive (no really)(really really really).
>
> To give an idea, just transferring laser diodes from one static proof
> container to another, with wriststrap, heel strap, at a grounded
> bench in a static smock on a static safe chair dragging a chain on
> a conductive surface floor, I still managed to kill 3 of 30.
>
> Mike H.
>
> On 12/20/06, James Nick Sears <jnsearsKILLspamjamesnsears.com> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I am working on a contract project and need a little help sourcing a
> > couple of parts.
> >
> > First is a rotary click wheel switch like you might find on the side
> > of a mobile phone or blackberry. Something that operates with a
> > finger or thumb and can be rotated indefinitely in either direction
> > for control and ideally clicked inward for a third function.
> >
> > Secondly, a cheap laser diode (think a $2.99 laser pointer). What's
> > the best way to implement this as part of a project?
> >
> > It's important that both of these be easily sourced from reliable
> > sources in production quantities for the future of the product.
> >
> > Thanks very much,
> > James Nick Sears
> > --
OK, I found the wheel under "edge drive encoder". Is there possibly
available somewhere not just a bare laser diode but some type of
enclosed module that accomplishes this? It's such a common function
in small devices that it's difficult to believe it would be so
difficult to execute.
> On 12/21/06, Mike Hord <EraseMEmike.hordspam_OUTTakeThisOuTgmail.com> wrote:
> > The wheel can be found easily from Mouser or Digikey.
>
> Could you suggest a part number to get started? I haven't had any
> luck searching.
>
>
> >The laser
> > may be more of a problem, if you want visible. Plus, laser diodes
> > are EXTREMELY static sensitive (no really)(really really really).
> >
> > To give an idea, just transferring laser diodes from one static proof
> > container to another, with wriststrap, heel strap, at a grounded
> > bench in a static smock on a static safe chair dragging a chain on
> > a conductive surface floor, I still managed to kill 3 of 30.
> >
> > Mike H.
> >
> > On 12/20/06, James Nick Sears <jnsearsspam_OUTjamesnsears.com> wrote:
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I am working on a contract project and need a little help sourcing a
> > > couple of parts.
> > >
> > > First is a rotary click wheel switch like you might find on the side
> > > of a mobile phone or blackberry. Something that operates with a
> > > finger or thumb and can be rotated indefinitely in either direction
> > > for control and ideally clicked inward for a third function.
> > >
> > > Secondly, a cheap laser diode (think a $2.99 laser pointer). What's
> > > the best way to implement this as part of a project?
> > >
> > > It's important that both of these be easily sourced from reliable
> > > sources in production quantities for the future of the product.
> > >
> > > Thanks very much,
> > > James Nick Sears
> > > --
On 12/21/06, James Nick Sears <@spam@jnsearsKILLspamjamesnsears.com> wrote:
> OK, I found the wheel under "edge drive encoder". Is there possibly
> available somewhere not just a bare laser diode but some type of
> enclosed module that accomplishes this? It's such a common function
> in small devices that it's difficult to believe it would be so
> difficult to execute.
There is; search the Piclist.com archives as I know we've discussed
this in the past but can't remember the outcome. I also know that
in the past I've bought enclosed modules from Radio Shack- basically
a laser pointer with two wires hanging out instead of a battery
compartment.
Mike Hord wrote:
> The wheel can be found easily from Mouser or Digikey. The laser
> may be more of a problem, if you want visible. Plus, laser diodes
> are EXTREMELY static sensitive (no really)(really really really).
>
> To give an idea, just transferring laser diodes from one static proof
> container to another, with wriststrap, heel strap, at a grounded
> bench in a static smock on a static safe chair dragging a chain on
> a conductive surface floor, I still managed to kill 3 of 30.
>
> Mike H.
How were you able to ascertain for certain that they died from static?
In other words, how do you know that you didn't simply have a 10%
dead-on-arrival batch?
As for the laser diode, I assume you don't need to modulate it. That's a
whole other beastie.
If not, IMO, you are better off getting a laser diode module with the
power supply and regulation etc. already done for you.
As for the clicky wheel. Try one of those Chinese parts importer search
engines if you need them in quantity.
I have source for laser modules bookmarked here somewhere...
I'm on my way out the door to meet my wife for dinner, it's my birthday.
Not something I'm wishing to celebrate much anymore. Getting to that
age. I'll have a look tonight or tomorrow though OK?
Later,
Happy first day of winter, winter solstice, birthday, holidays.... everyone!
> Hi,
>
> I am working on a contract project and need a little help sourcing a
> couple of parts.
>
> First is a rotary click wheel switch like you might find on the side
> of a mobile phone or blackberry. Something that operates with a
> finger or thumb and can be rotated indefinitely in either direction
> for control and ideally clicked inward for a third function.
>
> Secondly, a cheap laser diode (think a $2.99 laser pointer). What's
> the best way to implement this as part of a project?
>
> It's important that both of these be easily sourced from reliable
> sources in production quantities for the future of the product.
>
> Thanks very much,
> James Nick Sears
>
Marcel duchamp wrote:
> Mike Hord wrote:
>
>> The wheel can be found easily from Mouser or Digikey. The laser
>> may be more of a problem, if you want visible. Plus, laser diodes
>> are EXTREMELY static sensitive (no really)(really really really).
>>
>> To give an idea, just transferring laser diodes from one static proof
>> container to another, with wriststrap, heel strap, at a grounded
>> bench in a static smock on a static safe chair dragging a chain on
>> a conductive surface floor, I still managed to kill 3 of 30.
>>
>> Mike H.
>>
>
> How were you able to ascertain for certain that they died from static?
> In other words, how do you know that you didn't simply have a 10%
> dead-on-arrival batch?
>
>
Because then they would say "Dell" on them. ;')
> How were you able to ascertain for certain that they died from static?
> In other words, how do you know that you didn't simply have a 10%
> dead-on-arrival batch?
We don't know, for certain. These were lasers being sent out for life
testing, and three failed basically right out of the gate.
To remove that possible influence, we sent out another batch, and
were "extra careful" this time.
The major argument against 10% DOA is that these were factory
direct shipped, and I seriously doubt ROHM would have that high
a dropout rate even on their worst of bad days.
> As for the laser diode, I assume you don't need to
> modulate it. That's a
> whole other beastie.
> If not, IMO, you are better off getting a laser
> diode module with the
> power supply and regulation etc. already done for
> you.
> As for the clicky wheel. Try one of those Chinese
> parts importer search
> engines if you need them in quantity.
>
> I have source for laser modules bookmarked here
> somewhere...
> I'm on my way out the door to meet my wife for
> dinner, it's my birthday.
> Not something I'm wishing to celebrate much anymore.
> Getting to that
> age. I'll have a look tonight or tomorrow though OK?
>
> Later,
> Happy first day of winter, winter solstice,
> birthday, holidays.... everyone!
>
> James Nick Sears wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I am working on a contract project and need a
> little help sourcing a
> > couple of parts.
> >
> > First is a rotary click wheel switch like you
> might find on the side
> > of a mobile phone or blackberry. Something that
> operates with a
> > finger or thumb and can be rotated indefinitely in
> either direction
> > for control and ideally clicked inward for a third
> function.
> >
> > Secondly, a cheap laser diode (think a $2.99 laser
> pointer). What's
> > the best way to implement this as part of a
> project?
> >
> > It's important that both of these be easily
> sourced from reliable
> > sources in production quantities for the future of
> the product.
> >
> > Thanks very much,
> > James Nick Sears
> >
Jinx wrote:
>> Where can I source a powerful laser pointer like 5W?
>
> Might be worth enquiring at Oatley Electronics. They have
> all kinds of stuff pass through their hands, big and small
>
> http://www.oatleyelectronics.com/lasers.html
>
> 5W pointer ? Don't go pointing it at ingles
You are right. 5W is not in the laser pointer product
range. For this range is mW. Thanks for the link. With
laser that wicked, it would be a smoking Christmas....
> > On 12/21/06, Jinx <joecolquittEraseME.....clear.net.nz>
> wrote:
> > > > Where can I source a powerful laser pointer
> like 5W?
> >
> > You cant. It doesn't exist.
>
> The highest I've seen at
> http://www.wickedlasers.com/ is 300 mW.
> --
> D. Jay Newman ! Author of: _Linux
> Robotics: Building Smarter Robots_
> !
> EraseMEjaysprucegrove.com ! "Those who would give up
> essential liberty to
> ! purchase a little
> temporary safety deserve neither
> http://enerd.ws/robots ! liberty nor safety." --
> Benjamin Franklin
> You are right. 5W is not in the laser pointer product
> range. For this range is mW. Thanks for the link. With
> laser that wicked, it would be a smoking Christmas....
I did wonder if maybe you were giving a lecture to the
Hyperopia Association.........
jamesnsears.com> wrote:
