How to Make a Hard Drive Projector: Advanced Guide [2024]
- An old hard drive can be repurposed into a DIY laser projector, using components like a motor, laser, and mirror array to project messages up to 90 meters away.
- Required materials include a hard drive motor, 520 nm green diode laser, circular mirror array, sensors, phototransistors, brushless motor driver, perf board, batteries, and safety goggles.
- The process involves designing a mirror array, incorporating sensors, assembling a frame with Arduino and Bluetooth, building laser circuitry, and setting up a power supply, resulting in a functional and portable projector.
If you have an old hard drive lying around collecting dust, don’t throw it away just yet. While the traditional hard drives are being replaced by modern storage devices using fast tech (such as SDDs), they can still be quite useful for several other purposes.
Especially if you’re a fan of DIY-ing, repurposing computer parts to create some interesting devices is a project worth the effort. The DIY hard drive projector is just that! With the help of a few other pieces of equipment, you can create a fully functional projector that uses a laser to project messages from a long distance.
Table of Contents:
What is a Hard Drive Projector?
The DIY enthusiast Ben brought forward a unique approach to build a portable projector using the concept of “persistence of vision” where an image produced by a moving object doesn’t disappear as soon as it passes by. Ben wanted a coherent light source, unlike the ones in regular projectors, and hence came up with the idea of using a laser.
In his YouTube video, he explains how an old hard drive can be transformed into a laser projector that can display numbers and texts (at most 20 characters) from a distance of up to 90 meters. Powered by batteries, the hard drive projector can also connect via Bluetooth, adding to its feasibility and portability.
To put it generally, a hard drive laser projector uses a laser beam moving at an incredibly quick speed to create lines. This laser beam is reflected off of several rapidly spinning mirrors arranged in a circular array to create horizontal lines across a surface.
By controlling the angle of reflection of the laser beam and its ON and OFF state, the projector is able to produce lines of varying lengths. This entire operation is based on a digital code that allows the laser beam to create specific patterns. The principle of “persistence of vision” allows a human eye to perceive the constant flickering of lines as a constant formation.
READ MORE: Multi-Channel Home Theater: Everything You Need to Know ➜
What You’ll Need
While a hard drive already contains several components needed to build a laser projector (such as the tiny motors), you will require several other materials to obtain the perfect look for your DIY hard drive projector. You can get this type of equipment from eBay or local stores. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Motor from a hard drive
- Laser (520 nm green diode laser)
- Circular array of mirrors
- Sensors
- Phototransistors
- Brushless motor driver
- Perf board
- Batteries (8AA)
- Safety goggles
READ MORE: How to Setup Screen Mirroring for a PC ➜
How to Make a Hard Drive Projector
Although making a hard drive projector may seem complicated, the end result is quite rewarding and will make you forget the initial challenges.
Step 1: Design a Mirror Array
Begin by designing a cylindrical drum with holes on each of the 12 sides by using software, such as Fusion 360. Every side will incorporate a mirror set at a slightly different adjustable angle. Also, make sure that the size of each mirror is the same. After designing, utilize a 3D printer to print out the mirror array.
Step 2: Incorporate the Sensors into the Hard Drive
Remove all of the screws and the lid from your old hard drive. Unscrew the components you don’t need, such as data disks, etc. Next, create a hole into the bottom of the hard drive’s aluminum housing to install the sensors and cut off some of the housing to allow for the laser’s heat sink. Then, mount the laser into the hard drive with tape and align it with the mirror array.
READ MORE: How To Make A DIY Arduino and Bluetooth Controlled Robotic Arm ➜
Step 3: Assemble the Frame
Set up a circuit by soldering Arduino, LED, and all the other components into the perf board. For portability, add a Bluetooth module into the circuit to connect Arduino directly to your smartphone.
Step 4: Build a Constant Current Laser Driver Circuitry
Next step is designing and building a laser circuitry using a voltage regulator to give the laser a fixed amount of current. Once that is done, connect the circuitry to the laser diode and add a MOSFET transistor to control the laser’s on and off state.
Step 5: Connecting the Power Supply
Connect the batteries to the battery holder and utilize a 3D printer to print out a base section for the battery holder and attach it to the bottom of the hard drive. Once the power supply is connected to the motor and laser, you’re all set to try your new project out!
You can also design and print a casing to protect the projector and its components from any sort of damage. For a complete tutorial, watch Ben Makes Everything explain each step in detail.
Real Projector vs Hard Drive Projector
A real projector typically uses an LED and lenses, while a laser projector made from a hard drive uses a laser as a light source. Although a real projector employs complex optical systems and offers high resolution, it is quite expensive.
On the other hand, a laser projector made from an old hard drive is limited by many factors, such as laser power, mirror precision, and overall quality. However, DIY-ing a laser projector will give you a sense of achievement, help you learn many things, and save you money by salvaging what you already have.
READ MORE: How to Check if Your Hard Disk Has Failed or Failing ➜
Conclusion
While creating your DIY hard drive projector, beware of the safety risks associated with lasers. Make sure to use the laser for its intended purpose only and avoid pointing it at others as that may cause serious damage. Remember safety always comes first!
Hard Drive Projector
As long as certain components that you need to make your projector are functional, such as the motor, etc., you can certainly use a faulty hard drive for your projector.
The power requirements usually depend on various factors, such as the laser used, the motor of the hard drive, etc. For a laser projector, it typically consists of a few AA batteries connected in series.
The lifespan of a hard drive laser projector largely depends on the quality and durability of the components used for its manufacture, particularly the electrical components, motor, laser diode, and mirrors. When making a DIY project, the quality of all the materials used varies greatly. Moreover, the longevity of these materials is influenced by the usage and maintenance of the projector, which can allow for a longer lifespan.
