TheThirdMan
The Pocket Single Image Laser Projector is an handheld, pocket-sized projector that throws a single sharp image (a logo, a message, a photo) onto any surface, the focus is ajustable from 5 m up to more thant 100m away. No moving galvos, no electronics-heavy scanning: just a laser, a piece of slide film, and some optics in a machined aluminium body for optimizing heat dissipation.
Note: This project will be launched on crowdsupply.com soon, stay tuned for updates!
Specs
- 1 W, 520 nm green laser diode (Nichia NDG7475)
- super-x-drive-sxd-buck constant-current laser driver with over-temperature protection
- rechargeable power input
- CNC aluminium case, anodized + sanded, integrated heatsink
- Glass focus lens (+ IR filter optional)
- Magnetic quick-swap slide holder
- Projection range: ~5 m to more than 100 m
Build files & resources
- STEP files - the case need to be CNCed or 3D-print in metal, the slide holder resin 3d printed and the lens holder FDM 3d printed
- Laser diode datasheet
- Image PSD Template to print on slide
- Where to order real high-resolution 35 mm photographic slides (see the 35mm unmounted slides log)
(Everything is documented in the project Components & Logs)
⚠️ Laser Safety
This projector is built around a 1 W, 520 nm green laser diode. At this power and wavelength, it is a Class 4 laser — the most hazardous class. This is not a toy, and it is not a laser pointer. Please read this before attempting anything similar.
The hazards:
- Eyes: A 1 W visible beam can cause instant, permanent retinal damage — not just from the direct beam, but from specular reflections. This build bounces the beam off several mirrors, so stray reflections are a real and constant risk during alignment.
- Skin & fire: At 1 W the beam can burn skin and ignite dark or flammable materials at close range. I treat the output aperture the way I'd treat a hot soldering iron.
How I mitigate it:
- I wear CE-certified laser goggles rated 190–540 nm & 800–1700 nm, OD5+ — specifically the Eagle Pair 190–540 & 800–1700 nm (532/1064 nm) OD5+ glasses. My 520 nm output sits inside the 190–540 nm protected band, and OD5+ knocks 1 W down to roughly 10 µW at the eye — well within the eye-safe range for accidental exposure. Goggles protect against accidents; they are not permission to stare into the beam.
- Alignment is done at the lowest workable current, with the beam terminated on a matte, non-reflective beam dump, and no reflective objects (watches, phones, jewelry, glossy surfaces) in the beam path.
- The device is only ever operated in a controlled space with no bystanders, and it stays powered down and stored so it can't be triggered accidentally.
Absolute rules — never break these:
- Never point it at a person, animal, or vehicle.
- Never aim it at the sky or anywhere near aircraft. This projector can throw a visible image from 5 m to ~100 m, and shining a laser at an aircraft is a serious criminal offense in most countries (FAA/EASA and national law). The long throw is a feature for projection onto walls — not a reason to point it outdoors carelessly.
- Do not replicate this build unless you understand Class 4 laser safety and have the proper eyewear matched to 520 nm in hand first.
LesWright
FabLab München
Steve Schuler
J
Hi,
Thank you all for your interest in this project and your great ideas.
I'm working a lot on this project and I'd like to focus on the most important features as possible.
If you have 55sec to fill this form it would be great :
https://pocket-laser-projector.typeform.com/to/BQ4rXn
Thanks a lot
TheThirdMan