Class 1 lasers

[Keefe2471]

There seems to be various definitions of class 1 laser online. Does the assembled intelligence of Chief Delphi believe that a spec. sheet with a picture and a bunch of documentation that says the laser is a class 1 laser according to the manufacturer would sufficiently satisfy the inspectors?

That said does anyone have a source of a class 1 laser for under 50-100$?
We have only found ones in the 150$ price range.

Thanks in advance.

[Trez]

Why do want a class one laser? What I've read is that the only way a laser would allowed be on the robot is if the laser was part of a laser gyro.

[tomy]

ROBOT parts shall not be made from hazardous materials, be unsafe, cause an unsafe condition, or interfere with the operation of other ROBOTS.


Examples of items that will violate R08 include (but are not limited to):

A. Shields, curtains, or any other devices or materials designed or used to obstruct or limit the vision of any drivers and/or coaches and/or interfere with their ability to safely control their ROBOT

B. Speakers, sirens, air horns, or other audio devices that generate sound at a level sufficient to be a distraction

C. Any devices or decorations specifically intended to jam or interfere with the remote sensing capabilities of another ROBOT, including vision systems, acoustic range finders, sonars, infrared proximity detectors, etc. (e.g. including imagery on your ROBOT that, to a reasonably astute observer, mimics the VISION TARGET)

D. Exposed lasers other than Class I.

E. Flammable gasses

F. Any device intended to produce flames or pyrotechnics

G. Hydraulic fluids or hydraulic components

Teams should provide MSD Sheets for any materials they use that might be considered questionable during ROBOT Inspection.

You can use Class 1 lasers.

[Keefe2471]

^^^^ Thanks for the citation. We have found a laser pointer in the shop to be of use in guesstimating the angle of our shooter is required to be at to make a shot. Anyone have a clue about definitions of laser classes or where to get a inexpensive class 1?

[ferret_guy]

laser are classed according to there output power http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_safety#section_4

[mrnoble]

We actually looked into this a while ago; it wasn't me who did the research, so I'm sure the number I will give you isn't correct. That said, laser pointers are classified as something like a 3b class, and not a class 1.

[vhcook]

Almost every laser pointer I've ever seen is class 3A. If you do manage to find one in Class 1, there is likely to be a clear label affixed to the product (laser labelling is pretty stringent). In combination with the spec sheets and manufacturer documentation, that should be more than sufficient for the inspectors.

Wikipedia is pretty accurate on the subject of laser classifications. (I've read several of the underlying standards, which say basically the same things, but in technical legalese.)

[jtdowney]

We have found a laser pointer in the shop to be of use in guesstimating the angle of our shooter is required to be at to make a shot. Anyone have a clue about definitions of laser classes or where to get a inexpensive class 1?

Do be careful if you will expose a laser outside of your robot. If it shines in the eyes of drivers, spectators, or volunteers you will likely be asked to remove it for safety reasons.

[runneals]

There seems to be various definitions of class 1 laser online. Does the assembled intelligence of Chief Delphi believe that a spec. sheet with a picture and a bunch of documentation that says the laser is a class 1 laser according to the manufacturer would sufficiently satisfy the inspectors?

That said does anyone have a source of a class 1 laser for under 50-100$?
We have only found ones in the 150$ price range.

Thanks in advance.

They have them for ~$100 on McMaster (http://www.mcmaster.com/#lasers/=ljomtm)

[Dancin103]

As long as the laser turns on and off as part of the robots system and it is class 1 you can use it. Be prepared to have to cover it up in the pit while doing testing. We used a vertical line laser last year to do alignment and we had no problem. As long as the documentation from the manufacturer says it's class 1 you should be fine.

[Mark McLeod]

Those all appear to be Class III and some Class II lasers.
Not safe or legal for FRC.

Perhaps you meant to link to a different McMaster page.

They have them for ~$100 on McMaster (http://www.mcmaster.com/#lasers/=ljomtm)

[Keefe2471]

Thanks for your help. Could you tell me which laser you used last year? Thanks

[Brandon Holley]

Those all appear to be Class III and some Class II lasers.
Not safe or legal for FRC.

Perhaps you meant to link to a different McMaster page.

I believe http://www.mcmaster.com/#2073A21 is Class 1M. No idea what "1M" means versus just "1".

-Brando

[Mark McLeod]

I believe http://www.mcmaster.com/#2073A21 is Class 1M. No idea what "1M" means versus just "1".

-Brando
Maybe he was talking about the laser mount being ~$100...

[vhcook]

I believe http://www.mcmaster.com/#2073A21 is Class 1M. No idea what "1M" means versus just "1".

-Brando

1M means it's a broad-beam laser that's Class 1 for the naked eye but not safe (over class 1, not higher than Class 3B) when viewed through magnifying optics. I'm not sure whether FIRST would permit it, but considering that there's a possibility folks in the stands are using binoculars, I'm not sure I'd chance it.

[Tristan Lall]

Note that there is a distinction (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_safety#Classification) between "Class I" and "Class 1". (The rules appear to call for the former, which was the designation used in previous versions of ANSI Z136.1 and IEC 60825.)

Also, the classification is valid for the entire assembled device, not the laser emitter itself (e.g. the laser diode). If you disassemble a device, its rating is no longer applicable.