My Maquette:

My maquette is essentially a cardboard framed box covered in saran wrap. I put holes in the top to promote airflow for the smoke and a small hole in the bottom to hold the incense stick. And at this point, I have been sticking the laser pointer in through the bottom and wiggling it by hand.

Some things I’ve Realised doing this:

• I should limit the number of holes on top
• I should include holes on the bottom to allow for airflow
• The smoke forms are much easier to see / more vibrant in the dark, so I may need to make a black box / viewing box contraption for it
• I’ve also now considered using more than one incense at a time
• And I’ve started debating if I’ll use a row of consecutive laser diodes or a single laser with a rapid back and forth motion (I think the latter looks better, but the former is more doable)
  • And thought about possibly mounting them all on a hinge to allow users to control the direction of lasers
• I’ve also thought about using one or two mirrors to help bounce the lasers

Shopping List:

• Laser Diodes
• Acrylic Sheets
• Sheets of Plywood to laser cut for the frame / box
• Incense (already bought)
• Maybe mirrors

Tools:

• Drill
• Laser Cutter
• Screws / Nails / Fasteners