Match's Mods: Homemade Integrating Sphere

[quote=Don]

But do you know why the stuff is like the Force?

[/quote]

It has a light side and dark side, and holds the universe together? Makes sense

Btw Match, what do you do in life? It seems craftsmanship "force" is really strong in you...

[quote=Budgeteer]

Btw Match, what do you do in life? It seems craftsmanship "force" is really strong in you...

[/quote]

After a failed career as a shepard, I joined the US military to work on nuclear reactors (and also picked up the nickname-Match). After six years of being a zoomie sponge, I found myself working as a project manager for a large chemical/gas company. These days I do automation engineering for a steel company...but with the added perk of getting to play "hands on" out in the shop in the dirt and grime (never going back to a cubicle). The paychecks are handy, but what keeps me coming back are the fireballs and explosions (ever see a 150MW DC arc furnace? It's a lovely lovely creature...)

(actually I only dreamed of being a shepard...I'm not what you'd call a "people person").

How high does the lux meter have to measure? Is 100,000 lux enough?

Yes. A sphere means the light is spread evenly across the inside. So unless the ball is tiny or it's a massively bright light, it's more than enough.

Thanks

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Meter-LX1010B-Luxmeter-display/dp/B000JWUT6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307479229&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Mastech-Light-LX1010BS-display-Luxmeter/dp/B004KP8RE2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1307479229&sr=8-6

If you had to choose. think it really matters?

If you're planning on building a sphere like I did, I'd go with the Mastech simply because it'll make it easier to mount.

They're actually both mastech. I have orange trim one and it works really well. The "head" on it is smaller and more precise than the other one.

thanks guys, i went with the one with the smaller sensor. Measures higher, even though I dont need it really, has a smaller sensor so I could make a smaller baffle. most importantly it has the ring around the sensor for easier press fitting. wouldnt have thought of that

Happy to have helped. Let us know how your I.S. turns out.

The guy who invented paper mâché. What was his problem?
The paper mâché ball is going well. I have no idea how many coats I have on it. The first few coats I used wallpaper paste because I had some. I didn’t read match’s OP real close the first time I guess and now I see that is what he used first. So I really am following his directions exactly. I think I put too many layers on at once in the beginning. I’m not sure the inner layers are completely dry. After the first layers with wallpaper paste I switched to the 50/50 mix Match used. It’s going good. These layers are drying faster. I have no idea how many layers are on there but it’s getting pretty solid. When I cut it open the those inner layers can dry if they are not already. It has been cold here, if I could let it bake in the sun I could go faster I think. Bottom line is it’s going good. Nice project for the kids to help with also.
The lux meter is coming from amazon and should be here real soon. Great project, can’t wait to achieve my new level of geekdom.
Gotta think about paint jobs also. That will be special , I promise.

Nice work, Langcjl. Keep us updated on how it turns out. The good thing about using the wallpaper glue first is that it contains an anti-fungal agent in it, which will prevent the project from molding before it's complete. As far as the number of layers, I lost count. I just kept adding, then performing a "squeeze" test the next morning. Once I was no longer able to squeeze and feel the ball underneath, I called it good (no need to squeeze too hard though).

I don't think I've asked before...what part of Wisconsin are you in?

Match, I’m in the southern part below Madison. Right in the middle of the huge cornfield.

Very nice. My folks are near the Twin Cities, and I still head over to River Falls/Ellsworth every now and then to visit some old friends.

Okay Lang, I hope you're happy - you did it again. I just ordered this meter for use in my upcoming Match inspired IS project. Now, off to the drug store to find a bouncy ball. This project will remove all doubt from those around me about my being a worthy candidate for some type of institutional psychological rehabilitation.

Foy

We knew you would come around soon.

I finally cut the ball apart. It was pretty cool when I punctured the ball. I used kitchen plastic wrap and that worked nicely. No sticking or anything. I used a hole saw to cut the holes. I made the flashlight hole as big as my SF Masterpiece because it is the biggest one I have. For the Lux meter hole I only made a 2cm because I don't know how big the sensor will be. Hopefully it will come in the mail today. Match, how did you cut your holes? I used a hole saw but don't know how I am going to fine tune the sensor hole. I tried a sanding bit and a stone grinding bit on the dremel but they didn't do anything. Maybe the hole I already made will be perfect. It could happen.

http://www.lightglassoptics.com/Newport-819-IS-2-Integrating-Sphere--2-inch_p_709.html

$1100 for a two inch lab grade one!

And the detectors (meters) are expensive!

Looking very nice, Lang! I cut and trimmed my holes using a very sharp razor blade.