Hello, I wanted to see if I could get some help with a circuit. I am definitely a novice with electronics and reading diagrams but have made some simple circuits before so not a complete beginner.
The problem I am trying to solve is this. I work with a laser engraving machine that has a fairly bright blue LED that lights when the part/cycle is complete. For long cycle times I tend to multitask and do something else on the other side of the room or with my back to the machine. So I often get side tracked and the machine will sit idle until I remember to turn around and see if the complete LED is lit up. The stages of the complete LED are this. When the laser is idle and the door is open (loading/unloading) the LED is off. When you start marking a part and laser is working the LED is off. When the cycle is complete the LED will illuminate and stay lit until the door is opened and then it will turn off.
So my thought was if I could make a little tube/cover to go over the LED with a LDR or something similar to detect when the LED comes on and make a beep. Ideally I would like to replicate the LED outside the cover so as not to lose the visual indication as well, but could live without it. I found an interesting circuit someone posted awhile back for an alarm to indicate a garage door was open. But not sure how to properly adapt from the reed switch to the LDR or some sort of light sensing component. Title and link to the afore mentioned circuit below.
I have a fairly good stockpile of electronic components and breadboards as I keep thretening I am going to learn one day and try to incent myself by purchasing parts and pieces here and there. I also have a fairly good collection of wall warts of various voltages and a cheap variable power supply to be able to test. I have a good assortment of buzzers and speakers so if there is a preferred type to allow for a simple circuit I may have one. My preference is to create something that can detect the LED rather than hacking into the machines electronics and possibly shorting/damaging the machine as it would be a very pricey repair. It could also void any warranty/service or impact resale later on.
Feel free to ask me any questions and thank you in advance for your valued expertise.
Help on a Simple LED and Short Beep Circuit | All About Circuits
The problem I am trying to solve is this. I work with a laser engraving machine that has a fairly bright blue LED that lights when the part/cycle is complete. For long cycle times I tend to multitask and do something else on the other side of the room or with my back to the machine. So I often get side tracked and the machine will sit idle until I remember to turn around and see if the complete LED is lit up. The stages of the complete LED are this. When the laser is idle and the door is open (loading/unloading) the LED is off. When you start marking a part and laser is working the LED is off. When the cycle is complete the LED will illuminate and stay lit until the door is opened and then it will turn off.
So my thought was if I could make a little tube/cover to go over the LED with a LDR or something similar to detect when the LED comes on and make a beep. Ideally I would like to replicate the LED outside the cover so as not to lose the visual indication as well, but could live without it. I found an interesting circuit someone posted awhile back for an alarm to indicate a garage door was open. But not sure how to properly adapt from the reed switch to the LDR or some sort of light sensing component. Title and link to the afore mentioned circuit below.
I have a fairly good stockpile of electronic components and breadboards as I keep thretening I am going to learn one day and try to incent myself by purchasing parts and pieces here and there. I also have a fairly good collection of wall warts of various voltages and a cheap variable power supply to be able to test. I have a good assortment of buzzers and speakers so if there is a preferred type to allow for a simple circuit I may have one. My preference is to create something that can detect the LED rather than hacking into the machines electronics and possibly shorting/damaging the machine as it would be a very pricey repair. It could also void any warranty/service or impact resale later on.
Feel free to ask me any questions and thank you in advance for your valued expertise.
Help on a Simple LED and Short Beep Circuit | All About Circuits