The pico projector is a small LCD projector that uses our new 135mm triplet lens (380mm focal length). Below is an image of the projector shell without the lens. You should not use these dimensions exactly to cut your enclosure panels - the specific dimensions for each MDF panel are presented in the following pages of the instructions.

General Layout
The pico projector follows similar design as compared to the MkIII projector and earlier models. It uses an LCD tray to mount the fresnel lenses and LCD panel; a 45 degree image mirror between the LCD and projection lens; and the light source is in a compartment separate from the LCD panel. A significant change in the design, aside from the fact that the pico is nearly half the size of the MkIII, is that the pico uses a single fan per each compartment. One brings in fresh air over the LCD panel, and the other exhausts stale air from the lamp immediately (instead of carrying it around the entire inside of the projector before being vented).

Another thing worthy of mention is that the Pico uses the triplet-135 model of projection lens by default. This is the best option for a smaller projection image from longer distances, providing for an ideal projection size. You can, however, also use a shorter focal length lens if you wish, though that will take some modification to these plans.

The most significant change in the pico projector as compared to "traditional" DIY projector platforms is how close the lamp is to the LCD panel. In order to make the current fresnel lenses available work with the triplet-135 lens, we must place the light source at about 5.5 inches from the rear fresnel lens. This creates a much more intense amount of heat on the LCD panel  - often too intense. To decrease the amount of IR (infrared radiation) it is typically necessary to use 1 piece of IR filter glass (available in our online store). Some LCD panels are worse than others with respect to how much heat they can handle, so you may want to use multiple pieces of IR filter glass between your light source and fresnel lenses.

(3d x-ray view - front)

(3d x-ray view - side)

 

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