Stanwax Laser S4i, Manual, Page: 1 / 9

General Purpose ILDA interface board S4
Revision 4.06 June ‘16
Introduction
The Stanwax laser ILDA interface board is designed to make internal wiring of a laser projector a simple affair by taking the
ILDA signals and providing easy access to the connections. However its prime function is to provide safety interlock circuits
as required by the regulations. The safety interlocks include a key switch (or other interlock circuit), plus e-stop and ILDA
cable interlocks plus output is provided for a laser emission LED to be located on the front of the projector. The remote
interlock connection also has the facility to connect a laser start button and a laser status LED that can be housed remotely
with the e-stop plus there is facility for many projectors equipped with this board (or any Stanwax ILDA board V1.03 onwards)
to be operated by a single e-stop. All of these features are designed to assist in making the projector comply with BS
EN:60825-1:2007. Previous versions of this product have been used in USA to achieve projector variance.
What’s New?
This latest version of our best selling product is the most feature packed
yet. It has lots of new features but maintains the important interlock and
emergency stop features that we have come to expect.
The first big change is that there are now three versions of the board.
This manual deals with the two shown right. The third version designed
for Pangolin Flashback 4 has its own manual (available from our
download page). As well as the traditional panel mount board (S4p right
in image), there is now an electronically identical dedicated internal
board, (S4i left in image). The panel mount board is 100% compatible
physically to the old board (V1.xx) and has all the same electrical
connections so can easily be swapped out with a previous model. The
only addition to this is that Ildaboard S4 requires a split rail supply (see
connections later in this manual).
The new features are buffered signals for X/Y RGB inputs, a user programmable time delay (zero to 60 seconds), and a
relay to provide output to electro-mechanical shutters (giving wide compatibility).
The most significant feature however is the addition of *Stanwax Solid State Shutter technology – hence the name S4. This
provides an electronic shutter that will kill laser output via the laser modulation lines in <100uS. This has been developed
and tested over a number of years so we are confident that you will have the safest laser projector yet with this system.
This feature has the added bonus of a connector for scan fail which is provided in readiness for future upgrades.
Despite all the changes, the interlock loop and reset circuit have been carried over from V1.xx so you can be certain of a
tried and tested emergency stop and interlock system.
Finally one further addition is an option on how the electro mechanical shutter is operated. This will be explained in detail
further on – (see section ‘Jumper P’)
*for full explanation see section marked ‘S4 technology’
Operation
The Ilda board has an on board timer chip that controls the relay that powers the lasers in the projector and the control
signal to the solid state & electro-mechanical shutters. This timer is held in a hard reset condition when the interlock loop is
broken or the emergency stop is tripped. The interlock circuit consists of a short circuit protected 12V feed which is routed
though the interlocks before reaching the timer chip and allowing it to come out of reset. Using the ILDA standard interlock
pins (4 & 17), the signal is passed through the ILDA lead to the laser control hardware and back. It then passes to the key
switch pins which as well as providing a connection for a key switch, and can provide connections to other interlocks, such
as a case open micro switch. (additional interlocks should be wired in series and set that they go open circuit when the
projector needs to be in a ‘safe condition’.) Following the key switch connector, the signal is presented to the remote
interlock connector. Externally this is a 9 pin sub-d connector on the projector rear panel. To ensure a fail safe system the
connector used externally for the remote connector must link out to complete the continuous loop, as any break in it will
prevent the laser from operating. The remote connector also provides connections for an emergency stop for use at the
laser control position, which must use contacts that close when the e-stop button is released. We recommend a ‘Key Only’
release for added security.
As the interlock loop and the E-stop circuit must be complete for the system to operate, any break in either will result in the
laser output ceasing. This would include disconnection or breaking of the cables to the E-stop or the interlock circuit,
providing a fail safe system.
Once the interlock circuit is complete the timer chip comes out of reset as indicated by the Bi-colour LED turning green.
This signifies that the projector is armed and ready to be activated. Closing momentary contacts between pins 5 & 7 on the
9-way remote interlock connector will start a short time delay (this delay is factory set to 7 seconds but can be user set, for
up to 60 seconds - see ‘user programmable timer’ section). As the time is elapsing the Bi-colour LED will flash red to green
indicating that the time sequence is in progress before remaining red indicating that the time delay is complete. At this
moment the solid state shutter is opened allowing the laser sources to output, and the emission LED is provided with
power and the relay will energise providing power to the laser sources.
Whenever the Bi-colour LED is lit static red, the laser is now fully active and laser emission is enabled. There are
connections on the 9-way remote interlock connector for this LED to be duplicated at a remote location, and an E-stop with
LED and start button can be used to provide all of the functionality you need at your control station.