Materials

I’ll be updating this page with a list of some of the materials and costs associated with building my multitouch table.  Hopefully it will be of some help and resource to anyone getting ready to embark on a similar venture. (I’ve included my cost of taxes and shipping, so yours may vary slightly even with the same parts)

Total Cost to Date: $1,633*

Display Surface

• Vizio VS42LF 42″ LCD – $870
  Bought refurbished from TigerDirect.com
• Replacement Power Supply for LCD – $72
  I shorted out the original one while building the shell.
• 54″ Roll of Reflective Dura-Lar (generic Mylar) – $29
  Lining the wall of the display backlight for even lighting. Purchased from a local art store. Linked version is the closest I could find online

IR Tracking

• Unibrain Fire-I Board Camera (Colour) – $113
  Firewire webcam that’s fast and won’t require any IR modifications. 
• 2.1mm wide angle lens with NO IR filter – $33
  Mid-range wide angle lens to cut down the needed depth of the box.
• 4.3mm standard lens with NO IR filter – $29
  The wide angle lens decreased blob brightness dramatically toward the edges.
• 850nm high-pass filter – $28
  Mistakingly thought this was a bandpass filter. While it works to a certain extent, it does not block all visible light such as bright overhead bulbs. It would be better to buy the Thorlabs bandpass filter if you can afford it. If not, this is better than nothing.
• Thorlabs 850nm bandpass filter FB850-40 – $106
  Blocks out everything except the IR light around the 850nm spectrum. Should produce great results … but definitely pricey. This enables you to use the table even in direct sun or overhead lights.
• 2x Infrared Lasers with Line Lens – $210
  Purchased from member AlexP on NUIgroup who originally devised the LLP concept.  It is quite possible that there are cheaper laser modules out there.
• 2x 5V Power Supply for Lasers – $19
  Very easy to work with and work perfectly Alex’s lasers.  Just cut the end off, split the wires, and bare the ends.  Splice everything together and plug in!

Other Electronics

Table Body

• Aluminum frame – $232
  Includes pre-drilled “L” pieces, flat steel pieces and screws purchased from local home improvement warehouses.  This is where the LCD components and external pieces are attached.

* not everything is listed yet … this total only includes items listed on this page and not everything I have bought to date so far.