HeCd Questions

[Jem]

Hi all

I have a nice 8mW 325nm Kimmon HeCd laser, model IK3083R-DB, spec's here...

http://www.kimmon.com/cgi-bin/search...192-1298324206

Pictures of laser here...

http://www.kimmon.com/cgi-bin/search...192-1298324206

It's outputting a nice crisp beam, although it does seem a little 'pale' for 325nm when you look at the photo, but I guess that's just the plasma glow with the card being so near to the output window, It does look better at a distance.

Anyway, I can't seem to measure the beam accurately. My Lasercheck only measures down to 400nm and my (uncalibrated) newport meter says it's outputting around 1.8mW, but until I can get the meter properly calibrated this is fairly meaningless as I don't have the offsets available for measuring this low wavelength.

So, the observations are...

1. The gas fill LED is lit up red, is this normal or does it indicate a problem?



2. The Effuser reading is



3. The Tube Current is



4. The Tube Voltage is



5. The output



These measurements/photo's were taken 30 minutes after power up.

I really just want to know if these readings are within parameters for the laser. You'll see from the first picture there are adjusters for the tube current and voltage. Is there anything to be gained by tweaking anything?, or is it better just left alone.

I have to confess to just enjoying this laser as it is, it's a huge box for such little output, but hey... when that plasma starts to glow you just gotta love it My favourite is watching the Cadmium vapour flow down the tube shortly after startup , simply beautiful colour. Please don't tell me it's not supposed to do that .

Also, it's just kinda cool to see the fluorescence of different materials and liquids

Cheers

Jem

[142laser]

Hi,
Ask Patrick Townsend at Kimmon to send you an e copy of the manual. I don't remember the gas fill light being on normally. Don't twiddle anything without the manual; the proper adjustment procedures are all there. These last about 8K hours max; what is the hour meter at? You get about double what the lasercheck will read as actual output. Best, Phil

PS Kimmon HeCd's are about the best quality. Kimmon support is better; thanks Patrick!

[Jem]

Thanks Phil

Is Patrick in the USA office?

& don't worry, I have no intention of touching anything unless I can get specific instructions (or the manual)

I'll check the hour meter tonight and report back...

Cheers

Jem

[142laser]

Yes Patrick is in the USA Office. This is a very common laser and thousands have been shipped. Phil

[Jem]

O.K.

So, according to the meter, and assuming it's not been reset, it's currently reading 1,213.8 hours.

Cheers

Jem

[NobleGas]

Hey Jem, did you ever manage to get a manual for the Kimmon? Which PSU do you have?
Cheers, Martin

[Diachi]

Hey Jem, did you ever manage to get a manual for the Kimmon? Which PSU do you have?
Cheers, Martin

If it's the same one I bought from Jem then maybe contact Lasermad (Paul) about it - I left the laser with him when I moved to Canada. You're welcome to take the whole system for free assuming Paul still has it and you guys can arrange to get it to you somehow.

Never did have a manual for it as far as I remember. I imagine mixedgas or perhaps someone else might have a copy.

[Jem]

No, never did get a manual. As Adam suggests maybe contact Paul, it's a beautiful little gasser.

[Diachi]

it's a beautiful little gasser.

Would totally have taken it back if it weren't so risky and expensive to ship it all the way here!

Let us know how you get on Martin!

[NobleGas]

I've found Patrick's email address, so I'll give him a try.
I now have a PSU, so the head might finally get fired up; don't know if the PSU works, but it onlycost me $10! It's 115V, hoping to convert t0 230V (hence why I want a manual), but I'll have to run it from my 110V transformer for the moment.