My View On Mirror Mounts

[logsquared]

Couple of things I have found with different mounts I have built....

i second what Planters said about letting the system settle a few days. Usually after three iterations or so the system becomes stable. This seems to be true with any type of flex mount i have tried.

For combiners I like to use the Kvant style "flat on flat" mounts. I like to use a washer on the bolt to help from self tightening or loosening when adjusting.

A few important things I have found for stability of the "flat on flat" mounts are as follows.

The mating surfaces have to be machined really flat and VERY clean when assembling.

Also, the largest diameter screw practical seems to help reduce the twisting torque left in the screw that will eventually settle out to some degree.

This is obvious but the tapped holes need to be true and square with the base and mirror mount.

These type of mounts seem to work best when mounted on a brass base instead of aluminum.

I use a "wiggle" technique when I am adjusting them. Basically, when I overlap the far field spots I wiggle the wrench back and forth. If there is torque in the screw the spot will want to "favor" one direction. After a few wiggles pushing more in the opposite direction of the torque it seems to "even out". This is where I stop. Sometimes after as few days of settling small adjustments may be necessary.

[mixedgas]

I have the equations to calculate the flexes, after I get caught up with the group buy I'll scan them in.

Steve

[depo]

I've used both Dave's flex mounts. And Dave's pivot mounts on a few builds.

The pivots can be a bastard to use at first but once you get a strong enough pin to use that has no flex it makes it a pleasure to adjust. I found an alen key had to much flex in it.

I did however have one problem with the mounts. At an out door gig. I had all projectors perfectly the night before at home. Bumped it during the day. Had a 38 deg day with the projectors out in it. Come night time the duel red module pivot mount had moved and split the beam a little and the blue combiner pivot mount had also moved. That's the only problem I've had and i put it down to temp change.

I prefer the pivot mounts over the flex mounts now. They are more versatile.