Diode Housings

[Anthony]

Thats a nice NO NONSENSE mount!!
What optics did it use?


The DX unit has a brass holder.
That type doesn't use the PRESS IN method.
You place the diode inside the mount en then screw on a small brass plug that holds the diode in place.

It a nice system.. but its a bummer the optics are crap.

[The_Doctor]

These are the mounts we had made up a while back to suit our blue didoes.. I didn't like the idea of forcing a diode into a press fit style mounting tube, so I designed this one. The diode slip fits into the back of the mount, and there is a little plate that holds the diode in place

That's how I like a diode mount to be too. It's very similar to my last method, but I used brass and indium alloy solder to fix the diode. This is far less messy than it sounds. Thermal coupling is at its best that way too. What I didn't get right was a neat method of focussing. I've solved that since, but the bulk and part count rose beyond what I wanted. How did you solve this, Dave? And what lenses are you using? And is that a direct injection blue as opposed to a camera-enhanced violet? Looks like real blue to me.

[daedal]

--DDL

I've use the back end of an axiz module (the open part of it) to press them out. The lens looks fine and was untouched.

--hydro15

Hey Hydro,

I was not referring to extracting the module out of the block... I was referring to extracting the lens holder out of the module itself. This being the part that screws into the front of the module and controls the collimation of the laser.

Taking the module out of the block is easy, whereas taking the collimation optics out (to then be able to push the diode out and then recollimate after you put a new diode in there) is a pain!

Speaking of diode holders, this module uses a little screw holder. You place the diode in the back of the barrel, and then screw the diode in place. It's very effective and is excellent at transferring heat, does not result in killed diodes due to a press-fitting error, and makes it easy to replace later on...

--DDL

[dar303]

This is my version, inspired by Daves creation:




It's a bit too thick for the aixiz plastic lens but it works very well!

[Laser Ben]

What are the dimensions of that counterbore? How did you hold the lens?

[dar303]

Laser Ben: I made the counterbore "freehand" using a small flat endmill, calipers and an old dead red 5,6mm diode as measurement.
The lens holder is a standard aixiz acrylic with M9x0,5 threading.

[dave]

Do you have any more pictures Dave? How much would they likely cost?

I can take a few more pix.. wont be for a day or 2 tho... I got these done a while ago, and as a one off they were quite expensive(i think about $100AUD a pop off the top of my head).. Ill make a few inquiries, maybe if I got 30-50 made they would work out a lot cheaper

[keeperx]

i know i could get a one off made for $30USD no problem..

[QUAZAR]

I remember the Aixiz ones being about $12 - $15 each (including optics). I am happy to pay that for a bunch of good ones. I could do with at least 4 possibly 8.

[Laser Ben]

I can take a few more pix.. wont be for a day or 2 tho... I got these done a while ago, and as a one off they were quite expensive(i think about $100AUD a pop off the top of my head).. Ill make a few inquiries, maybe if I got 30-50 made they would work out a lot cheaper

Someone is getting the best of you! Shops usually charge $80 an hour for work plus materials. That could be done in 20 minutes max and is $10 of material. Consider having them CNC'd if you want to do a lot of them.