Aixiz vs. O-Like modules

Being new on the forum and new to lasers, I have noticed a preferance for the Aixiz module over the brutish O-Like (big black beast with cooling fins and screw in, rather than press fit, for the diode). Can any one explain the preferance? Heatsinking is an obvious issue where I would think the O-like would be better than the Aixiz. And,,, screwing a lock ring in to hold the diode seems like a much better idea than press fit (specially for a fumble fingered noob like me). Comments appreciated.
Splat

So far I can only talk about the O-like module, I have yet to lay my mitts on an Aixiz, so....

The O-like is great in that you can easily remove the diode without damage.
Plus, it has obvious heatsinking advantages. Also I like its finned head looks.

But:
-it is more expensive (well, only a little)
-it's diameter is 18mm instead of 12mm, making it harder to fit a handheld, most commonly
handheld heatsinks are drilled/machined with the 12mm Aixiz in mind.
Then again, it's the exact same diameter of a 18650 battery, so.....why not?
-The lens almost disappears into the module, making it a little harder to grab it with a focus ring.

-it is more expensive (well, only a little)
Definitely so, but has more mass, so better sinking, less stress on the diode (heat and seating.

-it's diameter is 18mm instead of 12mm, making it harder to fit a handheld, most commonly
Very good point, but countered by the diameter same as the 18650.

handheld heatsinks are drilled/machined with the 12mm Aixiz in mind.
THAT is my main question, why isn't anybody willing mod a host to fit the O-like?

-The lens almost disappears into the module, making it a little harder to grab it with a focus ring.
Very true. That one seems to be a major flaw.

I asked Matt O and Ray J Neal (hope I got the name right. Sorry if I flubbed it) about special ordering a heatsink bored for the O-Like and the both didn't like the idea of the additional tool investment for such a low interest job.:cryyy:

Tool investment? :thinking: What, they don't have a full set of drill bits? Or a boring bar for the lathe?

.

The O-Like is great for testing large numbers of diodes w/o the hassel of having to remove them from the module after testing.
hak

LOL yeah I meant "I can only talk about the o-like...."
Lemme edit my above post....

Qumefox: Evidently neither of them have metric bore or equivalent. I totally thier not wanting to spend $30 or $40 to buy a tool that will only serve one purpose, when there is not ANY (, but me) demand for the end product. Makes a lot of sense, no return on investment... BUT, why isn't there MORE demand for a heatsink that will seat a 16mm module?

So, Mr. Hakzaw, (I LOVE that moniker!) then that is the only value that you see in them? Not worth the money for 'every day' use (over the Aixiz), I'm guessing?

123splat said:

Qumefox:Evidently neither of them have metric bore or equivalent. I totally thier not wanting to spend $30 or $40 to buy a tool that will only serve one purpose, when there is not ANY (, but me) demand for the end product. Makes a lot of sense, no return on investment... BUT, why isn't there MORE demand for a heatsink that will seat a 16mm module?

So, Mr. Hakzaw, (I LOVE that moniker!) then that is the only value that you see in them? Not worth the money for 'every day' use (over the Aixiz), I'm guessing?

Click to expand...

there is no demand because we alread have a good system and supply in place. you can try to change the market but it won't be cheap. and if we use your logic then why go to 16mm? it seem something around 18mm would be better since most hosts we use use 18mm batteries.

michael.

My logic, is that it's no more time consuming to make a 16mm... or any other size hole.. than it is a 12mm one.

Unless your dealing with CNC or something. But i'm not that fortunate. I have a 50 year old 6" manual lathe. And unless I win the lottery or something, it's likely all i'll ever have.

I just didn't get the 'would have to buy tooling' bit. I can't think of anyone who would be doing machining that wouldn't have a full compliment of drill bits, both standard and metric. An also, boring bars don't car about diameter.. since you set that with the lathe.

Chipdouglas, So, that's all there is? we have a system in place, why change it? The world is flat, so if we stay away from the edge, we won't fall off? If the great God Zull wanted man to fly, he would have given him wings? Seriously, you see no merit to the O-Like over the Aixiz? As far as 18mm over 16mm to match the battery size, I was talking about punching out the heatsink to fit the module, not the overall size of the host (sorry for not making my question clear). I couldn't agree more about the cost issue, given the responses that I got from Matt and Ray J.

qumefox, I can not speak for Matt or Ray and they aren't on this thread, but they indicated that they did not have the tooling required and indicated that demand did not support the cost of additional tools. I understand thier point and am not about to question them. They have thier reasons, that's enough for me. I would just like to see more demand stated, or some reasoning why it would be better to use the Aixiz than the O-Like (other than "that's what everybody else is using").

I would like to see a host package available with the heatsink punched out to fit the 16mm O-Like host. I guess I'll just have to punch out one of Matt's HotLite heatsinks myself, or give up on the O-Like module idea.

Y'all have a good one and thanks for the input.

anselm,
see PM.

I think it depends on what you want to use it for.

The 18mm modules are nice for testing, and for continuous operation at modest power levels - i'm thinking using a laser as a level line generator, beam interruption dection, that sort of thing.

12 mm is more or less THE standard for modules, both diode holders like the aixiz and green complete dpss modules, and many heatsinks, host adapters and such are designed for that. There would be little advantage in switching to 18 mm for those, since the limiting factor is usually the size of the heatsink.

Hi Benm,
Thanks for chiming in! I think that there should be significant advantage to using the O-Like module over the Aixiz because of 1) you don't have to press fit the diode, you screw it down with a lock ring (most significant for newbees like me, worry about shock damage to the diode), and 2) more robust heatsinking of the module itself (may not be as significant as originally thought, in that I was wanting to insert the module into a sink made for a commmon host, like Matt O/ RayJNeal's guidesman and/or the HotLite). The O-Likes also come in a 9mm diode size, as well as the 5.56mm, haven't seen a 9mm seating Axiz, but, then again, I don't suppose many folks out there are playing with 9mm diodes either...

All, in all, it don't look to be too promissing an issue, as there just doesn't seem to be any/much support for the O-Like (regrettablly, IMHO, mostly because there is already one out ther for 12mm and that's what everybody else uses). Oh, well, I've got a bag of Axiz's that I need to use up anyway.... Just gonna be a problem finding something to use the handfull if O-Likes for.

qumefox said:

..... both standard and metric .....

Click to expand...

You mean "both standard and absurd non-metric", right ? ..... :crackup:


Seriously, the better way for fit the o-like module to a heatsink, imho, can be to use only the frontal part (all, except the rear tube), and directly screw it in the heatsink part ..... good thermal coupling and mechanically stable without set screws (but this require to get a tap with the same dia and step of the screw on the head)

This is how I attached a heatsink to the O-like
http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/diy-my-1st-build-1-5w-labby-60-a-59450.html#post845622
Since it attaches right were the diode sits, it works surprisingly well, due to
the very high thermal conductivity of aluminium.
Once you add a fan pointed at the back of the module, it really keeps
things quite close to ambient temperature.
Yeah, not very practical for your typical handheld pointer, I guess.:undecided:

HIMNL9,
That will work well, IF,,, You still have to cut a heatsink yourself. The threads on the back of the O-Like head are slightly less in O.D. than 12mm, so it kinda rattles around and the set screw doesn't quite reach it. BUT, good idea.

Anselm,
Yeah, I saw your Labby. Good looking build with that AT supply attached. As far as 'not suitable for handheld', you remenber seeing that kid's first blue build attached to a 6 Volt lantern battery and a CR123?? Don't be so quick to judge. I guess it depends on the size of your hands:crackup: