Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

No longer needed **405nm** for cutting

Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
103
Points
18
Hi everyone!

I am looking for someone to build me a 1 watt or higher 405nm. I can build lasers myself but am looking for something extremely small, which is never where I accel at building. I realize the smaller the laser the smaller the sink the less the duty cycle obviously. That being said I only need a 30 second duty cycle. I will be using it to cut layers of thermal transfer printing ribbon from the platen rollers and such inside of my label printers at work.

I even thought of a 1 watt plus IR to do the job. Which I think may work better. I am currently using a 560mw 405nm purchased here on the forums and it does a good job although a little slow and somewhat difficult to get in some places. It is in a survival laser SS host with copper sink. So that size or smaller is what I am looking for.

Any ideas?

-Joe
 
Last edited:





Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Messages
2,834
Points
63
Re: Build me a laser **405nm** for cutting

Getting 1W out of a 405 diode is doable, but severely decreases the diodes life. If i were you I would either use a 445nm diode or an IR diode, both of which can be had for cheap in high powers (>3W).
 

joeyss

2
Joined
Jul 23, 2008
Messages
1,112
Points
0
Re: Build me a laser **405nm** for cutting

Getting 1W out of a 405 diode is doable, but severely decreases the diodes life. If i were you I would either use a 445nm diode or an IR diode, both of which can be had for cheap in high powers (>3W).

stay away from IR.

There are 2 good reasons

It's deceptively dim and due to it's wavelength it isn't as good as a burner as a 445nm.

IR will have a hard time burning white or lighter colored things.

3 watts of 445 gives you a bright beam and it will burn your wall and even cut right though a plastic water bottle when focused to infinity.

I'm pretty sure lower wavelengths of light are better absorbed by objects.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
103
Points
18
I am fully aware of the pros and cons, and differences of wavelengths. I own several handhelds and have tried them all for this task, the best results come from a 405nm 538mw approx. I have noticed that a lower powered 405 will burn better than a 445-450, I have not tested IR as I don't own any of those.

The 405 works very well, the printer ribbon is black and very very thin but when you have 50+ layers to cut it can take some time. I know I will shorten diode life at 1 watt but that wavelength has been the best to use thus far.

Who is up for the build?
 
Last edited:
Joined
Feb 25, 2015
Messages
21
Points
0
Re: Build me a laser **405nm** for cutting

Well , you can buy one from SFLasers from here :
Arcane 2.0 405nm

I assume a 2.5w - 3w 445nm would be as strong or stronger than a 405nm 1w .

Since if you're doing cutting and slicing of items . You wouldn't be doing it from a far distance am I right ? .

Its right that 405nm are better burners , they are good for burning from far ranges too . But a 445nm with 2.5w - 3w would probably do the job if you're doing it from a close range . If that's not enough . People do build 5w+ 445nm lasers around here too ! Or SFLasers , they sell em too .

Of course . Great power comes with shorter duty cycles , if you're looking for long cycles maybe you should stick with the 405nm then .
 
Last edited:

DTR

0
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
5,684
Points
113
Re: Build me a laser **405nm** for cutting

I have these smaller versions of the XYZ mounts for the BDR-209 with X-boost. They are great for this diode. Have run them for more than 5 minutes and the mount was just slightly warm. They are compact and can be mounted via the bolt holes.

Check out this video. (Will be up in a few minutes from posting this still processing)

x3hCpJ.jpg

T5IekR.jpg

fTrXsc.jpg

rlWHTG.jpg
 
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
103
Points
18
Re: Build me a laser **405nm** for cutting

DTR-

I think you are on the right track here. Your post gave me an idea, BDR-209 simply mounted in a smaller sleek heatsink with the same profile as a 12 x 30 module just slightly larger to pull away heat and maybe a separate battery pack with switch. That would give me excellent maneuverability and pack the power to quickly slice through the layers of ribbon.

Based on what I have seen the 405's generate little to no heat as compared to a 445 of the same power. I forget where I saw them in here but saw very small SS hosts maybe a little larger than ones pinky. How well would these work? I only need 30 seconds on with 800-1000mw.

-Joe
 
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
3,145
Points
83
Re: Build me a laser **405nm** for cutting

Hey Joe, I might have one already built the diode is in a 3.8mm package let me check when I get home. If not I can build one however the diode might take some time to reach me and it's not coming from China.

Note: it would more than likely be in the 750mW to 850mW because at the 1W mark you would absolutely be pushing that diode so hard that the heatsink would have to be much more in size than what I would consider a mini. 750mW of 405nm would be a great burner I can assure you of that.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
103
Points
18
Hey Joe, I might have one already built the diode is in a 3.8mm package let me check when I get home. If not I can build one however the diode might take some time to reach me and it's not coming from China.

Note: it would more than likely be in the 750mW to 850mW because at the 1W mark you would absolutely be pushing that diode so hard that the heatsink would have to be much more in size than what I would consider a mini. 750mW of 405nm would be a great burner I can assure you of that.

Jander-
Sounds good to me let me know what you come up with. I am sure something in that power range would definitely work just as well considering I'm using approximately around 500mw now.

I would do it myself but I really don't have the time considering the other builds I have going along with work. Also I am just not good working in really tight places on these lasers for some reason. I need a decent size host to work with. I know I can do it if I try it's just easier to buy it.

Also I'm looking forward to getting the club today I'm really excited about it.
I'll be standing at the mailbox like a little kid waiting on Christmas Day.
-Joe
 
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
3,145
Points
83
Re: Build me a laser **405nm** for cutting

Jander-
Sounds good to me let me know what you come up with. I am sure something in that power range would definitely work just as well considering I'm using approximately around 500mw now.

I would do it myself but I really don't have the time considering the other builds I have going along with work. Also I am just not good working in really tight places on these lasers for some reason. I need a decent size host to work with. I know I can do it if I try it's just easier to buy it.

Also I'm looking forward to getting the club today I'm really excited about it.
I'll be standing at the mailbox like a little kid waiting on Christmas Day.
-Joe

:eg::wave::wave::wave:
 
Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Messages
417
Points
28
Re: Build me a laser **405nm** for cutting

Have you look at possibility to decrease a spot size for your current laser? It would mean high intensity better burning.

What is a distance you're focusing your laser for marking?
 
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
103
Points
18
Have you look at possibility to decrease a spot size for your current laser? It would mean high intensity better burning.

What is a distance you're focusing your laser for marking?

I am 4 inches and less, already got a G9 lens that made a huge difference over what was in it....spot size is needlepoint now so it won't get any better. I am confident with a little more power it will be the perfect tool for the job.

The whole idea behind this thread was to see how small of a handheld in the 800-1000mw range I could have built for me.
 
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
103
Points
18
So I have an offer from one remember to buy an existing 405Nm that he has Bill is there anybody else that would be interested in this before I make the decision to go ahead and purchase that one?

-Joe
 




Top