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FrozenGate by Avery

What happens if a lens isn't centered perfectly?

IsaacT

IsaacT

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If a lens is off center by less than a millimeter, what happens to the resulting beam? Does it go off to one side or what? I am trying to figure out how perfect the alignment must be.

Also, does anyone know if all C-Mount diodes are the same dimensions? I need to use calipers to measure mine so I can get the diode centered but I am afraid to use them lest I break the die on accident.

Thanks,
Isaac
 





The beam shoots out of the laser in an angle and it will rotate while the lens is turning.

All C-mount packages are the same. They are industrial standard. No need to measure it yourself. Find the specs on the net.

***edit** just looked up for myself:
graphic3.gif
 
Last edited:
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! This clears things up immensely!
 
So there should be a hole of radius 2.3mm located exactly 4.1mm below the center of the heatsink (or wherever the lens is to be placed), yes?
 
Probably use a hole threaded for a 2mm screw. But yes 4.1mm below center looks right to me.
 
I just got done making all my diagrams for my machinist! I think I am going to hold my lens in with rubber O-rings so as not to scratch it against the metal.

All in all the head of my RPL stylized custom laser should be ~100mm, with the barrel measuring in at ~90mm, assuming a tailcap length of ~15mm.
 
Blord said:
The beam shoots out of the laser in an angle and it will rotate while the lens is turning.

All C-mount packages are the same. They are industrial standard. No need to measure it yourself. Find the specs on the net.

***edit** just looked up for myself:
graphic3.gif
Click to expand...

Agree totally with answer except to add that you probably will not get the laser to focus to a spot i have a red 200 mW that does exactly as blord said except that i cant get it to really focus anywhere to a spot it rotates around and gets close but then goes wide again so pretty useless ...
 
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