It lives! (SSY-1 repair)

I've had this laser for a long time (~2 years). However a few months after I got it, it took a ~3-4 foot drop straight on to it's OC. The laser was completely misaligned and I had put off repairing it until recently.

SSY-1s are notoriously difficult to realign because instead of an adjustable mount they have a piece of bent sheet metal.



My first step was to find an adjustable optics mount. I chose a newport kinematic mount because it was the cheapest I could find on ebay.



When I got the mount i realized i had ordered a mount that excepted 1" diameter optics where the diameter of the OC was 1/2". My solution was to laser cut a ring that would hold the OC and fit in the mount.



Next I 3d printed a mount that could hold the laser and optic mount.



Finally, I was ready for the fun part, alignment. I used a red laserpointer pointed down the cavity for the alignment. Getting it lasing was a matter of lining up two dots, getting the laser running like it used to took more effort.



After a long night of firing and tweaking I got a nice round spot. (bottom right corner)



Now it runs like the day I got it! It blasts the rust off metal, marks most metal, and takes the paint off just about anything.







I'll upload the video I promised 2 years ago when I get the time to move it from my phone to my computer.

What beam shape means what? How did you know which way to tilt the OC?

Click to expand...

I think he used trial and error ;-)

LOL at the stock, non-adjustable OC mount.

Great work! I love seeing projects with other laser than the usual pointer.

a bit off subject, but what laser cutter did you use?.....3D printer?....you must have access to quite a shop!

Excellent work! +1 for the unique mounting and good job at rebuilding a classic laser!

I have wanted an SSY-1 since I first saw one years ago but they are extremely rare here. Last time I saw a retailer selling them they were still classed as "Military technology- Not for export"! Believe it or not!

Yes I was going to ask about the 3D printer & laser cutter too. We were looking at getting cheap a laser cutter & 3D printer here but they are both still around the $1000 mark.

Cyparagon -Based on how one side of the dot is faded, you adjust that axis.

532 with Envy / AUS - The 3d printer and laser cutter are at my high school.

The laser is a VLS 3.60 50W from Universal Laser Systems

The printer is a bst1200 from dimension.