Void's Laser [WIP]

EDIT: I will add all the answers to my questions in green, so that if anyone has the same questions they can have the answers too ^^.

10/7/2014

Hey there everyone!

I have been reading up on these pwetty LAYZORS for some time now and finally decided that this would be the best place to ask for advice etc as I work on my first build (yipeeee ) and I will learn a lot more as I make different builds at a later stage.

So anyway, this topic will be for my current build and I will keep it updated with any new progressions.

So first things first, gooooggles :3 ... But in order to answer that, I need to know what wavelength diode I am going to use. Since my favorite color is a deep purple, I was thinking of going for a 405nm diode. BUT, I have two questions.

Question 1: I have come across a few posts that say purple lasers (UV) can't burn jack. Then again I have come across posts saying that they are amoung the best to burn stuff with. Which is true for the 405nm wavelength? The 405nm laser is one of the best at burning due to its short wavelength.

Question 2: Cost. The 405nm Diodes seem to be quite expensive, aaand since I live all the way in South Africa, I pretty much have to import all the parts, So if I decide to go with a different wavelength, what has the best mW to Burn ratio? :lasergun: (Ps. Pyromaniac xD just a little ) 405nm Diodes seem to have great burning potential/power consumption and DTR sells them at a great price.

So on a side note I went to a few component places, and damn the look on their faces when I ask for an LM317 Transister xD oh, even better, ask them if they have any laser diodes and they tilt their head at a 90 degree angle :banghead: .) so things tend to be a little (lot xD) more expensive I however have decent knowledge in soldering and a LOT of components laying around xD but will need to import some stuff, does anyone have a current website that I can get the drivers (should I decide not to build it myself) and the axiz modules from? Most of the sites around the forums seem to be dead .-. =(

Okay so the above didn't really sum up all my questions too well, so as usual.

TL;DR:

What diode should I use for my first build that will burn stuff and look epic XD Decided to go for the BDR-209 diode, and even get the module and driver all set up from DTR's shop.


Will post updates as this project progresses, happy laaaayyyzoring

11/7/2014

UPDATE:

Okay so following the awesome help from the people on the LPForums I have decided to go with the following.


Safety Goggles - Eagle Pair

From what I have read these seem to be really great and affordable at the same time and will cover the 405nm wavelength that I plan to use.

Website: https://shop58770.fwspayments.com/index.aspx?pageid=556084


Diode - 16X BDR-209 Bluray Diode Bluray Diode In Copper Module W/Driver & Three Element Glass Lens

This looks like just the thing I was looking for, not only is it an awesome diode (from what I hear ) but it also comes with the housing and driver. All for a lot cheaper than I would expect! Rather pay a few extra and get it with a driver and module than be stuck with $69 of dead diode not even heavy enough to be a paperweight.

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/bdr-209-405nm-16x-diodes


As for how I am going to design this, I am still thinking.

Should I go for a wall powered design. I have a ton of old PSU's and Heat-sinks, I might end up stripping out a PSU box, leaving in the fan and mounting the Diode within a drilled heat-sink (using a press drill to drill into the heat-sink.) and drilling a hole in the side of the PSU casing for the laser to actually pew pew out of. Then place this unit onto another working PSU and use that for power.

Or should I go for a battery design? Thing is I can imagine a diode pulling 700mA would chew through a battery xD. Anyway if I go for this design, perhaps an aluminium tube? Would still have to think how to do this design though.

TLDR;

More Questions:

Will the module NEED to be set in a largeish heat-sink?

How long would you recommend running the diode at a time with and without a heatsink.

Would a fan be advisable?

Welcome to the forums Void!

Some people weren't telling you the truth. 405nm, or purple if you want to call it, is one of the best wavelengths to burn dark material with due to it's short wavelength. Other common wavelengths 532nm/650nm will burn dark material if they are high-powered enough but not as easily as 405nm will since they are longer wavelengths.

For goggles I would recommend a pair of Eagle Pair safety goggles. Not only are they not too expensive but if you take care of them will last you years. Link below:
Eagle Pair® 190-540nm Slip Over Laser Safety Goggles

To buy the diode itself I would recommend going to DTR's shop.
https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/s06j-12x-405-diodes
The cheaper 405nm diode he offers runs at about $45 and outputs 400-500mW which is plenty more then what you need for burning

-Alex

Thanks Greenlander for the friendly and helpful welcome!

I will have a look at the diode as soon as I am home, I was looking at the eagle pair goggles and had them in mind. This brings up another question, I stumbled apon a post that people got fake Eagle Pair saftey glasses, just want to know how common this is?

I should be fine buying off their site (survivalist if I recall?) correct? Also I saw a review that said there was a discount code somewhere on these forums? ^-^ if anyone knows what this code is I would highly appreciate it

O/

I have never heard of people getting fake Eagle Pair's so I apologize on that matter. But no need to worry, if you buy directly from their site you are guaranteed to get TRUE Eagle Pair & not fake ones!

Here is the discount code: LPF445

-Alex

Tha Greenlander said:

I have never heard of people getting fake Eagle Pair's so I apologize on that matter. But no need to worry, if you buy directly from their site you are guaranteed to get TRUE Eagle Pair & not fake ones!

Here is the discount code: LPF445

-Alex

Click to expand...

Thanks a TON!!! ^__^ :wave:

Also I came across this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB0F1yR0LIY by styropyro. It's a 405nm Diode running at 420mA . How can I work out the mW output of the diode? Also do you think DTR's cheaper diodes would be capable of that? Would be awesome if so.

I know I have a lot of questions, I have been searching for a long time but keep finding conflicting information, having help from you guys is MUCH appreciated Thanks again ^^

Sorry Void, Im still learning about lasers are would only give you wrong answers about which diode is capable of producing what output. Hopefully another more experienced member will chip in and help you

-Alex

You can only get a rough estimate of power output based on current input. The only way to know what it will output for sure is to measure the diodes output while driven with a specific current.

For the diode, DTR carries two 405nm. The bdr diode can output over 1W, while the other won't quite reach 1W. You can also get the diode with the driver. If you get the bdr, as long as its set between 650mA and 700mA, you should easily hit 1W.

ChaosLord said:

You can only get a rough estimate of power output based on current input. The only way to know what it will output for sure is to measure the diodes output while driven with a specific current.

For the diode, DTR carries two 405nm. The bdr diode can output over 1W, while the other won't quite reach 1W. You can also get the diode with the driver. If you get the bdr, as long as its set between 650mA and 700mA, you should easily hit 1W.

Click to expand...

So I think I am going to go with the 16X BDR-209 Bluray Diode Bluray Diode In Copper Module W/Driver & Three Element Glass Lens. (https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/bdr-209-405nm-16x-diodes)

Sheesh there goes mah cash XD ... But that looks like pretty much everything I need component wise with the diode set and everything.

Will order this in a while along with the Eagle Pair Goggles. (https://shop58770.fwspayments.com/index.aspx?pageid=556084)

Looking forward to this ... Wish me luck, as always, will post updates ^-^

Happy Layyyzzzoorrring :wave:


EDIT:
I am wondering if I should just buy this instead. I am soooooo conflicted xD

Would still need to get the goggles ^^ Am honestly so conflicted! Should put these components together myself or buy everything together? Heck THIS one is even waterproofed! >.<

So the advantages of putting it together myself would be that there is more flexibility in design and I could power it using a PSU. However the pro's of buying it already built into a host is that.... well it's ready.

I kinda like building things though >.< but I also like finished products xD.