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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

DIY non-destructive Aixiz-module diode remover

Joined
Oct 26, 2007
Messages
5,438
Points
83
I needed to remove a 635nm laser diode from an Aixiz module so could use a better heat sink for it; however, I did not want to destroy the laser diode in the process. Suggested methods were to use hollow metal tubes with thin walls, such as retractable radio antennas, to pop out the diode.

Well, I didn't have any of those things around, at least not in that exact diameter. I did, however, have some bottle caps laying around. Why use bottle caps? They're made of tin, which is a stiff metal, much stiffer than the aluminum from the side of a soda pop can (which I also tried), and also a lot easier to find than tin cans. Bottle caps are free too, if you ignore the price of the beer or soda pop.

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Step 1: Remove the rubber from the bottle cap's insides. You want just the metal, not the rubber used to seal up the drink.

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Step 2: Trim off the bottle cap's skirt, and square up the edges. The diode remover doesn't need to be very tall, but it does need to have very flat walls. Use heavy duty metal snips, not wire cutters for this task.

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Step 3: Using pliers, shape the metal into a tube. It helps to have an unused Aixiz module for comparison to ensure things fit nicely.

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Notice how the metal tube just barely fits into the hole where the diode would be pressed. Any narrower and it will not fit around the diode's can. You'll want the tube's walls to be only one layer thick, with a little bit of overlap permitted.

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Step 4 (optional): Squeeze some hot glue into the diode-remover to give it some extra structure. Don't fill up the entire tube, only the half that will not be fit over the diode's can.

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Step 5: Put the Aixiz module and diode remover into a press to push out the diode. Make sure the back of the Aixiz module is screwed on so that the diode won't get crushed when pushed out. Also make sure the diode-remover remains straight so that it doesn't bend.

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Tada! The diode has been removed without a single scratch!
 

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Joined
Oct 26, 2007
Messages
5,438
Points
83
Yeah, it was bugging me for the longest time that I couldn't get that diode out of the Aixiz module and into the labby heatsink I had on hand. I'm almost considering popping out some of the poorly pressed diodes I have and repressing them with this.
 

jimdt7

0
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Messages
1,893
Points
48
Very nice idea man ! +1 :beer:
Your diode is a real survivor :p

Jim
 




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