New 445 build - 3 Diode host

I thought I would start this build thread, as I just got word from Mrcrouse that my host is almost complete, and will soon ship.

Pics to come!

Upon hearing that news, I followed ARG's advice and put in my optics order with Stanwax in the UK, and ordered:

2 steering mirrors
1 Dichoritic Blue pass / Red reflect filter
1 1/2 wave plate
1 PBS

I have decided to folllow ARG's path, and go with the same optics setup, as well as a dual diode configuration, with 445's as the main beam, and an addtional merged red beam, as a sighting aid. I have yet to decide on which 445's to go with, or which red diode. I will add a key activated arming switch in the tail cap to turn on the targeting beam, and use the mag switch for the main beam

For the 445's the options are

2 x NDB7875
2 x NDB7A75
Both 1 x NDB7A75, and 1 x NDB7875

As to the NDB7A75, I'm not sure about dealing with that Loooong dot line, and I don't think there would be room om the optical tray for corrective optics unless I give up the 3rd red targeting beam, which I think was a really cool idea! And then there's the $600 price tag for 2! The lack of 4A + drivers is another concern. That said, a 12W host has it's allure.

For the combo NDB7875, NDB7A75, I'm not sure of the implications of combining these 2 difeerrent dot sizes. I don't think anyone's done it yet.

For the Red diode, I was thinking about single mode. Any issues combining that with the other "multimode" diodes? I also need to decide if I'd rather add the power output with a higher wattage red diode, or go lower, as it will be a "always on" aiming beam once the host is armed.


OPen to any dicussion on the 445 choices, and looking for specific diode, and power recomendations for the red aiming diode! I'd like to purchase these next and move along.

Reserved

Interested to see how far this goes. I would personally recommend a Mits500 diode and two NDB7A75 diodes as they all have about the same spot size.

I'll be watching too ! Wish I could answer some of your questions but I know nothing. I'll be watching for answers I'm wanting to build one as a winter project. It'll take me till winter to save up enough money :crackup: I got some overtime today. I'm closer

If it was me, I would go with 2 NDB7875s and the oclaro 700mW for the red. I will definitely be following this built, good luck!

You're in for a fun ride!

Just remember not to throw the laser across the room when struggling with alignment

ARG said:

You're in for a fun ride!

Just remember not to throw the laser across the room when struggling with alignment

Click to expand...

I'll try to resist! :eg:
If I just can't get it , I'll mount a single 6 watter, and use the gained tray space for some cylindrical corrective optics!

It sure would be easier with adjustable mounts. I don't have the host yet, but assume the MM1, and mini brass mirror mounts are way to big? I wonder if they could be modded to fit? I see you could cut off the adjuster screw heads off and slot the shafts with a dremmel for adjustments.

There has to be a better way the filing metal off aluminum chunks!

Interesting project! Maybe adding one 520 nm would be cool?
And with variable user-controlled current!

OK......Down the Rabbit Hole ya go !!!!!

See the attached pic for some inspiration !! I have NO idea what kinda room you are working with ????

Use Flexmounts from Laser Show Parts.....IF you have the room !!!!!
Although filing....for hours.....may get you there....

NOT a very easy way to get alignment !!! AND.....what if things shift !!!

Then what ????? You will have no ability to re-align !!!!

AND.....while I am spouting off......MMMmmmm ???


The amount of work you are doing to add the red aiming beam....while it is commendable....but why ???? It is an aiming beam.....screw it....leave it as a co-linear add-on. The purpose of the aiming beam is to visualize where your main beam is going to go !!!

Point it in the same direction as the main beam's....and call it a day....just my opinion !!!

Put your effort into alignment of the main beam's !!! That will be difficult enough !!!!!!!!!!


Well.....If you move the aiming beam.....THEN.....you may have room for the corrective optics !!! The attached drawing shows anamorphic prism's for optical correction!!!

The NDB7A75 MAY, MAY need cylindrical optics....as used in my " Dragon's Head " build.......C-lenses work with more corrective power and less optical loss !!! ....BUT.......Cylinderical lenses are more difficult to align and take up more length !!! Always trade-off's !!!!!!!

I have seen NO NDB7A75 builds....yet.....that use corrective optics......and....because I do not yet have a NDB7A75 or a NDG7578.(High power blue or Green )..I cannot tell you what optics will work or work best....just do not know yet !!!!@ Maybe someone is working on this ?? Dunno ???

The attached pic shows two LD....side by side....BOTH being optically corrected
......then.....combined in a PBS cube. ( Turbo Teal Terminator)

I have not built this yet.....but....I predict such a design would work !!

Two (2) Blue....or One Green + One Blue......A major amount of Blue....OR...A very powerful Teal ????

It would be better to post what diameter host you want to use....then....I could better advise you what you have room for.... and IF you have room to use adjustable Flexmounts ???????

Anyway....Good Luck....You have a great amount of work ahead.....and even more satisfaction !!!!!

Lite'em UP CDBEAM=======>

"I have NO idea what kinda room you are working with ????"


This is what I have for room.








I really really want adjustable mounts (at least for the steering mirrors), but as you can see room is minimal! Perhaps the flexmounts, or mm1's could be modded if needed, but as I've never seen them in the flesh. I have no idea how big they really are, but they seem too large. Maybe I csan make something or have something CNCed? Very interested in any suggestions on adustable mounts of any type.

Also to be clearer of availible space, A endcap will be screwed on. As you can is it won't allow for a co linear targeting beam, so it's merged or none at all. The only way I would be willing to give up the targeting beam, is if a could go with 2 NDB7A75's AND correct them with cylindrical lenses. Still might be enough room? 10 watts give or take with a tight dot would be more than eneough tp humor me.






The plan was to use ARG's layout for his build from a while back. THough his mounting method seems scary painful. There may be no other choice!

OK....See the attached pic....based on your pics....Looks like you have about 38mm x 50mm for your optics. Please verify this.

The Flexmounts are small....like 10mm x 19mm.....but the 19mm could be reduced down to 14~15mm.....roughly. See...

Lasershow Parts - Micro flexure mirror mount -standard size

You might just barely have enough room !!! ......BUT....what about the correction optics ???

You might....might have enough room for two sets of cylindrical sets,,,See the
" Dragon's Head Build thread......but...I kinda doubt it ! The Cylinderical lens set needs about 50mm....just because the distance between the lenses demands some distance !!!

See http://laserpointerforums.com/attac...ally-corrected-p73-hh-design-p73hh-utc-7k.jpg

Sometimes....One can put 10 pounds a shit ina 8 pound bag....but you have a 7 pound bag !!! hahaha

BTW...this is a really beautiful host....BUT....you a now constrained by the existing dimensions.

Let me know those exact dimensions !! You may have to give up the correction optics !!

Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>

Ok, I'll measure as soon as it arrives.

Here's a interesting mount I found on Ebay, that could have the depth cut down, and would be even smaller than a flexmount?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261362029602

Subbing.. This looks great. I have been thinking about something like this but with 3 NDB7675's.. But it would most probably need active cooling.

Even better, one of the forum members here, had some of these custom made for him:



I wonder what these would cost to have made? With a shorter foot, they would be perfect! I wonder if Mrcrouse or one ofthe other guy's would be interested? I think 3 of these would save days of alignment! I'd make the attachment face somewhere between 10mm, and 12 mm. Maybe even shorten the vertcle part of the L piece a few mm?

Well....As more and more of us enter the World of the " Combiner " ....Multi-diode build...Mechanical hardware will be needed...and very small hardware/mounts !!

There are two groups....Members with machining tools....and members without. Members with can make or modify off the shelf components to suite their needs. In this hobby....a basic drill press is really needed. Beyond that....hold ontaya wallet !!!

The link to Techhood is interesting....a very good price for that mount !! See http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lens-Base-H...05&prg=10050&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=261362029602&rt=nc

For that unit....or the one from LSP....the foot could be shortened by about 9.5mm. This would leave a small portion of the bottom....available to be drilled and tapped to accept ...say...a 4-40 bolt. The mount could then be bolted down....from the underside of the LD heat sink extension platform.

Looks like to me....with anything I have seen in the last several posts...there exists a more difficult problem....Vertical height clearance !!

With the Flexmount...and I presume the Techhood mount.....the distance from the bottom .... to the center of the mount attachment pad is about 16mm !!
SOooo...really....THAT is the target distance from your Heat sink extension platform...to your beam centerline !!

MMMmmm...Looks to me like your host will provide about ....maybe 8~9 mm....because the modules ride that low inside the circle !! What todo....what todo ???

Well....you cannot raise that elevation....that is for sure....and you cannot lower your platform elevation....because....if you machined that down....the result would be an even smaller width platform to work with !!!

Unfortunately...it is my guess....you will be forced to use the method ARG employed......WELL....we know IT WORKS....just a painful process !!!

A take away here is to CENTER your modules at the host centerline...and design your heat sink extension platform....to provide at LEAST 16mm from beam centerline to platform surface !!

This provides enough vertical height clearance so Flexmounts can be used....and also delivers more platform width for your optics !!

CORRECTION....I took another look at that VERY short mount you linked...and IT MIGHT work !!!

SEE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261362029602

It is only 13mm high....SOooo...from looking at it.....it may be low enough that you CAN have a adjustable mount !!!!!!!

Cheap enough....order a few and experiment !!! Heck...I may order a few to tinker with !!!!!

AND...You got NO room for corrective optics on that platform !!!

Good Luck !!!!!

Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>

The module holes are on the host centerline.

I don't know? The flexmounts may be out, but looking @ the custom mount above it seems to me that the vertical height could easily be shortened to put it within beam range. Or at the very least the mirror coud be attached such that it "hangs down" lower than it's mounting pad.