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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Threading Aixiz module into host

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Sep 27, 2011
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I am working on an ultra compact build of mine. I am using a 445nm diode using abour 1.5amps from an Litium-Magnesium 14500 battery.

Since the build is so small I would like to thread the Aixiz heatsink into my the heatsink I made for my host instead of press fitting it as I've done in the past.

Is the threading on Aixiz modules a standard thread that I can buy a drill bit and tap for? If so, does anyone know what it is?
 
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Joined
Apr 11, 2009
Messages
187
Points
43
I am working on an ultra compact build of mine. I am using a 445nm diode using abour 1.5amps from an Litium-Magnesium 14500 battery.

Since the build is so small I would like to thread the Aixiz heatsink into my the heatsink I made for my host instead of press fitting it as I've done in the past.

Is the threading on Aixiz modules a standard thread that I can buy a drill bit and tap for? If so, does anyone know what it is?

11mm X 0.5mm pitch. Not sure where you are located, but I have bought 10.5mm drill bits and 11mm X 0.5mm taps from Victor Machinery Exchange Inc. in New York.

Be forewarned. Aixiz modules tend to have some pretty bad tolerances on those threads, and not very good thermal transfer. Thermal transfer is very important for high power builds to keep the laser diode cool. You would be much better off using the front of copper modules from DTR for this. I still use Aixiz modules for low power builds. But even then I scrape off the plating where they contact the copper heatsinks, and I solder them to the copper after screwing them in tightly.

Bob
 
Joined
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Messages
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11mm X 0.5mm pitch. Not sure where you are located, but I have bought 10.5mm drill bits and 11mm X 0.5mm taps from Victor Machinery Exchange Inc. in New York.

Be forewarned. Aixiz modules tend to have some pretty bad tolerances on those threads, and not very good thermal transfer. Thermal transfer is very important for high power builds to keep the laser diode cool. You would be much better off using the front of copper modules from DTR for this. I still use Aixiz modules for low power builds. But even then I scrape off the plating where they contact the copper heatsinks, and I solder them to the copper after screwing them in tightly.

Bob

Thanks so much for that! I even asked the Aixiz ebay store and they never got back to me. I am west coast, but I should be able to get the bit and tap no problem at a local store. Soldering them is a good idea. This laser will probably have an output of about .8watts, but I don't expect to run it for long periods of time - so I don't think that cooling will be the biggest problem in the world. But I will definitely keep an eye on the temp.
 
Joined
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Messages
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Points
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Thanks so much for that! I even asked the Aixiz ebay store and they never got back to me. I am west coast, but I should be able to get the bit and tap no problem at a local store. Soldering them is a good idea. This laser will probably have an output of about .8watts, but I don't expect to run it for long periods of time - so I don't think that cooling will be the biggest problem in the world. But I will definitely keep an eye on the temp.

I'm in the southwestern appalachian mountains so centrally located for a lot of the suppliers in the east, though I do tend to travel a bit. I was out in CA for a few days around the end of October 2012. I went overseas, ended up in China for nearly 2 months while working on a project. Visited a lot of sweatshops and a few larger factories while there as a part of that project.

Depending upon wavelength and type (tends to track efficiency), dissipation of waste heat becomes a priority if you expect your laser diodes to survive for long. I still have no issue with putting a 250mW IR or 200mW red diode in an Aixiz module threaded and soldered into a copper heatsink, whereas with a PHR-803T I would limit to 100mW or less in that same setting. By the time the heat makes it to the copper heatsink, the laser diode junction temperature is already much higher. With a 440-460nm diode, I follow close to the same guidelines as I would with the 405nm. On top of laser diode heat, you also have to deal with heat from the driver when running at higher currents. I would never use an Aixiz module for a 445nm laser diode running at more than about 110-115mw. But that's just me. I tend to run my lasers a lot more conservative than most, rarely exceeding mfr rated specs. It's a hard habit to break that I picked up in my past, when I had to design in a lot of extra margin. But then again, in the aerospace industry, lives tend to be on the line if something fails. Speaking of which, noticed the Aviation Q&A in your sig.

Bob
 
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I'm in the southwestern appalachian mountains so centrally located for a lot of the suppliers in the east, though I do tend to travel a bit. I was out in CA for a few days around the end of October 2012. I went overseas, ended up in China for nearly 2 months while working on a project. Visited a lot of sweatshops and a few larger factories while there as a part of that project.

I'm a little confused... Do you make tools?

But then again, in the aerospace industry, lives tend to be on the line if something fails. Speaking of which, noticed the Aviation Q&A in your sig.
Bob

Yeah, I am an astro engineer student at embry, and private pilot right now. Hoping to transfer to the air force academy though.
 
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Joined
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I'm a little confused... Do you make tools?
I have a machine shop out back. I'll buy what I can, when I can. But most of the time I end up having to fabricate what I need. There's not a lot of off-the-shelf parts and materials available for some of the technologies I work with on a regular basis.

Yeah, I am an astro engineer student at embry, and private pilot right now. Hoping to transfer to the air force academy though.
The air force can be a great career choice. I spent most of my career working as a contractor for the DoD, the majority of that on classified projects for the air force. I was involved in the directed energy technologies program, which was later declassified, as the "strategic defense initiative" aka "star wars". I was involved in the stealth program, and many other projects/programs that I can't go into because they are still classified.

One advantage of having this level of access is I get to buy some really great govt surplus hardware. Technologies that the public is not allowed to see, let alone bid on. While general aviation is still widely using antique technology, ie radar, the military has much better technology at their disposal. Technology capable of detecting and identifying stealthy/cloaked aircraft for example.

I'm semi-retired so I mostly do R&D now. Some ends up in products taken to market, some technologies are too advanced to go public. I also still do DoD contracts from time to time.

I was in china because europe and asia wants to employ my technology for the auto industries. I had to be there to supervise testing at govt labs, and to take a look at the various manufacturing capabilities. I'm a very big proponent of "Made in the USA", so all of my products sold in the USA are made here. But the products for the european and asian markets will be made in those countries. I will not export from the USA because this country penalizes businesses too much. I license technologies for others to manufacture and market.

Bob
 
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Forgot to mention. If you do so well that you are at the top of your classes, doors may just open for you at one or more of the top classified research facilities. The education that you can get at a few of these can expand your horizons well beyond any education that you could possibly get at any university! You would be amazed at some of the advanced technologies that are not to be found elsewhere.
 
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If you are using a 14500 as a power source, why not have the module inside of a thin-walled heatsink? Your entire build is going to have to be greater than 14mm in diameter anyways to fit the 14500 battery, and the modules are only 12mm in diameter.
 
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