Beam Expander to Lens Adapters - M11.5 x 0.5 to M9 x 0.5

[Shmackitup]

I needed more beam expander adapters so I ran off a small batch today. These are a bit beefier than the old Chinesesium ones. These are made from Aluminum but I could make them from other metals if need be. I could use a larger diameter and/or length too. I got the process down pretty well now so making them doesn't take very long once I get going. The M9 x 0.5 hole runs all the way through so you may need a drop of thread locker to keep the lens from moving. Let me know if anyone wants one.

 

[CoolLaserUser]

Good adapters!

Does a beam expander make the laser beam larger in diameter?
Maybe it helps to make a laser burn for further distances?
Do you think it's necessary to have one?

 

[GSS]

Good adapters!

Does a beam expander make the laser beam larger in diameter?
Maybe it helps to make a laser burn for further distances?
Do you think it's necessary to have one?

It basically extends the distance of a tight spot.
I guess it would burn at further distances but at how much power loss I don't know..
I know you have to play with the lasers initial lens first to make the expander work.

RedCowBoy is the expander user king.
Hope he chimes in.

 

[Shmackitup]

I've been able to extend the burning power of a NUBM44 to around 60' with an 3X Beam Expander. Probably could have gone farther but that's the distance I was testing. There is some power loss but it's fairly minimal.

 

[CoolLaserUser]

I guess that it's not necessary to burn things far away from the laser's aperture unless if you want to pop a line of 100 balloons.
More than likely, I would use a G8 lens or just test my lasers how far they can for instance light matches, pop black balloons etc.

In addition, beam expanders are expensive.

 

[Ricker]

Google Image Result for https://media.tenor.com/WCAv4Kenrz0AAAAM/come-in-black-dark-knight.gif

 

[RedCowboy]

It basically extends the distance of a tight spot.
I guess it would burn at further distances but at how much power loss I don't know..
I know you have to play with the lasers initial lens first to make the expander work.

RedCowBoy is the expander user king.
Hope he chimes in.

You lock the focus of your primary lens down at infinity or slightly less in the case of our MM blues and then screw on the beam expander.

So the adapter acts as a nut to lock the primary lens in at infinity focus, then attach your beam expander.
Note you can adjust the depth of your module in it's heat sink if the primary bottoms out in the adapter in order to set your infinity focus.

 

[NoobLaserBoy]

Hello



I found some expander seller on AliExpress. That seller seems to sell expanders for CO2 laser mostly. Because listing says "for cutting machine, welding machine, engraving"

But there was a listing for x6 expander and it said "for 450nm". I asked seller if that expander could be used for fibre lasers or laser pointers but he replied he doesn't know and that I could try to see if it works. Anyone knows if CO2 laser expanders worth with average blue lasers?



I'm looking for some good inexpensive expander to help with beam quality. I'm not sure if there are some high magnification options which are not physically large. Never tried one before as well. I'm trying to make a blue laser pointer burn things at longer distances.