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FrozenGate by Avery

build for a c-mount IR

C

chaosfourever

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Can someone give me some info and such for building a laser using a c-mount? I have my 3W IR c-mount and it looks like it may be a long time before the kryton barrels get made for these so can someone give me the info on how I can make my own?
 





To get anywhere at this, you need access to a metal lathe, and some machining experience. It's not too hard to machine a tube and tailcap to hold the battery and be the laser body. Size will depend on type and number of batteries used in the laser. Then, you need a c-mount laser head. This consists of three parts and a lens nut. The first part mates to the laser body on one side, and provides a flat surface to mount the diode on on the other side. The second part is a 1" long or so section of tubing that will press fit onto the diode side of the first part. The third part is a bushing piece that press fits into the end of the second part. This third part has a center hole threaded 1/2 - 20NF for the lens nut to screw into. The lens nut is machined from brass rod, has a 1/2-20NF thread on it, a knurled end, and is bored through to allow a lens to be cemented into it. The attached photos show c-mount heads and parts. You will need to machine something like this.
 

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Holy crap. Wish i had a lathe or any of that stuff. Is there any way to mod a current mxdl in any way?
 
Billg has provided a basic C-mount assembly. Nice work there too ;D
This is the first step in making an 808 nM laser which might proceed to a 532 nM.
Yes it does take some tooling and experience but this is why it's a hobby. You learn as you go and share with others.

Mike
 
You can use a flashlight host that takes an 18650. There still remains the issue of mounting the diode on a heatsink and centering an adjustable lens over the die.
 
billg519 said:
You can use a flashlight host that takes an 18650. There still remains the issue of mounting the diode on a heatsink and centering an adjustable  lens over the die.
Click to expand...
That's alot of machining :o
I'm gonna get someone to do it for me....
 
Love the build pics, billg, but I have a question: During my research into using c-mounts, I found that everything I read said not to use thermal compound on c-mounts since it has a tendency to ooze it's way onto the diode facets themselves due to heat and viscosity. Have you had any problems with your builds? I haven't used thermal compound with any of mine, nor have I ever seen thermal compound used on any of the commercial systems I have that utilize them..
 
I usually use the thermal compound sparingly as the rear facet can get quite close to it. I usually put it around the rim of the screw hole, and not enough to spread very far. I have one 2W 808nm handheld that has been going more than a year with no problems even though I used the compound. In the pics, the diode shown is a dead one I use for sizing and fitting, so I gllued it on with lots of compound for the photos. I certainly wouldn't recommend anywhere near that much on a working diode. For small handhelds, I use a small amount even though this is not recommended practice.
 
Wish there was a build kit for this. I would source all the hardware in a seconds if I had the host unit
waiting. If the people I've been dealing with used lathes would even call back.

Way off topic sorry : I think people who put lathes up for sale regret it when somebody approaches them with intrest in them, they know that their worth their weight in gold.
 
Very nice billg, I have a c-mount that I need to work on...some ideas there thanks :)

Regards rog8811
 
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