Crooked Output from CNI PGL-III-M

[Trevor]

Condensed version of the story:

I bought this laser because a beam expander can be directly mounted to it quite easily, but the beam exits the aperture 2-3 degrees off center, so when I have the beam expander attached, there is a huge amount of splash and the final beam looks terrible. If anyone has any ideas for how to straighten this out, I'd be very appreciative. Of note is the threading inside the head, which may prove useful in this quest. Strangely, in this photo the lens looks nicely centered:

Glenn recommended I contact GooeyGus about how to work with this, but I never heard back from him and am not sure how to proceed. I can take more photos if need be.

EDIT: ...and my post count jumps by 100.

-Trevor

 

[Gryphon]

EDIT: ...and my post count jumps by 100.

^ say what?

DPSS lasers are known to produce beams that are slightly off center or exit at
a slight angle, but i have never heard of it affecting beam profile through a
beam expander.

 

[Trevor]

^ say what?

DPSS lasers are known to produce beams that are slightly off center or exit at
a slight angle, but i have never heard of it affecting beam profile through a
beam expander.

Evidently the Arctic threads got undeleted, or something.

The reason it messed up in the beam expander is due to the off-center beam being exacerbated and hitting the inside of the expander, causing splash.

-Trevor

 

[Gryphon]

Hmm, too bad there isn't a way to mount the beam expander off camber to make up for
the beam being off center, this seems like a simpler and less risky solution than trying
to realign the laser's inner optical train...

 

[rpaloalto]

You might want to try and cut the glue around that final lens. You can then try to reposition it.
If that beam exiting the model, does not hit that final lens at it's apex or dead center. It's going to be off.

You can use some Arctic5 2 part epoxy, position the lens as best you can. Then just before it sets up. Fire your laser, and make any final adjustments.

I have done this with 2 of my lasers, a rayfoss and a focalprice. It worked both times.
As long as you can get the lens off safely. Re gluing the lens is not as hard as you think.
if you get any glue on the lens, it comes right off with rubbing alcohol. that is assuming your lens is glass.

 

[StardustSprinkles]

Would it be possible to slightly tilt the entire module to compensate? If you've got the tools and know-how then i'm sure it'd be worth a try.