Effect of IR laser printer optics on non-IR wavelengths?

[theRoUS]

One of my far-too-many projects is to use the rotating-mirror and beam guidance assembly from a laser printer to make a linear cutter. That is, use the mirror and the existing lenses (plus the very-handy aperture shield!) with a high-power diode suitable for cutting.

The lenses are already shaped to maintain focus across the span of the aperture. I'm pretty sure using a laser with a different λ and adjusting its focus to offset the difference will work -- i.e., that it's a linear relationship -- but I'm not positive.

Is that correct? (And has anyone ever done something like this before?)

Thanks!

 

[Cyparagon]

Yes. Focal length is slightly different for visible light and you can adjust for that.

But you're not going to cut anything with a line. The power density is way too low.

 

[theRoUS]

How do you mean? It's not a line, but a scanning beam. I'm not expecting to cut steel bars in any event; more likely acetal for starters.

 

[Cyparagon]

The scan speed is high enough it produces a line. Maybe if you slow it down seven thousand times, but I doubt the motor will like that.