First build in Aixiz module (aka. Fire Hydrant Laser)

[alessnilsen]

Hi! :yh:

After about 2 weeks I got some aixiz modules to start my new generation of lasers. This is my FIRST build with aixiz module, so, it don't looks so beautiful than my other DIY lasers.

I used a 300mA linear driver from a dead green laser pointer, a gear as heatsink and PVC water pipe, what? Yes, PVC water pipe to make the host, so a 18650 fits inside it!

The LD is a LPC-815 650nm running at 300mA.

Here is the inside of my laser (I used some pieces from the DVD-RW were I got the LD):

It side by side with my 303 green, for size comparison:

And here, it painted as red (my painting skills aren't that good, sorry!):

Finished product:

Here the dot (I thinked that with aixiz module I'll get rid of those rings! :yabbem:

Here the same dot besides my 250mW LPC-815 laser (note the left dot is my 250mW laser):

Comparing my old 250mW with this new laser, I think is a good improvement in dot size and shape, this thing burns very well! The only trouble I got was set the lens to be properly focused when the focus ring is totally screwed in place.

:thanks: :wave:

 

[Clearoutt]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

that looks nice was it hard to make? I know nothing about building lasers but looks good to me nice job :lasergun: wish you the best of luck

 

[10fenny]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

is that sprocket from a manual trans?

 

[RYDorDIE278]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

I like this kind of creativity! its cool to see a laser made out of bits and pieces,
good on yah!

 

[USAbro]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Pipe? I'm still consider PVC pipe!

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Looks fine to me, is that a transmission part for the head? Niceeee + rep

 

[starlight]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Awesome. I'd call it the "fire hydrant" because of it's looks and already has a red diode in there.

How good is steel as a heatsink though?

.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Hm from the picture it looks like there is an aluminum insert. I could be mistaken.

Contrary to the way those gears look they are very porous. Apply some heat with a torch and the oil will seep out.
That is assuming it is a transmission part. They look really cool though!

 

[Livinloud]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Nice pipe bomb

 

[alessnilsen]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Thanks for all this replies! :yh: :yh: I'm very happy!

that looks nice was it hard to make?

I think was average, not too hard but not easy, for example, I modified the switch button and done the battery connector (a substitute of the battery spring) with one of the rubber bracket from the DVD-RW drive, I used a washer inside it with some solder to make the battery contact.

is that sprocket from a manual trans?

No, is from a dead marble saw reduction gear

I like this kind of creativity! its cool to see a laser made out of bits and pieces,
good on yah!

Thanks! :beer:

Pipe? I'm still consider PVC pipe!

I used two pieces of PVC pipes, 25mm, one is a segment of a regular PVC pipe and the other is a 25mm PVC cap.

Looks fine to me, is that a transmission part for the head? Niceeee + rep

Yes, part of a reduction gear of a dead marble saw

Awesome. I'd call it the "fire hydrant" because of it's looks and already has a red diode in there.

How good is steel as a heatsink though?

Thanks! A good name for it, I'll adopt it! :yh:
Without it the module get hot very quick, and with it I have 100% of run time, I'll estimate about 40°C for 15 minutes on (don't tried further because at 300mA it will empty my battery).

Hm from the picture it looks like there is an aluminum insert. I could be mistaken.

Hmm, I don't know. :thinking:

Contrary to the way those gears look they are very porous. Apply some heat with a torch and the oil will seep out.
That is assuming it is a transmission part. They look really cool though!

Right! But done a test and no oil at it, I washed it with soap to remove the grease before use.

Nice pipe bomb

Thanks! :yh:

 

[grainde]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

+1 for an awesome ghetto build!

BTW have you tried switching the lenses? The rings in the dot from your 250 mW could be due to a bad quality lens...

One other tip with acrylics (because they are very short - as you seem to have noticed ) is to use teflon tape on the threads when you screw them into the focus ring. This stops the lens from being loose when only partially screwed into the ring.

Once its all set up at the correct depth ie so the laser can properly focus, cut away any excess tape with a razor blade and add a tiny pin head sized drop of superglue to the outside of the lens holder (where it joins with the ring). Make sure it can air well ie dont leave it screwed in the laser whilst drying as the fumes could damage the plastic lens.:beer:

Edit: Sorry must spread some first...

 

[alessnilsen]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

+1 for an awesome ghetto build!

BTW have you tried switching the lenses? The rings in the dot from your 250 mW could be due to a bad quality lens...

One other tip with acrylics (because they are very short - as you seem to have noticed ) is to use teflon tape on the threads when you screw them into the focus ring. This stops the lens from being loose when only partially screwed into the ring.

Once its all set up at the correct depth ie so the laser can properly focus, cut away any excess tape with a razor blade and add a tiny pin head sized drop of superglue to the outside of the lens holder (where it joins with the ring). Make sure it can air well ie dont leave it screwed in the laser whilst drying as the fumes could damage the plastic lens.

Edit: Sorry must spread some first...

Thanks man! But my problem is exactly the inverse of this, I think is hard to explain in words, so, I made a simple diagram to help:

About the rings in my 250mW laser, here is the reason:

Objective lens with the diffractive surface for DVD/CD compatible optical pickup - Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.

But I think this plastic lenses from my aixiz aren't that good as i was expecting...

:umbrella:

 

[grainde]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Ah ok, are you using an acrylic lens, or 3 element and is the module of a std length? :beer:

Edit: What about swapping the lenses over - did it help at all with the other dot?

 

[alessnilsen]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Ah ok, are you using an acrylic lens, or 3 element and is the module of a std length?

Yes, is acrylic lens, this module is 12x35mm.

 

[grainde]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Ok makes sense if you are using a diffraction lens...anyway if you want a different lens for the 250 mW just get a std acrylic. I bought a few from Olike, but you can also get them from ebay for a few dollars. :beer:

Edit: It doesnt make sense that you couldnt focus the laser unless you screwed the lens all the way into the focus ring. When screwed in completely (in both the ring and module) the lens is actually further away from the diode, which means that you could also achieve focus with the lens partially screwed in (to the ring) by unscrewing the lens + focus ring from the module. The focus ring just wouldnt sit flush with the module. You do know that you will go from defocused to focused (at an arbitrary point) to defocused again if you keep on screwing?

 

[alessnilsen]

Re: First build in Aixiz module (not a cute laser)

Ok makes sense if you are using a diffraction lens...anyway if you want a different lens for the 250 mW just get a std acrylic. I bought a few from Olike, but you can also get them from ebay for a few dollars.

This laser is part of my legacy, it have a horrible dot, but burns very well at big distances.

You do know that you will go from defocused to focused (at an arbitrary point) to defocused again if you keep on screwing?

This is the point! I adjusted in a way that it goes from defocused to focused and will not defocus again, because at this point, the lens/focus ring will be already all screwed in the module.

EDIT: Here are some pictures of the module/lens:

Here the modules:

Here two lenses side by side, one is the original (the longer one on the right) and the other is the lens modified by me (on left):

See that the lens modified by me goes deep in the focus ring:

Here my laser using a original lens (not modified, just screwed in place):

And here, using my modified lens:

:thanks: