How to fix beam alignment?

[Illuminox]

I just received an O-Like "Crown 500mW" green laser and noticed that the beam is off axis somewhat. Is there a way to repair the laser so that the beam is perfectly aligned with the axis of the laser? Would this involved re-aligning the diode?

I really want to fix this because it drives me nuts if I turn on a laser and the beam doesn't appear where the laser is pointed. It's unpredictable, and for a powerful laser like this one, it reminds me of a gun that doesn't shoot where it's pointed. Not a desirable trait....

Here's a link to the laser: Powerful Crown upgrade 500mW green laser torch/waterproof [OL-532-500] - $274.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

 

[JLSE]

You have to break loose the expander lens, get the beam centered and re-epoxy
the lens in place. You dont have to touch the diode, nor the crystal
set, but the module has to be opened up...

You need IR protection goggles, and i'd advise some practice on a low cost pen.
Its not easy, but very possible.

 

[Illuminox]

Uggghhh...this is exactly the kind of answer I was dreading. Sounds like a pain in the butt to fix, and risky for the laser, too.

The irony is that the last laser I received from O-Like (400mW green) had an even worse beam alignment problem. It was so bad that I shipped it back to China for replacement. BUT...I will do anything to avoid shipping things to China. It's inconvenient, costly, takes a long time, and I've had shipments go missing.

*SIGH*

 

[Benm]

Unfortunately its pretty much the only option, as you cannot change the orientation of the entire laser mode in the host.

Adjusting the expander lens does not require you to mess with the actual laser cavity though, so i can be done without overly finicky realignment procedures.

 

[Illuminox]

Just to clarify semantics, is the "expander lens" the same thing as the "focusing lens?" That is, the lens that's glue to the rotating head of the laser that is used to focus the beam?

Is that the only component of the laser that affects the alignment of the beam?

 

[Benm]

No, its not the same one. The expander lens is usually glued to the laser module, the collimating lens is the one that rotates on a focusable laser.

 

[Illuminox]

Okay, that's what I originally thought, but I started to second guess myself. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[cheech226]

i have a firedragon i play with from time to time. i replaced the expanding lens on it a while back. i never got everything perfect yet. i have it out today hoping to get the expander's alignment just right. does it matter which way the expanding lens faces? i've tried both ways with the laser taken apart and couldn't see a difference.