My first laser build - 445 *Pic heavy*

[Jufran88]

I'm pretty new here and I just wanted to share with you guys my first ever laser build.

First and foremost is SAFETY

GOGGLES: Laserglow LSG-532-NF-7

HOST: Jayrob DIY solarforce gunmetal L2 kit
- It's an awesome host. Very high quality and solid/study.
- Goodies included: host heatsink and contact board, copper driver heatsink, new aixiz 405/455 glass lens.
- Jayrob told me it was the new 405/455 lens from aixiz

DIODE: A140
- Purchased from daguin
- in module with leads soldered

DRIVER: Micro FlexDrive v5
- Set to 1.5A
- I know very sloppy solder job but it works!

TEST LOAD: Custom
- I decided to go for a more professional look even though it was unnecessary.
- Credit goes to HIMNL9 for the design
- Kind of overkill I know
- Fabricated by pcb.laen.org
- Designed in Eagle
- I would recommend him if any one wants to get prototyped PCB. He charges $5/sq ft.
- 1 ohm metal oxide resistor 2% tolerance 5 watts
- 1N5404 3A diodes
- breakaway headers and jumper pins

BATTERY: LG 18650 unprotected
- Manufactured by LG Chem
- 2600 mAh
- Data sheet: Click here

WIRES: Silicone rubber insulated wires
- Purchased from Flaminpyro
- Awesome wires, very flexible, easily stripped by nails, it's wrapped in silicone

So that's pretty much all the components time for the actual build :evil:

BUILD:
First thing I did was attach the leads for the flexdrive then applied thermal adhesive on the copper heatsink, attached the flexdrive and let it set and cure. I set it back in the host.

With my tesload I set the current to 1.5A on the FlexDrive. It was difficult , but I eventually got it. Would have been easier with a bench PSU, maybe sometime in the future I'll get one.

In the picture it say 1.283V (1.283A) which was before I noticed the battery wasn't fully charged :shhh:. It was the only picture I took because I got excited to finish my build. And also testing using a battery doesn't yield stable readings. It goes down fast when I connect it

After all that I soldered the remaining connections, made sure everyting was ok, put my goggles on and started lasing! :wave::wave::wave:

Sorry for the crappy pictures. I'll post new ones when I get the chance. Also, I don't have an LPM yet, but I plan on making one soon so I can get output values.

Thank you to jayrob, daguin, flaminpyro, mohrenberg, DIMNL9 and everyone else for the parts and information. I have learned many things from this forum and I'll be continuing on building more lasers, etc.

:thanks:

 

[danefex]

HelloooOOoooo Solarforce!!!!! ....my favorite host to date!! Good taste and nice job! Nice pictures too and many kudos for utilizing the best resources on the planet for your build +1 :beer:

 

[bhwollen]

Very nice! I really like this host.

+1

 

[Jufran88]

Thank you guys for the positive comments. :thanks:

I'll be building more in the future so stay tuned!

 

[anselm]

Only top notch components used here.
That's the best looking testload I've ever seen!

Well done, dude. Doesn't it feel great, completing your first build?
And yeah, that Solarforce is one awesome, awesome looking host.

 

[Jufran88]

It feels very satisfying having done my first build

I did notice the beam was kind of dirty so I cleaned it with 91% isopropyl alcohol and the beam was more cleaner afterwards. Jayrob told me it was the new 405/445 lens but shouldn't it have an AR coating on it? and have 3 lens? It was only 2 lens when I took it out. I looked around the forums and most people have 3. :can:

 

[Flaminpyro]

Cool build +1 for you guy looin good !

So why are there 10 diodes on that test load ?
Are you going to simulate TWO laser diodes in series ?

 

[Jufran88]

Hi pyro! Thank you very much! No, just one laser diode. I know it's kind of overkill but I have jumper terminals to select how many diodes I need to simulate the Vf of the actual laser diode. I took the design made by HIMNL9 and just implemented it on PCB. In my thinking future diodes might need a higher Vf so instead of having just 4 or 6 mine is selectable from 2-10 with 3A max and save the hassle of creating another test load. :beer:

 

[jayrob]

Quite a nice build you did there... Especially for a first build! :gj:

About the lens. I got it from AixiZ the same as I always order them. So if it's different than before, then they must have changed something?? (or their suppliers)

Anyway, glad you like the kit!

 

[Jufran88]

Thanks Jay! I really can't tell so I just bought some Aixiz 3 element AR coated lenses for reference and also for my next build

 

[Antoniio]

Amazing job!

the end result seems very good.

 

[Kansas Outcast]

Very nice build +rep to see such a clean build and also good to point out safety.

I cant wait till I get my Solarforce host =) hopefully it ships soon, but I still need to wait till dr.lava gets more flex drives in >.< I guess someone on ebay bought him out (which is good for him bad for us) and he won;t prolly be gettin in anymore for about a month? I'm not sure how accurate that is though... anyways I'm excited for it... what 445nm diode did you use?

 

[Jufran88]

:thanks:
The solarforce is an awesome host!

Dr. Lava has been pretty busy lately so I got a bare flexdrive from jayrob and the diode I used is an A140. Good luck on your build! :yh:

 

[LtKernelPanic]

Woa. Awesome build and sweet test load. I'd buy one if they were available. Nice job!

 

[Jufran88]

:thanks:
I do have 2 boards left, but only enough parts for 1 complete test load. I had one problem with it and that was the drill sizes I used were all a bit tight on all of them. I had to force some of them down to get them to sit flush. I ended up wasting 3 diodes and some breakaway headers, but the resistor fits nicely. Not bad for my first prototype PCB, eh? :tinfoil: If there is enough demand I would be willing to sell them, but not assembled because I don't have enough free time . I wouldn't want people getting mad if I don't ship on time. I can sell you one not assembled.

 

[LaZeRz]

Wow NICE! especially for your first build! also very nice testload and finished product!

+1