New 445 build - 3 Diode host

[CDBEAM777]

Yea...in looking at that small custom MM1 style mount....It MIGHT ride low enough !! ???

The reason I like the " Flexmount " style....is that the attachment pad pitch/yaw is determined by the amount of flex....which is determined by the push/pull adjustment screws !! This provides a very stable mount....but one which can be adjusted in very small increments !!

The "Lowboy" Techhood mount looks like it has pitch flex....and the yaw movement is likely delivered by rotation about the mount down bolt...that's good...keep it simple !!!!

Interesting conundrum !!!

To open up the entry into the " Combiner " class....we should look for solutions provided with as many off the shelf components as possible...IMNSHO !!!

The basic host itself is SOOooo unique.....I see NO other option than a custom unit for this component....but....for other things....maybe some off the shelf things may work !!

Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>:san:

 

[CDBEAM777]

WM.....SOoooo....You have found these !!!

Adjustable Optical Mount Newport mm 1 Style Very Small Microlaserlabs Micromount | eBay

As you previously suggested.....epoxy a thin Aluminum strip to the pad.. but a long rectangular strip..and mount your 10mm x 10mm steering mirror to the lower extension of that strip.

That looks like it would work....but....I still like the Techhood "Lowboy"....and at 7 bucks a pop.....worthwhile to get a few to see !!

Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>

 

[Wmacky]

WM.....SOoooo....You have found these !!!

Adjustable Optical Mount Newport mm 1 Style Very Small Microlaserlabs Micromount | eBay

As you previously suggested.....epoxy a thin Aluminum strip to the pad.. but a long rectangular strip..and mount your 10mm x 10mm steering mirror to the lower extension of that strip.

That looks like it would work....but....I still like the Techhood "Lowboy"....and at 7 bucks a pop.....worthwhile to get a few to see !!

Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>

I did order 3 "lowboys" yesterday, And, yes I have been looking at those micros MM1 types on Ebay. I dropped him a note asking if he would be willing to alter the height, but I don't think he's interested. I must buy a mill so I can stop depending on others! I wonder if a Taig would do for my small hobby stuff? Anyway the host is dur tomorrow, so I can finally tale some measurements!

 

[IWIRE]

This is a very interesting thread for me. Can't wait to see it come together ! I want to do one this winter I hope. I've been studying trying to get a game plan down. Instead of trying to get the optics to fit the host. I'm thinking I'll design the host around the optics
Thanks for sharing all the info ! :beer:

 

[CDBEAM777]

Re: New 445 build - 3 Diode host/Combiner rant

This is a very interesting thread for me. Can't wait to see it come together ! I want to do one this winter I hope. I've been studying trying to get a game plan down. Instead of trying to get the optics to fit the host. I'm thinking I'll design the host around the optics
Thanks for sharing all the info ! :beer:

Well...Yes....But...WM was going with the ARG method....and...with that mounting scheme....he would surly have enough room for the combining optics...but NOT any corrective optics.

The challenge lies with changing direction....and going with adjustable mounts !!! Can we fit 10lbs (4.53K)....of shit inta a 8lbs (3.62K ) bag ?????? Maybe !!!!

For ANYONE considering designing/building/commissioning a "Combiner" build...It would be wise to START WITH THE OPTICS !!!

If one puts the LD modules on the host centerline....this provides the most horizontal distance within a circular host geometry. By placing the LD modules at this location....the overall host diameter will be held to a minimum !!

Also...If one minimizes the vertical distance between beam centerline and the " OPTICAL EXTENSION PLATFORM "....lets call this the OEP....then because of the circular geometry....this maximizes the width of the OEP....SOooo...ya got more room for your optical components !! To clairify... The OEP is the extension of the LD heat sink that sticks out from the front of the host...flat on top....and curved on the bottom.

These Techhood " Lowboy " mounts surly have promise !!!! They are nice and low. You sacrifice the fine adjustment of the yaw movement....but....you lower how low your bounce mirror or PBC can be placed !! Always trade-offs !!

I have made a drawing of what I THINK the dimensions will be on the Lowboy mount. See attached. It looks like the mount pad extends down to 5.5mm height of the OEP....SOoooo...if this is close to correct....then this SHOULD work for WM !!!

In closing....Start with your optics. !!! Design your host around what you want to optically achieve. If you want to include corrective/adaptive optics....such as Anamorphic prism's or Cylinderical lenses...you must design your OEP to be long enough to accomplish this end !!

"Combiner's" are challenging.....and it helps to use CAD to design and " Move the furniture around" in the virtual world....AND....it surly is a benefit to have machine mills to move things from paper to 3D....BUT....there are and will be members to share/ help....within our talent pool !!!

Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>

 

[jander6442]

Here you go small and very precise. Maybe we could get someone to clone them I would be down for that.

MM-050-HEX

I'm working on a 3 diode host/build myself and I have most of the parts now going to be epic and somewhat easy I hope.

Check this thread out for some help on mounts anyways....http://laserpointerforums.com/f38/d...bs-cube-newport-mounts-89822.html#post1305825

 

[IWIRE]

Can we fit 10lbs (4.53K)....of shit inta a 8lbs (3.62K ) bag ?????? Maybe !!!!



Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>

We have the technology and the will to succeed. It can be done ! I'm thinking if we pull a vacuum on the shit, it's surface area will decrease, the weight will stay they same, AND it will fit in the bag.
This ain't my first rodeo. :crackup:

 

[Wmacky]

Re: New 445 build - 3 Diode host/Combiner rant

CDBEAM - The middle module is on the centerline on that host. Must be a bad pic angle!

As to host, design and space available, It's just one of those things where I will have to make it work. I'm very happy with the "look" of host, and absolutely wouldn't want it any longer or wider. It's as narrow as it can be and still fit 3 modules side by side. For me, it's at the limit of what I find acceptable as far as big hosts go.

Well...Yes....But...WM was going with the ARG method....and...with that mounting scheme....he would surly have enough room for the combining optics...but NOT any corrective optics.

The challenge lies with changing direction....and going with adjustable mounts !!! Can we fit 10lbs (4.53K)....of shit inta a 8lbs (3.62K ) bag ?????? Maybe !!!!

For ANYONE considering designing/building/commissioning a "Combiner" build...It would be wise to START WITH THE OPTICS !!!

If one puts the LD modules on the host centerline....this provides the most horizontal distance within a circular host geometry. By placing the LD modules at this location....the overall host diameter will be held to a minimum !!

Also...If one minimizes the vertical distance between beam centerline and the " OPTICAL EXTENSION PLATFORM "....lets call this the OEP....then because of the circular geometry....this maximizes the width of the OEP....SOooo...ya got more room for your optical components !! To clairify... The OEP is the extension of the LD heat sink that sticks out from the front of the host...flat on top....and curved on the bottom.

These Techhood " Lowboy " mounts surly have promise !!!! They are nice and low. You sacrifice the fine adjustment of the yaw movement....but....you lower how low your bounce mirror or PBC can be placed !! Always trade-offs !!

I have made a drawing of what I THINK the dimensions will be on the Lowboy mount. See attached. It looks like the mount pad extends down to 5.5mm height of the OEP....SOoooo...if this is close to correct....then this SHOULD work for WM !!!

In closing....Start with your optics. !!! Design your host around what you want to optically achieve. If you want to include corrective/adaptive optics....such as Anamorphic prism's or Cylinderical lenses...you must design your OEP to be long enough to accomplish this end !!

"Combiner's" are challenging.....and it helps to use CAD to design and " Move the furniture around" in the virtual world....AND....it surly is a benefit to have machine mills to move things from paper to 3D....BUT....there are and will be members to share/ help....within our talent pool !!!

Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>

 

[Wmacky]

Nice build. Thanks for posting that!

Yeah those mounts are just the ticket, but that price! What a large pill to swallow. I guess I'll see how those Ebay "lowboys" work, then go from there.

I'd love to use your layout, but then I'd have to give up my third aiming diode. :cryyy: As is there is no way to use a mount on the cube. Not any mount!

Again, Id be willing to forgo the third beam if I could use 2 - 3.5 waters AND correct them. Perhaps there would be enough room in front of the cube for cylidicals if I were to eliminate the third beam's Dicrotic mirror set up.

I'll just have to wait until I can take measurements.............

Here you go small and very precise. Maybe we could get someone to clone them I would be down for that.

MM-050-HEX

I'm working on a 3 diode host/build myself and I have most of the parts now going to be epic and somewhat easy I hope.

Check this thread out for some help on mounts anyways....http://laserpointerforums.com/f38/d...bs-cube-newport-mounts-89822.html#post1305825

 

[IWIRE]

Nice build. Thanks for posting that!

This thread is getting too cool ! There is a bunch of great info and links all in one place ! I can't wait until you start assembling it and working through the challenges.
Great thread ! :beer:

 

[CDBEAM777]

WM....Yes....the middle LD is on the vertical centerline. I was referring to the horizontal plane at 90 degree to the vertical centerline at max. diameter. Is there a word for this ??? horizontal centerline ?? Dunno

And....I understand why you are firm on your preference of your build host....it looks great
...in this case.....function follows form !!!

The Lowboys might work....or...the Newport MM1 could fit !!! BOTH are preferable to the painfully slow
sequential process of " Filing down the post ".

As I often state.....there are ALWAYS trade-offs !!!

And.....Even with the elimination of the red aiming LD....you do not have enough length to fit Anamorphics or Cylindericals on the OEP !!!
Even without final OEP chord dimensions.....my eyeball sez you are SOL.

Lite'em Up CDBEAM=======>:beer:

 

[Wmacky]

Update:

Ok, the parts are starting to arrive. Pics to come. I got the optics shipment in from the UK, and the Techood eBayed G2 clones. I need to get with Jayrob, and see if he is still doing the "keyed" tail cap mods.
I think I have settled on my diodes. As tempting as the NDB7A75 are, I have decide against them. Reason included the bad divergence, price, and the lack of high powered bucking drivers. I know they can be cleaned up with cylindrical lenses, but it appeared to me that masking was also needed for a great beam!

I have decided to go the 2 - 3 Watt 445's, and the Oclaro 170mW 638nm Single Mode for the targeting beam. The remaining question is how hard to push the 445's? I could go safe as with my last build and use a 2.2A driver, or go for over 3 Watts with 2.4A. My question is if there is any data or experiences that prove a shorter life with the 2.4A drivers?

 

[crazyspaz]

Cant wait tl see the build start. After completely rebuilding (and therefore realigning) my RGB module today, I gotta say good luck on this! I think it will be difficult, but very well worth it. If you dont minde asking, whats your total price for this looking like?

 

[Wmacky]

Cant wait tl see the build start. After completely rebuilding (and therefore realigning) my RGB module today, I gotta say good luck on this! I think it will be difficult, but very well worth it. If you dont minde asking, whats your total price for this looking like?

Somewhere around $900

 

[IsaacT]

My question is if there is any data or experiences that prove a shorter life with the 2.4A drivers?

Go for the 2.4A setting. I have yet to see a bad side to the extra 200mA. You gain power and the only thing you really lose is some seconds on the duty cycle.

 

[crazyspaz]

900$ doesnt seem bad. I second going with 2.4 amps, sinply because I have never had problems with diodes dyinh from a little overdriving. Heck my m140 was like 1.7 amps or something like that and it kept on huffin until I used the wrong batteries and killed it (doh!)