Best Aluminum Grade for optics?

[superj7777]

I apologize if this has been asked before, but what grade/type of aluminum do you like for mounting diodes and for base plates?

I've been leaning toward some 1" thick 6061, mainly because it's pretty inexpensive.

[sugeek]

For a baseplate tooling plate is recommended because it has been milled flat. Other members have ordered this from online metals. For mounts, I am not sure I order them from microlaserlabs (laserman532) or from ebay.

-Adam

[dave]

Look for ATP-5 plate

[swamidog]

sugeek is right. i use cast tooling plate. very flat and very shiny. nice to work with.

1" is way overkill. 1/4" is probably fine. 3/8" is definitely fine. remember, you have to carry it around when you're done and it gets heavy fast.

For a baseplate tooling plate is recommended because it has been milled flat. Other members have ordered this from online metals. For mounts, I am not sure I order them from microlaserlabs (laserman532) or from ebay.

-Adam

[Zoof]

If you go for the `general aluminum', the hardness of the aluminum is of interest if you plan on drilling and milling it. Soft aluminum is terrible for that. Go for the harder (and more expensive) aluminum. Cooling properties won't differ.

[mccarrot]

Depends on the sizing of your case, but I find 10mm absolute minimum, on cases bigger than 400mm it can bend a little bit causing you alignment goes bad. (depending where you bracket is mounted)

[andy_con]

just reading the title only, aluminium is crap for optics reflects 0%

[MisterWilling]

Look for ATP-5 plate

You might try looking for Mic 6 plate. It's the same thing but American standard.

[mixedgas]

While JIG plate or cast plate is great, on a budget, 1/4" 6061 with 1"x1" 6061 stringers running under it is lighter and stiffer then 3/8 or 1/2". I used to build interferometers and projectors this way.

Steve