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Thread: why are laser diode housings mostly brass or copper?

  1. #1
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    Default why are laser diode housings mostly brass or copper?

    From Australia to US the laser housing for sale are either copper or brass. I understand why copper would make sense, but why not use aluminum but brass instead which is both expensive and less efficient at thermal conductivity?
    The question is just for curiosity, seems like many people use brass housings so it can't be bad.

  2. #2
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    I think you will find brass mounts are more stable with thermal changes and the threads much more robust. A bitch to machine though!
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    brass is easy to machine, you dont need coolant
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    Quote Originally Posted by dnar View Post
    I think you will find brass mounts are more stable with thermal changes
    What do you mean?

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    Materials vary in how much they expand, warp or get soft when heated. When dealing with something (a laser diode) that needs to be precisely aimed and good contact maintained for heat disposition, the material's rigidity when heated trumps thermal conductivity to some degree.

    David
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    Aluminium "walks" with heat.
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    Brass shines like gold

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    The rich girl wears a ring of Gold
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  9. #9
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    I've heard thin 4mm aluminum sheet used for 3d printer beds can warp at 100C. But I didn't know it was a problem at lower temps with ticker aluminum pieces.
    Shouldn't I worry about the aluminum baseplate/heatsink warping then?

  10. #10
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    Make sure your baseplate is at least 6.25 mm thick or more.. If it is only 6 mm, reinforce it with 12.5 mm square aluminum stock running along its length in two or more places. Like this: []'''''''''''''[]. The supports stiffen it like an optical table in a lab. Thick baseplates are better as they allow more threads for the screws.. It won't warp from the weak heat from most diode or DPSS lasers.

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