My Built Begins

[gilv_58]

After reading some posts and soliciting some advice I decided to start putting things together today. I am sure I will still need more advice with every step.

Like I posted before I had purchased a 100mw Green laser, scanners and a case. I bought a .50" aluminum plate to use as an optics bed. I ordered a mirror mount to align the laser with the galvo block.

Here are the plate and case

Not much room on the first set up.

The second set up leaves room for a possible second laser.

Looks like I meed to get a bigger case.

Comments??

[Laser Ben]

Looks good so far! I like the idea of using the electrical enclosure!

[gottaluvlasers]

looks great gil! excellent start!

[Hemlock Mike]

1/2" of 6061-T6 ???? WOW -- that's a chunk of aluminum!!!!!!!
Heatsinking will be no problem........ Nice but HEAVY.

Mike

[f22warzone]

I thought the scanner amps had to sit straight up and down for heat sinking of those chips on the bottom?
Just wondering but how much did that plate cost? Looks good tho : ) Cant wait to build mine hopefully this weekend : )

[pelosh]

Looks like I meed to get a bigger case.

Or smaller parts
Lovely baseplate! Just as it should be.

[Doc]

Meaty!

As f22warzone said; those scanner amps would be better stood up vertical, make sure you use heatsink paste between them and your baseplate.

[gilv_58]

Thanks for the comments

With respect to the .50" plate:
1) I wanted a good heatsink
2) The weight (about 7 lbs or so) adds to the stability of the scanner unit. It measures 11"x13"
3) It only cost me $26 at a local place (vz $70 for ordering online or $160 for a breadbord)

With respect to the scanner amps placed standing up The case has no room for that. The voltage regulating chips (the parts that will get hot) are attached to the amps heatsink, the heatsink angles down and continues to the bottom of the amp thus I think it may not make a difference how they are placed. It may even be better if they are placed like I placed them because there is a larger surface transmitting the heat away from the amp circuit board. I'll take a pic to show what I mean.

I have school tonight so the drilling and tapping of the base plate will take place over the weekend. I hope I get the mirror mount and mirror this weekend so I can line things up.

[Insanity]

Looking good.

I reckon you should leave the scanner amps as they are. Standing them up saves space, but leaving them as is allows access to the trimmers for any tuning you might need to do in future. Having them vertical will make tuning a bit of a nightmare.

Just my 2p

Mark

[gilv_58]

The small case was bothering me all day long, so on my way to school I stopped my my local computer and electronics store. Picked up this case that is intended for home entertainment (PC based Digital Video Recorders) systems.

After removing some screws I have an almost perfect case. I still need to remove the dividers by popping off a few rivets.