beam combiner????

[Jack Martin]

So I bought a beam combiner that included the mount, mirror, and combining lens. (Cloudlaser) Had to make many modifications in the mount to get things to sort out. Beam seemed really, really weak. Was having so much trouble I took off the combining lens and that allowed me to get that mirror aligned....nothing else was moved. Took and put the combining lens back in place and almost no beam at same settings. Do those lenses only go one direction? Didn't seem to be, but could have missed that.

So anyhow I ended up putting the old mirror (1) back and realigned as I had some jobs to do. I cannot return this as I had to modify the mount post.

Thoughts?

[Frank Small]

Jack

My understanding is that the mirror is directional, but I don’t know for sure. Gene is your point guy here.

F

[Gene Uselman]

I believe they are marked but have never seen the markings personally. I have tried switching the directions and did not notice a difference. It seems that there are two styles of combiners sold- I had two of the style you have on the last laser I bought and never got them to work to my satisfaction. I have always used the LIghtObject style with the led in the stem pointing up and have had good luck with them. The theory is the same but... as Russ is investigating/learning with lenses... actuality is what counts. The LO version is easier to place in the beam path IMHO.

LO style.

beam combiner lens mount.jpg

Cloudray style.

Beam combiner Cloudray.jpg

[Jack Martin]

Well Gene, I also tried flipping the lens without difference. Possibly not the correct type for my type laser? I mean it was like 90% reduction in power at delivery, I could just tell it was shooting. I did note the LO has a mount for the combine lens only which is something I was considering machining up one since I actually have the lens stuff with the Cloudray. I can find no information on single sided or not, no matter the mfg. to include American Photonics.

[Frank Small]

I saw this video from American Photonics on beam combiners. Depending on how tightly you mount the mirror, to tight can damage the Chrystal structure of the material.

The mirror is directional and you want to reflect off of the front side.

https://youtu.be/iO43PF3TZ_4

[Jack Martin]

That dude is so impressive. Thanks for the vid

[Gene Uselman]

Russ' hobby is videography and it shows.

[Frank Small]

Jack

If you are getting that much loss in power then it means it’s going somewhere else. Is the mirror getting hot?

You may want to see up some folded paper around the machine to act as littles walls to see if stray beams are hitting them. Keep you water spray bottle handy in he event of a fire.

[Jack Martin]

Well I got to messing around. The lens holder is so loose just light finger pressure will unscrew the lockring. I do not think I distorted it. I may have some weird lens tho. A red LED passes light in both directions when shone through it at 90 degrees but the beam appears to loose at least 50% of it's brilliance no matter the direction tried. This is in a 2" gap as I removed the holder and am doing this with hands. Either side also reflects the beam if angled. No apparent loss of beam if only using as a mirror.

[Jack Martin]

In my frustration I got hold of Lou at American Photonics. He and I discussed this and he is baffled as to the cause of this. He is shipping out a lens that I can return to see if there is any difference. He is so educated. A joy to talk to him. Very personable. I will update once I have his lens to try. He also pointed out the lens can be between mirror 1 and mirror 2 also, which is not something I had considered. He did mention it may just be a lens that did not get the coating. Apparently this coating allows almost all the light through, versus the 17% loss per EACH side of the lens or 34% loss if no coating. I may not have that correctly stated, it is the principal that matters. They are in Florida and I am in Washington, so it will be a few days and I have to make a mount setup for it.