What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Fri Jul 20 2007, 05:18PMI was wondering for my knowledge and for others if people who have removed the DVD diode from a drive what model has the highest power output? I was also thinking of getting a light scribe drive as I think the laser burns the image onto the disc probably it has a very high power output.
Thanks for the help.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Madgyver, Fri Jul 20 2007, 06:08PM
I don't know if lightscribe drives are expecially strong or not, cause I never found such a device as junk, but I guess it wont make a big difference.
The image is not burnt into the disc, the disc has a special coating sensitive to the specific laser wavelength, making it change its color. Actualy just the same thing as used for the "data side" of the disc.
The key here is writing speed. The more speed the faster the DVD has to spin. If it spins very fast, the exposure time to the laserspot gets shorter, so the laser has to be stronger to make any effect.
Madgyver, Fri Jul 20 2007, 06:08PM
I don't know if lightscribe drives are expecially strong or not, cause I never found such a device as junk, but I guess it wont make a big difference.
The image is not burnt into the disc, the disc has a special coating sensitive to the specific laser wavelength, making it change its color. Actualy just the same thing as used for the "data side" of the disc.
The key here is writing speed. The more speed the faster the DVD has to spin. If it spins very fast, the exposure time to the laserspot gets shorter, so the laser has to be stronger to make any effect.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Fri Jul 20 2007, 06:23PM
thanks I was thinking of getting a 18X DVD and 8X DL speed samsung drive because the faster ones have the flat laser package not the can. I will be mounting it with a collimator lens. do you think it will be a powerful laser for burning/cutting/etching plastic?
Danielle, Fri Jul 20 2007, 06:23PM
thanks I was thinking of getting a 18X DVD and 8X DL speed samsung drive because the faster ones have the flat laser package not the can. I will be mounting it with a collimator lens. do you think it will be a powerful laser for burning/cutting/etching plastic?
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
..., Sat Jul 21 2007, 01:51AM
The power available from a dvd-r laser is directly proportional to the drive speed--so the faster the drive the better.
You aren't going to burn anything with a dvd-r laser, although when focused it is very possible to etch plastic. I have also heard of people using them to fuse finely ground plastic to make 2d/3d structures. If you want to be able to set things of fire your really want to have at least 10w of power available (CO2 laser would be ideal, although it is possible to get fiber coupled arrays of diodes for almost reasonable prices on ebay--just don't get the bare diode bars as they can't be focused worth a crap).
..., Sat Jul 21 2007, 01:51AM
The power available from a dvd-r laser is directly proportional to the drive speed--so the faster the drive the better.
You aren't going to burn anything with a dvd-r laser, although when focused it is very possible to etch plastic. I have also heard of people using them to fuse finely ground plastic to make 2d/3d structures. If you want to be able to set things of fire your really want to have at least 10w of power available (CO2 laser would be ideal, although it is possible to get fiber coupled arrays of diodes for almost reasonable prices on ebay--just don't get the bare diode bars as they can't be focused worth a crap).
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Sat Jul 21 2007, 02:57AM
thanks I may work on a CO2 laser though the tube is verry expensive and would be very hard to make. I just ordered the drive and I did reaserch and It contains a 280mw red laser diode in the 9 or 5 mm package can.
Danielle, Sat Jul 21 2007, 02:57AM
thanks I may work on a CO2 laser though the tube is verry expensive and would be very hard to make. I just ordered the drive and I did reaserch and It contains a 280mw red laser diode in the 9 or 5 mm package can.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
c4r0, Sat Jul 21 2007, 09:26AM
I found this picture on other electronic forum:
c4r0, Sat Jul 21 2007, 09:26AM
I found this picture on other electronic forum:
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
GreySoul, Sat Jul 21 2007, 02:01PM
I can make you a CO2 laser tube for very cheap - it's not as fancy as the $500 commercial tubes, but the last laser made with one is still welding titanium body jewelery 3 years later, so it must have worked. PM me if interested.
GreySoul, Sat Jul 21 2007, 02:01PM
I can make you a CO2 laser tube for very cheap - it's not as fancy as the $500 commercial tubes, but the last laser made with one is still welding titanium body jewelery 3 years later, so it must have worked. PM me if interested.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Madgyver, Sat Jul 21 2007, 04:01PM
Well I could tell you what to expect from a DVD laser diode, but wh don't you look for yourself:
These were made with diodes from 14x Drive If I recall correctly.
Madgyver, Sat Jul 21 2007, 04:01PM
Well I could tell you what to expect from a DVD laser diode, but wh don't you look for yourself:
These were made with diodes from 14x Drive If I recall correctly.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
EEYORE, Sat Jul 21 2007, 04:57PM
You can get brand new sealed 10watt c02 laser tubes on ebay for 199$. I dont think you will be making a successful c02 laser for cheaper than that. All you need is a HV power supply(your deffinately in the right place for that
)
As to DVD lasers for burning, why on earth do you want a DVD laser?You can get a diode laser producing many times the power of these DVD lasers on ebay. Ive had 2 watt fiber coupled diode lasers(IR) than QUICKLY etch.
Matt
EEYORE, Sat Jul 21 2007, 04:57PM
Rocketry76 wrote ...
thanks I may work on a CO2 laser though the tube is verry expensive and would be very hard to make. I just ordered the drive and I did reaserch and It contains a 280mw red laser diode in the 9 or 5 mm package can.
thanks I may work on a CO2 laser though the tube is verry expensive and would be very hard to make. I just ordered the drive and I did reaserch and It contains a 280mw red laser diode in the 9 or 5 mm package can.
You can get brand new sealed 10watt c02 laser tubes on ebay for 199$. I dont think you will be making a successful c02 laser for cheaper than that. All you need is a HV power supply(your deffinately in the right place for that
)As to DVD lasers for burning, why on earth do you want a DVD laser?You can get a diode laser producing many times the power of these DVD lasers on ebay. Ive had 2 watt fiber coupled diode lasers(IR) than QUICKLY etch.
Matt
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Madgyver, Sat Jul 21 2007, 05:39PM
Well I still guess these 2W diode lasers cost more then 2€ for a junk DVD-drive. That should explain why.
I got about 7 drives from a repair shop for 12€ total.
Cheap fun if you ask me.
Madgyver, Sat Jul 21 2007, 05:39PM
Well I still guess these 2W diode lasers cost more then 2€ for a junk DVD-drive. That should explain why.
I got about 7 drives from a repair shop for 12€ total.
Cheap fun if you ask me.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Sat Jul 21 2007, 08:46PM
Thanks for the help, I really like the graph. One question will be is what is the best way to remove the diode from the heat sink? I broke one earlier by pushing. Also the reason I bought the drive is because it was only $30 total with S/H and I found it probably is more than 300mw as it is 8X DL.
thanks.
Danielle, Sat Jul 21 2007, 08:46PM
Thanks for the help, I really like the graph. One question will be is what is the best way to remove the diode from the heat sink? I broke one earlier by pushing. Also the reason I bought the drive is because it was only $30 total with S/H and I found it probably is more than 300mw as it is 8X DL.
thanks.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Madgyver, Sat Jul 21 2007, 09:21PM
Depends on the drive. Some diodes are pressed into seperate cases and then glued to the laser head. These are the easy kind.
If the Diode is directly pressed into the head assembly, then you should try to cut "around" the diode hole with a hacksaw or something, then breaking it loose.
Madgyver, Sat Jul 21 2007, 09:21PM
Depends on the drive. Some diodes are pressed into seperate cases and then glued to the laser head. These are the easy kind.
If the Diode is directly pressed into the head assembly, then you should try to cut "around" the diode hole with a hacksaw or something, then breaking it loose.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Sat Jul 21 2007, 10:44PM
ill try it on my old sony diodes that I killed they first burned through a plastic sheet then it couldn't even shine I learned allot since then. should a 5V regulated variable current PSU be able to drive the diode?
Danielle, Sat Jul 21 2007, 10:44PM
ill try it on my old sony diodes that I killed they first burned through a plastic sheet then it couldn't even shine I learned allot since then. should a 5V regulated variable current PSU be able to drive the diode?
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
uzzors2k, Sun Jul 22 2007, 12:11PM
A constant current power supply is best for these diodes. Something simple like what c4r0 made will work fine.
uzzors2k, Sun Jul 22 2007, 12:11PM
A constant current power supply is best for these diodes. Something simple like what c4r0 made will work fine.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Madgyver, Sun Jul 22 2007, 12:31PM
Also important beside the constant current source, is a decent heat sink for the diode. If it overheats, its literaly toast in no time.
Madgyver, Sun Jul 22 2007, 12:31PM
Also important beside the constant current source, is a decent heat sink for the diode. If it overheats, its literaly toast in no time.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Sun Jul 22 2007, 05:30PM
thanks should a laser casing with a pressure mounted heat sink with lots of thermal grease and a fan work? also I will build the PSU you described Uzzors thanks.
Danielle, Sun Jul 22 2007, 05:30PM
thanks should a laser casing with a pressure mounted heat sink with lots of thermal grease and a fan work? also I will build the PSU you described Uzzors thanks.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Madgyver, Sun Jul 22 2007, 07:47PM
You dont need a fan, The critical part here is heat transfer from diode body to heat sink.
Just drill a hole into it with the diodes diameter, so that you can press it into it.
BTW. You never want to use "lots of thermal grease". just enough so that small scratches, gaps and stuff like that are filled with it, rather then air.
Madgyver, Sun Jul 22 2007, 07:47PM
You dont need a fan, The critical part here is heat transfer from diode body to heat sink.
Just drill a hole into it with the diodes diameter, so that you can press it into it.
BTW. You never want to use "lots of thermal grease". just enough so that small scratches, gaps and stuff like that are filled with it, rather then air.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Sun Jul 22 2007, 08:00PM
ok thanks Ill do it when I get it I have the laser mount I am just waiting on the drive I should get it on Monday Ill tell you how it goes also I am bidding on a 1W laser on ebay it is inferred so I really need to be careful. its fiber cupples and runs at 860MW from spectra labs.
Danielle, Sun Jul 22 2007, 08:00PM
ok thanks Ill do it when I get it I have the laser mount I am just waiting on the drive I should get it on Monday Ill tell you how it goes also I am bidding on a 1W laser on ebay it is inferred so I really need to be careful. its fiber cupples and runs at 860MW from spectra labs.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Wed Jul 25 2007, 12:14AM
I opened the drive and found a 380mw laser diode but its not packaged as a can its flat so I returned the drive. a good hint if you want to mount these things into normal mountings dont go fore anything above 16X I also took apart a 20X drive and it had a 400mw laser but same new packaging its a flat rectangle.
Danielle, Wed Jul 25 2007, 12:14AM
I opened the drive and found a 380mw laser diode but its not packaged as a can its flat so I returned the drive. a good hint if you want to mount these things into normal mountings dont go fore anything above 16X I also took apart a 20X drive and it had a 400mw laser but same new packaging its a flat rectangle.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Madgyver, Wed Jul 25 2007, 02:33AM
Where did you get such precise info about the diodes output power?
Normaly they aren't labeld or you will not be able to get a datasheet.
Madgyver, Wed Jul 25 2007, 02:33AM
Where did you get such precise info about the diodes output power?
Normaly they aren't labeld or you will not be able to get a datasheet.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Wed Jul 25 2007, 04:51PM
I found a data sheet for laser diodes for DVD drives and it specked the speed and package type and I matched the package with the speed of the drive and saw the ratings. I was rather disappointed though to finde them I wanted to make a 500mw laser pen for under $30.
Danielle, Wed Jul 25 2007, 04:51PM
I found a data sheet for laser diodes for DVD drives and it specked the speed and package type and I matched the package with the speed of the drive and saw the ratings. I was rather disappointed though to finde them I wanted to make a 500mw laser pen for under $30.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Tue Jul 31 2007, 06:40PM
can I put a .1uf decoupling capacitor across the leads of the laser diode to prevent voltage transients.
Danielle, Tue Jul 31 2007, 06:40PM
can I put a .1uf decoupling capacitor across the leads of the laser diode to prevent voltage transients.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
..., Tue Jul 31 2007, 06:45PM
hey, no double posting!
In any case, be careful to note that many laser diodes are rated for thier peak power rating, because in DVD drives the lasers are only powered for short bursts. The power that they are capable of running continiously is notably lower, usually well under 200mw...
You should be ok with a small cap across the pin on the laser diode, but you must be sure that the cap is discharged when you attach it, and that the connection between the cap/laser will never be broken while operating.
..., Tue Jul 31 2007, 06:45PM
hey, no double posting!
In any case, be careful to note that many laser diodes are rated for thier peak power rating, because in DVD drives the lasers are only powered for short bursts. The power that they are capable of running continiously is notably lower, usually well under 200mw...
You should be ok with a small cap across the pin on the laser diode, but you must be sure that the cap is discharged when you attach it, and that the connection between the cap/laser will never be broken while operating.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
EEYORE, Tue Jul 31 2007, 10:13PM
Perhaps a proper laser diode driver ought to be built to ensure best operation?
Where do you guys find these laser diodes?How is the beam quality? Good for holography?Are these diodes made to last? I am beginning to get interested in getting one for typical "pointing" and ect.
Matt
EEYORE, Tue Jul 31 2007, 10:13PM
Perhaps a proper laser diode driver ought to be built to ensure best operation?
Where do you guys find these laser diodes?How is the beam quality? Good for holography?Are these diodes made to last? I am beginning to get interested in getting one for typical "pointing" and ect.
Matt
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
..., Wed Aug 01 2007, 12:50AM
We rip them out of DVD-rw drives... They can be had for quite cheap
A 'proper' driver (assuming you mean a constant current regulator) would be nice, but really if you are running from a fixed supply that is considerably higher then the voltage drop of the laser diode (2-3v), a simple dropping resistor works pretty well.
As to the beam quality, I am 98% sure that these chips are highly multimode, have a horrible coherence length, etc, and I wouldn't even think about trying to do holography with them.
They were made to be as cheap as possible, and were designed to be run in short pulses... While they will probably last a long time, I doubt you will get the life expected from a 'real' laser diode, but even if you get 1/100 a normal diodes life is more than enough for most people.
Even for pointing they are not really perfectly suited, as they are getting into the IR part of the spectrum, 100mw of 650nm looks about as bright as does 5mw of 532nm green...
..., Wed Aug 01 2007, 12:50AM
We rip them out of DVD-rw drives... They can be had for quite cheap
A 'proper' driver (assuming you mean a constant current regulator) would be nice, but really if you are running from a fixed supply that is considerably higher then the voltage drop of the laser diode (2-3v), a simple dropping resistor works pretty well.
As to the beam quality, I am 98% sure that these chips are highly multimode, have a horrible coherence length, etc, and I wouldn't even think about trying to do holography with them.
They were made to be as cheap as possible, and were designed to be run in short pulses... While they will probably last a long time, I doubt you will get the life expected from a 'real' laser diode, but even if you get 1/100 a normal diodes life is more than enough for most people.
Even for pointing they are not really perfectly suited, as they are getting into the IR part of the spectrum, 100mw of 650nm looks about as bright as does 5mw of 532nm green...
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Wed Aug 01 2007, 02:10AM
I was thinking if I did want to run it at higher power levels where should I put a 555 interrupter on the current regulated PSU described in the schematic I was about to eche it as I got it to work with LEDs. here are some pics from a DL sony drive 4X and 18X DVD-R. If I want to modulate it then I student have the cap. and you caint see it but they were both shorted as soon as they were connected.
Danielle, Wed Aug 01 2007, 02:10AM
I was thinking if I did want to run it at higher power levels where should I put a 555 interrupter on the current regulated PSU described in the schematic I was about to eche it as I got it to work with LEDs. here are some pics from a DL sony drive 4X and 18X DVD-R. If I want to modulate it then I student have the cap. and you caint see it but they were both shorted as soon as they were connected.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
..., Wed Aug 01 2007, 02:19AM
I wouldnt trust the regulator presented earlier in this thread for use with a modulated signal, as you will probably end up with nasty spikes...
..., Wed Aug 01 2007, 02:19AM
I wouldnt trust the regulator presented earlier in this thread for use with a modulated signal, as you will probably end up with nasty spikes...
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Danielle, Wed Aug 01 2007, 03:17AM
ok I started it up and I saw a huge increase in power at 100ma so I stopped turning up the power but it dosnt burn anything. I brought up the power and it was really bright then I lowered it and something happened it has a really low power output and I killed it I think I spent so much money I need to just but a cuple diodes.
Danielle, Wed Aug 01 2007, 03:17AM
ok I started it up and I saw a huge increase in power at 100ma so I stopped turning up the power but it dosnt burn anything. I brought up the power and it was really bright then I lowered it and something happened it has a really low power output and I killed it I think I spent so much money I need to just but a cuple diodes.
Re: What is the most powerful DVD laser
Capper, Wed Aug 01 2007, 11:40AM
This is the one I made from a 16X burner. The laser is a flat pack type. The holder was made from a length of solid brass drilled out for the batteries, lens, and the laser is clamped down at the top.
I had to add an adjustable focus lens to get it to burn stuff.
It will light a match with fresh batteries and runs at about 200mA:
http://members.thegeekgroup.org/~capper/match.wmv
Scott
Capper, Wed Aug 01 2007, 11:40AM
This is the one I made from a 16X burner. The laser is a flat pack type. The holder was made from a length of solid brass drilled out for the batteries, lens, and the laser is clamped down at the top.
I had to add an adjustable focus lens to get it to burn stuff.
It will light a match with fresh batteries and runs at about 200mA:
http://members.thegeekgroup.org/~capper/match.wmv
Scott
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