removing a Blu ray diode from an axiz housing?

[Jerb]

Hello there, i bought a blu ray module from a group buy a while back and the seller put it in an axiz module for me and soldered leads to it. now Im in queue for one of kenoms awesome looking barrels.

my question is this, how do I remove the diode from the axiz housing? I unscrewed the housing to reveal a portion of PCB (presumable the bottom of the diode) where the two wire were soldered. i tried gently tugging and twisting but it didnt seem to budge. is there a trick?

(on a side note, are the axiz housings worth anything on the B/S/T forum?)

 

[Milos]

Hi,
Chances are that this diode is very well impressed into the housing, or even that some glue was used to keep it from ever moving.

I have removed some dead diodes out and they were stuck in there pretty tight.

Whatever you do, try to cut a little square from scotch tape (clear tape) and place it over the window of the diode. It will protect it till you are done working. Also, stay grounded all the time while working with diodes.

good luck.

 

[IgorT]

I suppose you ordered it in the aixiz module, with the leads soldered on?

If you tug at it, you'll only destroy it. There is absolutelly no way to reliably get it out without killing it.

When i use aixiz modules, i hammer the 5mW out, and so far only one survived. A better way is to use a vice, and a metal stick, that pushes the diode out, but in all cases you are pushing directly at the top of the diode, where it is the weakest. The window would get broken, and the diode most likely destroyed.


I can imagine only one way of getting it out safelly. Cutting the aixiz module in half, very carefully with a dremel diamond plated cutting tool, from both sides slowly, untill you'd get to the diode.


On the other hand, Chimo did manage to get his blue ray out of the AixiZ module, when it burnt it's own window.. But he must have done it from below. Not by pulling on the leads, as that would rip them out. The strongest part of the diode is it's base. Maybe if you stick something between the base of the diode and the aixiz module and lever it out..


Ask Chimo, he might be able to help.


Oh, that PCB under the diode is usually left on, because it makes soldering wires to the leads safer and easier. Otherwise, solder can flow own the lead and short it to the base. You shouldn't tug at that either, since you would again rip the leads out of the diode.

 

[Milos]

Theoretically, there is a bit of space arround the walls of diode's can(about 1mm) between the wall of aixiz module hole, and diode . You can see diode's base through there.
So if you find really hard/thin metal tool that can safely fit there (at least on two points, and use vise grip to push base out of the aixiz module, that should get it out. Chances are good something might go wrong and move and smash the diode can though. You gotta be extremely careful and find just the right tool as there is literary NO SPACE for error.

again, good luck

 

[chimo]

I pushed mine out from the top using a flat bottomed metal rod in a drill press. I screwed the bottom on the aixiz first to "catch" the LD. Make certain that everthing is aligned and square so that you get an even pressure on the can.

Even doing this, the front window still cracked on the LD. That was OK by be because I had planned on removing the can anyways.

Here are a couple of links to give you some ideas.

Link 1

Link 2

 

[Jerb]

thanks for the info everyone

 

[IgorT]

Theoretically, there is a bit of space arround the walls of diode's can(about 1mm) between the wall of aixiz module hole, and diode . You can see diode's base through there.

That's actually a VERY good idea Miloš!

This would definatelly be the safest way to do it. Everything else would require pressure directly on the window.


I might use this, if i ever need to remove a diode. Thanks!

 

[Milos]

my pleasure, its matter of finding a perfect tool. Then it really should be pretty safe and easy.

cheers

 

[chimo]

Oh, and as a last resort you can always cut the aixiz module. Make a cut along the length until you get close to the LD. Then use a wedge (screwdriver) to expand/spread the cut and loosen on the diode. The BR LD is worth about 10 times the cost of the Aixiz module so this is a reasonable method.

 

[Milos]

If you go for cutting, please don't forget to cover diode window with piece of clear tape. You will have lots of fine metal dust all over the place and its will scratch diode window if you try to clean it off afterwards.

Cleaning diode window is as much fun as dropping your laser on the hard floor.

 

[dr_lava]

Milos is right, there is stainless steel piping available that fits perfectly around the top of the diode so that you can press on the base only to push it out. It works fairly well and is less dangerous than pressing on the front of the diode, because any deformation in the metal can can cause the aperture glass to crack.

 

[Kenom]

Problem resolved guys. He's shipping it to me and I'll use my tube to press it back out and put it in his barrel. he was going to cancel the order thinking he couldn't get it out. but we got it worked out.
preciate the help though. that's what I love about these forums. Lots of helpful folks.

 

[future_prius]

I have two of the modules from the Daedal group buy, mounted in the AixiZ module he supplied.

Do these work directly with your barrel, Kenom? I was under the impression that they would.

Thanks!

 

[IgorT]

Do these work directly with your barrel, Kenom? I was under the impression that they would.

The barrels are made so, that you can stick the diode in them directly.

You can not put them in with the aixiz module. That is why this thread is about removing them.


You're gonna have to use a tube, that fits around exactly, to push them out. It seems to be the safest method. Safer even, than cutting the aixiz module in half.


After hearing the idea i went looking for such a tube, because i might need to extract an expensive diode safelly one day. I found it in a hardware store, and already managed to extract a 5mW from an aixiz module for practice, without destroying it.

I put the assembled aixiz module in a vice, together with this tube, so that when i slowly tightened the vice, the tube pressed only at the base of the diode and slowly pushed it out without destroying it..


Since blue rays are sometimes very sensitive, i would also put some tissue into the back part of the aixiz module, for a softer landing.


EDIT: Since the tube has an inner diameter of 3.5mm and a very thin wall, i bent it during my first attempt, so i used a shorter piece.

 

[Kenom]

Yes, the blurays do fit into the barrels. but like igort said you do need to remove it from the module first. And like he said I have a tube that fits around the can and strikes the base to push the diode out. I've assembled this specifically because there are a lot of folks out there that need diodes removed without damaging them and this is a sure fire way.

 

[future_prius]

I've assembled this specifically because there are a lot of folks out there that need diodes removed without damaging them and this is a sure fire way.

Sigh. I somehow ordered two diodes in the modules. I need to simplify my life at the moment. :duh2:

I have two of your barrels on order. I have two diodes mounted in the AixiZ modules. Would you consider taking the modules and assembling two complete units or some additional $$? oo:

Thanks!

 

[Kenom]

yeah not a problem. However if you want I can easily make you one of these tools and sell it to you for a measly $5 shipped. (unless your outside the us) choice is of course yours.

 

[Kenom]

Ok got your diode and it's very nicely soldered wires. However I'm going to have to remove those nice shrink fittings and desolder the wires. Hope you don't mind

What do you want me to do with this module?

 

[Jerb]

thanks again so much. Ive sent you an email, its a better way to correspond for something as trivial as this