Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing

[Gregg Sobocinski]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Our 561nm diode laser went bad on a confocal system, and it has taken 2
months to obtain a new one. I pose four lines of questioning to the list:

1) Have people tried refurbishing old lasers? How did they perform?
2) Do you believe that refurbished lasers are a good value at half the
price of new replacement?
3) Do lasers degrade while sitting unused on a shelf? (Should we have a
refurbished laser on hand for next time, or should we wait?)
4) Is two months typical for ordering a laser without a service contract?
Are lasers in that short of supply?

Thanks in advance to all responders.
~Gregg
--
*Gregg Sobocinski*
Microscope Imaging Specialist
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

[Andreas Bruckbauer]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****


 I would expect the replacement to be there in 2-3 days but this is with a service contract!  My knowledge regarding degrading is based on Argon Ion lasers, with these the tube pressure increases when they are not used and then the laser does not start any more, so they don't last on the shelf. 561 lasers are DPSS and not simple diodes, but i would not expect them to degrade over time, but they are more expensive than diodes, so it is a lot of money standing around.

best wishes

Andreas



 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Gregg Sobocinski <[hidden email]>
To: CONFOCALMICROSCOPY <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:37
Subject: Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing


*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Our 561nm diode laser went bad on a confocal system, and it has taken 2
months to obtain a new one. I pose four lines of questioning to the list:

1) Have people tried refurbishing old lasers? How did they perform?
2) Do you believe that refurbished lasers are a good value at half the
price of new replacement?
3) Do lasers degrade while sitting unused on a shelf? (Should we have a
refurbished laser on hand for next time, or should we wait?)
4) Is two months typical for ordering a laser without a service contract?
Are lasers in that short of supply?

Thanks in advance to all responders.
~Gregg
--
*Gregg Sobocinski*
Microscope Imaging Specialist
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

 

[Zac Arrac Atelaz]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Gregg:
 
You should be very cautious here, you can have some stuff that MIGHT have SOME Little shelf life, but, your dealer warranty is going to die on the shelf too. So my humble opinión is make a full stop when the laser dies and wait for it as long as it takes, that is way better than spending twice the money, because the fail took longer than planned and the spare part die and its warranty too. Just my two cents.
 
Regards and Hapiness for you all
 
Gabriel OH
 

> Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 11:47:11 -0500
> From: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing
> To: [hidden email]
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
>
>  I would expect the replacement to be there in 2-3 days but this is with a service contract!  My knowledge regarding degrading is based on Argon Ion lasers, with these the tube pressure increases when they are not used and then the laser does not start any more, so they don't last on the shelf. 561 lasers are DPSS and not simple diodes, but i would not expect them to degrade over time, but they are more expensive than diodes, so it is a lot of money standing around.
>
> best wishes
>
> Andreas
>
>
>
>  
>
>  
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gregg Sobocinski <[hidden email]>
> To: CONFOCALMICROSCOPY <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:37
> Subject: Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing
>
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Our 561nm diode laser went bad on a confocal system, and it has taken 2
> months to obtain a new one. I pose four lines of questioning to the list:
>
> 1) Have people tried refurbishing old lasers? How did they perform?
> 2) Do you believe that refurbished lasers are a good value at half the
> price of new replacement?
> 3) Do lasers degrade while sitting unused on a shelf? (Should we have a
> refurbished laser on hand for next time, or should we wait?)
> 4) Is two months typical for ordering a laser without a service contract?
> Are lasers in that short of supply?
>
> Thanks in advance to all responders.
> ~Gregg
> --
> *Gregg Sobocinski*
> Microscope Imaging Specialist
> University of Michigan
> Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
>
>  

     

[Gregg Sobocinski]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Andreas,
Thanks for the feedback. Our confocal under contract does get new lasers
delivered and installed in a week. My impression that the 561nm laser on a
shelf would be fine (just don't drop it!). Thanks for reaffirming these
thoughts.

~Gregg


On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 11:47 AM, Andreas Bruckbauer <[hidden email]>wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
>
>  I would expect the replacement to be there in 2-3 days but this is with a
> service contract!  My knowledge regarding degrading is based on Argon Ion
> lasers, with these the tube pressure increases when they are not used and
> then the laser does not start any more, so they don't last on the shelf.
> 561 lasers are DPSS and not simple diodes, but i would not expect them to
> degrade over time, but they are more expensive than diodes, so it is a lot
> of money standing around.
>
> best wishes
>
> Andreas
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gregg Sobocinski <[hidden email]>
> To: CONFOCALMICROSCOPY <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:37
> Subject: Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing
>
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Our 561nm diode laser went bad on a confocal system, and it has taken 2
> months to obtain a new one. I pose four lines of questioning to the list:
>
> 1) Have people tried refurbishing old lasers? How did they perform?
> 2) Do you believe that refurbished lasers are a good value at half the
> price of new replacement?
> 3) Do lasers degrade while sitting unused on a shelf? (Should we have a
> refurbished laser on hand for next time, or should we wait?)
> 4) Is two months typical for ordering a laser without a service contract?
> Are lasers in that short of supply?
>
> Thanks in advance to all responders.
> ~Gregg
> --
> *Gregg Sobocinski*
> Microscope Imaging Specialist
> University of Michigan
> Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
>
>
>

--
*Gregg Sobocinski*
Microscope Imaging Specialist
University of Michigan, MCDB Dept.
830 N. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
[phone]

[Gregg Sobocinski]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Gabriel,
An excellent point! I'll pass that along to the inquiring researcher.

Regards,
~Gregg


On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 12:15 PM, Zac Arrac Atelaz <[hidden email]>wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Gregg:
>
> You should be very cautious here, you can have some stuff that MIGHT have
> SOME Little shelf life, but, your dealer warranty is going to die on the
> shelf too. So my humble opinión is make a full stop when the laser dies and
> wait for it as long as it takes, that is way better than spending twice the
> money, because the fail took longer than planned and the spare part die and
> its warranty too. Just my two cents.
>
> Regards and Hapiness for you all
>
> Gabriel OH
>
> > Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 11:47:11 -0500
> > From: [hidden email]
> > Subject: Re: Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing
> > To: [hidden email]
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > *****
> >
> >
> >  I would expect the replacement to be there in 2-3 days but this is with
> a service contract!  My knowledge regarding degrading is based on Argon Ion
> lasers, with these the tube pressure increases when they are not used and
> then the laser does not start any more, so they don't last on the shelf.
> 561 lasers are DPSS and not simple diodes, but i would not expect them to
> degrade over time, but they are more expensive than diodes, so it is a lot
> of money standing around.
> >
> > best wishes
> >
> > Andreas
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Gregg Sobocinski <[hidden email]>
> > To: CONFOCALMICROSCOPY <[hidden email]>
> > Sent: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:37
> > Subject: Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing
> >
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > *****
> >
> > Our 561nm diode laser went bad on a confocal system, and it has taken 2
> > months to obtain a new one. I pose four lines of questioning to the list:
> >
> > 1) Have people tried refurbishing old lasers? How did they perform?
> > 2) Do you believe that refurbished lasers are a good value at half the
> > price of new replacement?
> > 3) Do lasers degrade while sitting unused on a shelf? (Should we have a
> > refurbished laser on hand for next time, or should we wait?)
> > 4) Is two months typical for ordering a laser without a service contract?
> > Are lasers in that short of supply?
> >
> > Thanks in advance to all responders.
> > ~Gregg
> > --
> > *Gregg Sobocinski*
> > Microscope Imaging Specialist
> > University of Michigan
> > Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
> >
> >
>

[Craig Brideau]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

The 561's are (usually) a NIR laser diode passed through a doubling
crystal.  The efficiency of the doubling crystal is temperature dependent,
so there is usually an oven or temperature controller in the laser to keep
the diode and doubling crystal at a constant temperature.  If the drive
electronics for the oven go (or the current drive for the diode) the laser
will fail.  As long as the circuitry is not zapped with static the laser
should have a long shelf life.  I'd recommend keeping it in an anti-static
bag if you plan to store one, or any diode/diode pumped laser for that
matter.  Newer lasers have electronics that are designed to better
withstand such problems but better safe than sorry!

Craig


On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 10:32 AM, Gregg Sobocinski <[hidden email]>wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Andreas,
> Thanks for the feedback. Our confocal under contract does get new lasers
> delivered and installed in a week. My impression that the 561nm laser on a
> shelf would be fine (just don't drop it!). Thanks for reaffirming these
> thoughts.
>
> ~Gregg
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 11:47 AM, Andreas Bruckbauer <[hidden email]
> >wrote:
>
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > *****
> >
> >
> >  I would expect the replacement to be there in 2-3 days but this is with
> a
> > service contract!  My knowledge regarding degrading is based on Argon Ion
> > lasers, with these the tube pressure increases when they are not used and
> > then the laser does not start any more, so they don't last on the shelf.
> > 561 lasers are DPSS and not simple diodes, but i would not expect them to
> > degrade over time, but they are more expensive than diodes, so it is a
> lot
> > of money standing around.
> >
> > best wishes
> >
> > Andreas
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Gregg Sobocinski <[hidden email]>
> > To: CONFOCALMICROSCOPY <[hidden email]>
> > Sent: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:37
> > Subject: Shelf life of lasers and refurbishing
> >
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > *****
> >
> > Our 561nm diode laser went bad on a confocal system, and it has taken 2
> > months to obtain a new one. I pose four lines of questioning to the list:
> >
> > 1) Have people tried refurbishing old lasers? How did they perform?
> > 2) Do you believe that refurbished lasers are a good value at half the
> > price of new replacement?
> > 3) Do lasers degrade while sitting unused on a shelf? (Should we have a
> > refurbished laser on hand for next time, or should we wait?)
> > 4) Is two months typical for ordering a laser without a service contract?
> > Are lasers in that short of supply?
> >
> > Thanks in advance to all responders.
> > ~Gregg
> > --
> > *Gregg Sobocinski*
> > Microscope Imaging Specialist
> > University of Michigan
> > Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> *Gregg Sobocinski*
> Microscope Imaging Specialist
> University of Michigan, MCDB Dept.
> 830 N. University Ave.
> Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
> [phone]
>