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guided-learning:alignment

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guided-learning:alignment [2026/03/25 22:35] – Added Photos Jesse Bourassaguided-learning:alignment [2026/05/05 22:27] (current) – [General Alignment Practices] Jesse Bourassa
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 One of the most common but unfortunately confusing aspects about maintaining your laser is that the colors can get misaligned. In this guide, we will discuss what kinds of misalignment can happen, how to best avoid misalignment, and then show you how to re-align each type of alignment mount. One of the most common but unfortunately confusing aspects about maintaining your laser is that the colors can get misaligned. In this guide, we will discuss what kinds of misalignment can happen, how to best avoid misalignment, and then show you how to re-align each type of alignment mount.
  
-## INSERT INSTAGRAM LINK ## +[[https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUlPuj8D5Fj/|Instagram Short on Alignment]]
 ===== What is Alignment? ===== ===== What is Alignment? =====
  
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 Here are some examples of what different kinds and different complexities of misalignment look like to help you determine what needs to be adjusted. Here are some examples of what different kinds and different complexities of misalignment look like to help you determine what needs to be adjusted.
  
-{{ :guided-learning:14_alignment_issue_-_single_convergence.jpg?direct&600 |Single Color Convergence issue}} +== Single Color Convergence Issue: == 
-{{ :guided-learning:15_alignment_issue_-_multi_convergence.jpg?direct&600 |Multi Color Convergence issue}}+Blue too far down. 
 +{{ :guided-learning:14_alignment_issue_-_single_convergence.jpg?direct&600 |Single Color Convergence Issue}} 
 +== Multiple Color Convergence Issues: == 
 +Red too far up. Blue too far down. 
 +{{ :guided-learning:15_alignment_issue_-_multi_convergence.jpg?direct&600 |Multi Color Convergence Issues}} 
 +== Single Module Alignment Issue: == 
 +Blue split, partially going up.
 {{ :guided-learning:16_alignment_issue_-_single_module.jpg?direct&600 |Single Module Alignment Issue}} {{ :guided-learning:16_alignment_issue_-_single_module.jpg?direct&600 |Single Module Alignment Issue}}
-{{ :guided-learning:17_alignment_issue_-_multi_module.jpg?direct&600 |Multiple Module alignment issue}}+== Multiple Module alignment Issues: == 
 +Red split, partially going left and right.  Blue split, partially going up. 
 +{{ :guided-learning:17_alignment_issue_-_multi_module.jpg?direct&600 |Multiple Module alignment Issues}} 
 +== Single Module and Single Color Issue: == 
 +Red too far down.  Blue split, partially going up.
 {{ :guided-learning:18_alignment_issue_-_single_module_single_convergence.jpg?direct&600 |Single Module and Single Color Issue}} {{ :guided-learning:18_alignment_issue_-_single_module_single_convergence.jpg?direct&600 |Single Module and Single Color Issue}}
-{{ :guided-learning:19_aligment_issue_-_multi_module_multi_convergence.jpg?direct&600 |Multiple Module, Multiple Color Misalignment.}}+== Multiple Module, Multiple Color Misalignment Issues: == 
 +Red split, partially going left and right.  Green too far left and split, going further left.  Blue too far down and split, going up. 
 +{{ :guided-learning:19_aligment_issue_-_multi_module_multi_convergence.jpg?direct&600 |Multiple Module, Multiple Color Misalignment Issues}} 
 ===== Types of Optics Mounts ===== ===== Types of Optics Mounts =====
  
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 {{ :guided-learning:26_kinematic_mount_thread_count_lt10_.jpg?direct&600 |Close up of the screw's thread count with a dental pick}} {{ :guided-learning:26_kinematic_mount_thread_count_lt10_.jpg?direct&600 |Close up of the screw's thread count with a dental pick}}
  
-Kinematic mounts are often positioned close to the walls of a laser projector, and projectors typically have access panels so technicians can use them during setup of a show to fix alignment quickly. +Kinematic mounts are often positioned close to the walls of a laser projector, and projectors typically have access panels so technicians can use them during setup of a show to fix color convergence quickly. 
  
 {{ :guided-learning:27_elite_pro_opening_lt10_.jpg?direct&600 |Elite pro side opening}} {{ :guided-learning:27_elite_pro_opening_lt10_.jpg?direct&600 |Elite pro side opening}}
  
-High Quality kinematic mounts don’t get out of alignment often, but the oil eventually will dry out and the space between the threads will get slightly less precise, and as kinematic mounts age, they can be more prone to getting misaligned.+High quality kinematic mounts don’t get out of alignment often, but the oil eventually will dry out and the space between the threads will get slightly less precise, and as kinematic mounts age, they can be more prone to getting misaligned.
  
 ==== Motorized Mounts ==== ==== Motorized Mounts ====
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 If you are aligning the beam on site, or cannot get a bounce or a friend to call the movements out, using optical magnifiers like binoculars or a spotting scope can help get a good view of the beam at a great distance.  If you are aligning the beam on site, or cannot get a bounce or a friend to call the movements out, using optical magnifiers like binoculars or a spotting scope can help get a good view of the beam at a great distance. 
  
-## 33 Show a technician looking at a target at distance using binoculars ##+{{ :guided-learning:laser_spotter.jpg?direct&600 |technician looking at a target at distance using spotting scope}}
  
 === Eye Protection === === Eye Protection ===
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 If you are opening a laser, and especially a module, to do an alignment, it can be easy to accidentally use a reflective tool and shine full power beams all over the place. We recommend all users, but especially beginners, use some sort of power-reducing eyewear to reduce their risk while aligning. The recommended pair of eye protection for this kind of job can be found on the Pangolin website: If you are opening a laser, and especially a module, to do an alignment, it can be easy to accidentally use a reflective tool and shine full power beams all over the place. We recommend all users, but especially beginners, use some sort of power-reducing eyewear to reduce their risk while aligning. The recommended pair of eye protection for this kind of job can be found on the Pangolin website:
  
-## Technician Laser Safety Glasses ADD LINK HERE ##+[[https://pangolin.com/products/technician-laser-safety-glasses|Laser Technician Safety Glasses]]
  
 {{ :guided-learning:34_laser_safety_goggles.jpg?direct&600 |a technician looking at the inside of a laser, with safety goggles}} {{ :guided-learning:34_laser_safety_goggles.jpg?direct&600 |a technician looking at the inside of a laser, with safety goggles}}
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 Sometimes digital tools which can display your beam on a screen can be a useful less eye straining then looking directly at the beam. Often these setups are used by the manufacturers in their production to ease the strain on their employees and sometimes even get more accurate then the average eye can. One of the easiest solutions to get into this technology is with the **Beam Analyzer**, which can be purchased on the Pangolin website. Sometimes digital tools which can display your beam on a screen can be a useful less eye straining then looking directly at the beam. Often these setups are used by the manufacturers in their production to ease the strain on their employees and sometimes even get more accurate then the average eye can. One of the easiest solutions to get into this technology is with the **Beam Analyzer**, which can be purchased on the Pangolin website.
  
-##Beam Analyzer Measurement Device ADD LINK ## +[[https://pangolin.com/products/beam-analyzer-measurement-device|Beam Analyzer]]
- +
-## 36 Show a beam in the beam analyzer misaligned ##+
  
 === Make Sure Your Optics Are Clean === === Make Sure Your Optics Are Clean ===
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 Before performing an alignment, it is best to ensure that your optics are clean and free of any debris.  Dirty optics can lead to issues with the output that make alignment more difficult and, in worst case scenarios, could cause damage to the optics while the laser is on.  Laser light passing through optics should generate little-to-no scattering or "shine". If the beams seem bright when they pass through a dichroic filter or the output window, that optic is likely dirty.  Please refer to our guides on cleaning your optics to ensure they are clean before performing alignment: Before performing an alignment, it is best to ensure that your optics are clean and free of any debris.  Dirty optics can lead to issues with the output that make alignment more difficult and, in worst case scenarios, could cause damage to the optics while the laser is on.  Laser light passing through optics should generate little-to-no scattering or "shine". If the beams seem bright when they pass through a dichroic filter or the output window, that optic is likely dirty.  Please refer to our guides on cleaning your optics to ensure they are clean before performing alignment:
  
-## ADD CLEANING GUIDE ##+[[cleaning|How to Clean your Laser Projector]]
  
 === Use the Lowest Power Necessary === === Use the Lowest Power Necessary ===
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 Before we talk about aligning modules, it’s important to note that usually you don’t need to do this.  Modules typically stay in alignment through normal use.  However if it does need to be done, it should be done before color convergence. This process may need to be done to each color in the fixture separately depending on which colors have misaligned modules.  Before we talk about aligning modules, it’s important to note that usually you don’t need to do this.  Modules typically stay in alignment through normal use.  However if it does need to be done, it should be done before color convergence. This process may need to be done to each color in the fixture separately depending on which colors have misaligned modules. 
 +== Red Misaligned vs Realigned: ==
 {{:guided-learning:red_diodes_separated.jpg?direct&200|Red Misaligned}} {{:guided-learning:red_realigned.jpg?direct&200|Red Aligned}} {{:guided-learning:red_diodes_separated.jpg?direct&200|Red Misaligned}} {{:guided-learning:red_realigned.jpg?direct&200|Red Aligned}}
 +== Green Misaligned vs Realigned: ==
 {{:guided-learning:green_diode_misaligned.jpg?direct&200|Green Misaligned}} {{:guided-learning:green_realigned.jpg?direct&200|Green Realigned}} {{:guided-learning:green_diode_misaligned.jpg?direct&200|Green Misaligned}} {{:guided-learning:green_realigned.jpg?direct&200|Green Realigned}}
 +== Blue Misaligned vs Realigned: ==
 {{:guided-learning:blue_diodes_split.jpg?direct&200|Blue Misaligned}} {{:guided-learning:blue_realigned.jpg?direct&200|Blue Realigned}} {{:guided-learning:blue_diodes_split.jpg?direct&200|Blue Misaligned}} {{:guided-learning:blue_realigned.jpg?direct&200|Blue Realigned}}
 +== Didoes Misaligned, Colors Unconverged vs Correctly Aligned & Converged Projector: ==
 {{:guided-learning:diodes_misaligned_colors_unconverged.jpg?direct&200|Colors Misaligned and Unconverged}} {{:guided-learning:colors_reconverged.jpg?direct&200|Colors Aligned and Converged}} {{:guided-learning:diodes_misaligned_colors_unconverged.jpg?direct&200|Colors Misaligned and Unconverged}} {{:guided-learning:colors_reconverged.jpg?direct&200|Colors Aligned and Converged}}
  
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 {{ :guided-learning:40_laser_module_cover_cm24_.jpg?direct&600 |top down showing cover screws}} {{ :guided-learning:40_laser_module_cover_cm24_.jpg?direct&600 |top down showing cover screws}}
 +{{ :guided-learning:40_laser_module_cover_lifting_cm24_.jpg?direct&600 |top side showing lift direction}}
  
 Plan to just shoot the beam straight out of the projector, to your target, using whatever technique like a mirror or other methods mentioned in the previous section. Plan to just shoot the beam straight out of the projector, to your target, using whatever technique like a mirror or other methods mentioned in the previous section.
guided-learning/alignment.1774474526.txt · Last modified: by Jesse Bourassa
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