XT66 66 mm Optical Construction Rails
OVERVIEW
| XT66 66 mm Optical Rail Accessories | ||
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Rails | Clamps and Angle Brackets | Breadboard Mounting |
 |  |  |
| Mounting Platforms | Rail Carriage | Rotation Slide Platform |
 |  |  |
| Rail Joiner | Lens Tube Adapter | Size Adapters |
Features
- 66 mm Optical Rails
- Stock Lengths Range from 100 mm to 1000 mm
- Dovetail Profile Enables Clamping to Optomechanical Assemblies or Other Rails
- Single and Double Dovetail Versions with Reduced Footprint
- Custom Rail Lengths Offered
Thorlabs' XT66 Optical Rails provide the building blocks necessary for constructing stable, rigid, three-dimensional mechanical assemblies. They consist of extruded lengths of aluminum with a dovetail mounting surface that allows rails to be joined to each other, breadboards, or other optomechanical assemblies. Objects are easily slid along this dovetail before being clamped down. The standard four-sided rails measure 66 mm to a side and are available from stock in lengths ranging from 100 - 1000 mm. Finished rails feature a durable, clear anodized coating.
The 66 mm rail series includes rails that have the dovetail on one, two, or four sides, as shown in the family image photos at the top of the page. The one- and two-sided rails minimize the setup's physical profile. Upon request, we can ship the four-sided rails in custom lengths from 50 mm to 1200 mm. The two- and four-sided rails are also offered in a raw extrusion length of 2 m (6.6').
Thorlabs offers an extensive selection of accessories for 66 mm rails, including clamps and angle brackets, breadboard mounts, mounting platforms, rail carriages, rotation slide platforms, rail joiners, and lens tube adapters. Together with size adapters that incorporate 34 mm and 95 mm rails into an XT66 setup, these tools provide a complete family of rigid, versatile building blocks suited for virtually any optomechanical setup.
APPLICATION IDEA
Application Idea: A Simple Periscope
The photographs to the left depict a simple periscope constructed using our 66 mm rail system. The two photos display the same setup from two different angles in order to clearly show how each part has been integrated. The labeled parts correspond to a row in the upper table, while the lower table shows the clamps and optical mounts used throughout the periscope.
Please note that lenses and mirrors, which are not shown in the tables below, would also be required.
| Label | Item # | Description | Product Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | XT66-500 | 66 mm Construction Rail, L = 500 mm |  |
| 2 | XT66D2 | 50 mm Long Slotted Dovetail with One Z-Axis Counterbored Slot |  |
| 3 | XT66D2-50 | 50 mm Long XT66 Platform with Three 1/4"-20 (M6) Counterbores |  |
| 4 | XT66RA2 | Right-Angle Clamp for 66 mm Rails |  |
| 5 | XT66DP-500 | 66 mm Double Dovetail Rail, L = 500 mm |  |
| 6 | XT66DE1 | 20 mm Long, 1/4"-20 Tapped Dovetail for 66 mm Rails |  |
| Additional Items | |||
| XT66C1 | 20 mm Long Double Dovetail Clamp for 66 mm Rails |  | |
| XT66C2 | 40 mm Long Double Dovetail Clamp for 66 mm Rails |  | |
| MA45-2 | 45° Mounting Adapter, Compatible with KM100 and KM200 |  | |
| KM100 | Ø1" Kinematic Mirror Mount |  | |
| LMR1 | Ø1" Lens Mount |  | |
XT66 66 mm Construction Rails
- Tapped with Four M3 Holes at the Corners on Both Sides for Mounting
- Ø55 mm Clear Aperture Through Rail
- Durable, Clear Anodized Coating
Our standard 66 mm Construction Rails have a dovetail mounting surface on all four sides for use in one-, two-, or three-dimensional constructions. Objects can be slid along the dovetail before being clamped into place. The rail ends are tapped with four M3 holes for mounting lens tube adapters, mounting plates, rail carriages, or rail joiners.
These rails are offered in five stock lengths: 100 mm, 200 mm, 500 mm, 750 mm, and 1000 mm. If our pre-cut lengths do not suit your application, custom lengths from 50 mm - 1200 mm can be ordered by either using the XE66-CUSTRAIL field in the price box below or contacting Technical Support.
These construction rails are also offered as a rough-cut, unanodized extrusion (see below) for our customers who prefer to machine and finish the rails themselves.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
XT66-100 |
66 mm Construction Rail, L = 100 mm |
$32.00 |
Today |
XT66-200 |
66 mm Construction Rail, L = 200 mm |
$42.00 |
Today |
XT66-500 |
66 mm Construction Rail, L = 500 mm |
$78.00 |
Today |
XT66-750 |
66 mm Construction Rail, L = 750 mm |
$82.00 |
Today |
XT66-1000 |
66 mm Construction Rail, L = 1000 mm |
$120.00 |
Today |
XT66-CUSTRAIL |
66 mm Custom Length Construction Rail, M3 Tapped, Clear Anodized |
$0.00 |
Lead Time |
XT66 66 mm Construction Rail, Raw Extrusion
- Unanodized Extrusion for Custom Applications
- 2 m (6.6') Length
- Rail Ends are Not Tapped
The XE66RL2 is an unanodized, rough-cut extrusion for customers who prefer to machine and finish their own rails. Their aluminum construction makes it easy to machine them in your own machine shop.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
XT66RL2 |
Raw, Unanodized 66 mm Rail Extrusion, 2 m |
$72.00 |
Today |
XT66 66 mm Single Dovetail Rail
- 66 mm Rail with Smallest Footprint for One-Dimensional Constructions
- Durable, Clear Anodized Finish
- Easily Modified for Custom Applications
The XT66SP's single dovetail design provides additional mounting flexibility when constructing optical rail systems. These rails are extremely compact and can be easily clamped to an optical table or breadboard using our popular table clamps, as shown to the right.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
XT66SP-500 |
66 mm Single Dovetail Rail, L = 500 mm |
$29.00 |
Today |
XT66SP-1000 |
66 mm Single Dovetail Rail, L = 1000 mm |
$58.00 |
Today |
XT66 66 mm Double Dovetail Rail
Click to Enlarge
Telescope on XT66DP Rail
- Versatile Double Dovetail Profile, Ideal for Coupling Two XT66 Rails
- Durable, Clear Anodized Finish
The XT66DP's double dovetail design allows two 66 mm rails to be coupled together using Double Dovetail Clamps. As shown at right, this feature allows aligned optical assemblies to be coupled to a base rail and moved as a complete sub-assembly.
These rails are also offered as a rough-cut, unanodized extrusion (see below) for our customers who prefer to machine and finish the rails themselves.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
XT66DP-500 |
66 mm Double Dovetail Rail, L = 500 mm |
$42.00 |
Today |
XT66DP-1000 |
66 mm Double Dovetail Rail, L = 1000 mm |
$84.00 |
Today |
XT66 66 mm Double Dovetail Rail, Raw Extrusion
- Unanodized Extrusion for Custom Applications
- 2 m (6.6') Length
The XT66DPRL2 is an unanodized, rough-cut double dovetail extrusion for customers who prefer to machine and finish their own rails. Their aluminum construction makes it easy to machine them in your own machine shop.
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
XT66DPRL2 |
Raw, Unanodized 66 mm Double Dovetail Rail Extrusion, 2 m |
$88.00 |
Today |