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Post Mounts for Cage Systems![]()
C1060 60 mm Cage CPMA2 30 mm Cage System Application Idea 60 mm Cage System CP02B 30 mm Cage System Related Items ![]() Please Wait Features
Thorlabs' cage supports allow our cage systems to be post-mounted. We offer supports to mount 16 mm cage systems on our Mini-Series Posts, as well as adapters to mount our 30 mm or 60 mm cage systems to our Ø1/2", Ø1" (25 mm), or Ø1.5" posts. For additional information on our cage systems, please refer to the Cage Overview tab. We also offer the CRA30(/M) 30 mm cage rotation adapter that is compatible with our Precision Rotation Stage. Mounting Brackets Post-Clamp Mounts Cage System OverviewThe Cage Assembly System provides a convenient way to construct large optomechanical systems with an established line of precision-machined building blocks designed for high flexibility and accurate alignment. 16 mm, 30 mm, and 60 mm Cage System StandardsThorlabs offers three standards defined by the center-to-center spacing of the cage assembly rods (see image below). The 16 mm cage, 30 mm cage, and 60 mm cage standards are designed to accomodate Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" optics, respectively. Specialized cage plates that allow smaller optics to be directly inserted into our larger cage systems are also available. Standard ThreadsThe flexibility of our Cage Assembly System stems from well-defined mounting and thread standards designed to directly interface with a wide range of specialized products. The three most prevalent thread standards are our SM05 Series (0.535"-40 thread), SM1 Series (1.035"-40 thread), and SM2 Series (2.035"-40 thread), all of which were defined to house the industry's most common optic sizes. Essential building blocks, such as our popular lens tubes, directly interface to these standards. ![]() An example of the standard cage plate measurements determining cage system compatibility.
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The SMB1 provides a compact mounting option when working with our compact cage system. The slim, low-profile design is ideal for incorporating 16 mm Cage Systems into an optomechanical assembly. Please note that this bracket cannot be used directly below an SM05 lens tube. ![]()
The CP02B provides a compact mounting option for incorporating 30 mm Cage Systems into optomechanical assemblies. Three #8 (M4) counterbored mounting holes allow this adapter to be used with our standard post and post holders in addition to OEM applications, which require secure mounting into a larger system (post and post holder not included). ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge 60 mm Cage System with SM02 Lens Tube Mounted on a Ø1/2" Post Post Using an LCP01B Adapter
The LCP01B allows 60 mm Cage Systems to be incorporated into other optomechanical assemblies. This cage plate adapter has a flexure cut design for increased stability. It has two Ø0.24" (Ø6.0 mm) through holes with cap screws that clamp the flexure locks onto the Ø6.0 mm ER Rods (not included). It has three #8 (M4) counterbored holes for post mounting and has been specially designed to provide clearance for SM2 Lens Tubes as shown in the photo on the right. ![]()
These cage mounting brackets provide users with a snap-on solution for adding support posts to assembled 30 mm Cage Systems. The flexure-based design can be quickly snapped onto an open section of two Ø6.0 mm Cage Rods (not included), allowing for easy installation or removal without requiring the disassembly of a cage system. Slide the brackets into the appropriate position and lock into position using the included 0.050" hex key. The slotted post-mounting feature of the brackets allows the cage rods to be installed off the axis of the post (see above for adjustment ranges). Two options are available for post mounting. The CPMA1 features a slotted #8 (M4) counterbore that allows for mounting of the adapter using an 8-32 (M4) capscrew (included). This is useful for supporting 30 mm cage systems using fixed posts, such as our Ø1" (25.0 mm) posts with 8-32 (M4) taps, as the cage system can be rotated and then fixed to the post at any arbitrary angle. Alternatively, the CPMA2(/M) offers a captive 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) nut in a slot for mounting to Ø1/2" posts in Ø1/2" post holders. ![]()
These cage mounting brackets provide users with a snap-on solution for adding support posts to assembled 60 mm Cage Systems. The flexure-based design can be quickly snapped onto an open section of two Ø6.0 mm Cage Rods (not included), allowing for easy installation or removal without requiring the disassembly of a cage system. Slide the brackets into the appropriate position and lock into position using the included 0.050" hex key. The slotted post-mounting feature of the brackets allows the cage rods to be installed off the axis of the post (see above for adjustment ranges). Two options are available for post mounting. The LCPMA1 features a slotted #8 (M4) counterbore that allows for mounting of the adapter using an 8-32 (M4) capscrew (included). This is useful for supporting 60 mm cage systems using fixed posts, such as our Ø1" (25.0 mm) posts with 8-32 (M4) taps, as the cage system can be rotated and then fixed to the post at any arbitrary angle. Alternatively, the LCPMA2(/M) offers a captive 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) nut in a slot for mounting to Ø1/2" posts in Ø1/2" post holders. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge 60 mm Cage System Mounted on a Ø1" Post Using a C1060 Clamp
The C1026(/M) and C1060(/M) Cage System Clamps for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Posts are designed to support 30 mm and 60 mm cage systems, respectively. Two parallel cage rods can be placed in the clamp and locked in place with a single screw. In this way, complete cage system sections can be supported by a single post. The clamp itself can be secured to a Ø1" (Ø25 mm) post by tightening the highly stable flexure lock mechanism with a 3/16" (5 mm) balldriver. The C15QR(/M) handle can replace the 1/4"-20 (M6) clamping screw for better control when adjusting the clamps, as shown in the image to the right. Note that the C10QR(/M) handle is not compatible with these clamps. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge 30 mm Cage System Mounted on a Ø1.5" Post Using a CH1530 Clamp
The CH1530(/M) and CH1560(/M) Cage Clamps allow 30 mm or 60 mm cage systems, respectively, to be mounted horizontally to our Ø1.5" Posts. The quick-connect mechanism allows for drop-in/drop-out mounting of a cage segment; to secure the cage segment, tighten the hex cap screw on the cage clamping mechanism using a 9/64" (3 mm) hex key or balldriver. Each cage clamp includes a C15QR(/M) Quick-Release Handle for mounting to a Ø1.5" post; additional quick-release handles can be purchased separately below. For low-profile applications, the handle can be removed and replaced with a 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw at least 1/2" (12 mm) long. The application to the right shows the CH1530 supporting a cage system composed of 4 ER6 cage rods, an SM1Z Z-Axis Translation Mount, and a CP33T cage plate. This system can be used as a telescope to expand or contract the beam diameter using lenses of appropriate focal length placed in the Z-axis mount and cage plate. ![]()
The CV1530(/M) Cage Clamp allows a 30 mm cage system to be mounted vertically to our Ø1.5" Posts. The quick-connect mechanism allows for drop-in/drop-out mounting of a cage segment; to secure the cage segment, tighten the cap screw on the cage clamping mechanism using a 9/64" (3 mm) hex key or balldriver. Each cage clamp includes a C15QR(/M) Quick-Release Handle for mounting to a Ø1.5" post; additional quick-release handles can be purchased separately below. For low-profile applications, the handle can be removed and replaced with a 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw at least 1/2" (12 mm) long. The vertical cage clamp can be converted to a horizontal cage clamp. To do so, unscrew the four cap screws on either side of the cage clamps using a 9/64" (3 mm) balldriver or hex key, turn the front plate 90°, and replace the cap screws. Custom CV1530(/M) Clamp Mounts can be ordered for 16 and 60 mm cage system compatibility. Please contact Tech Support for more information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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