Unanodized Solid Aluminum Optical Breadboards

Features

• Precision Manufactured Unanodized Surface
• Electrically Conductive for Applications Requiring a Common Ground
• Standard Imperial and Metric Breadboard Hole Patterns
• Offset Counterbored Mounting Holes Allow a Full, Uninterrupted, Threaded Hole Matrix
• Larger Breadboards [MB1218U (MB3045U/M) and Larger] Have a Fifth Center-Located
  Counterbore Mounting Hole
• Double-Density, High-Density Versions, and Custom Sizes Available
• All Boards Stocked for Quick Delivery

These solid aluminum, unanodized, nonmagnetic breadboards provide a convenient and cost-effective platform for those wishing to modify a breadboard to suit a specific prototype or experimental need. They are finished with a precision-ground surface and are through-drilled with a standard 1" (imperial) or 25 mm (metric) hole pattern offset 1/2" or 12.5 mm from the edges of the board, respectively. Each breadboard is constructed from 5083 aluminum that has never been anodized for ease of customization. Although the aluminum oxide coating traditionally applied to breadboards minimizes reflectance, it also increases the hardness of the end product, making anodized breadboards more difficult to machine. 

Each breadboard features four or five mounting holes, which are counterbored to create an uninterrupted surface for your application. The four standard mounting holes are located at each corner of the breadboard, inset 1" from each edge on imperial breadboards (25 mm on metric). The three largest imperial and metric boards (MB1218U, MB1224U, MB1824U, MB3045U/M, MB3060U/M, and MB4560U/M) have a fifth counterbored mounting hole in the center. Utilizing the center mounting hole increases the mounting options available, reduces stress at the corner mounting holes, and increases rigidity when heavy loads are placed on the boards. The mounting holes may be used to attach the breadboards to optical tables, other breadboards, mounting posts, brackets, or a variety of other surfaces or mounts.

Because the holes are threaded completely through these breadboards, components can be mounted on either side of the breadboards. Ø1.5" Mounting Posts allow for adjustments to the height of the optical axis by mounting the breadboards above the surface of an optical tabletop (or another breadboard). The breadboards can also be mounted vertically using 90° or Vertical Mounting Brackets.

Custom Breadboards

In addition to facilitating customized hole patterns and modifications, the lack of an anodized coating on these breadboards also allows them to be used within a vacuum environment down to 10^-6 Torr. Prior to use in a vacuum system, these breadboards will require additional treatment and cleaning. For additional information on preparing these breadboards for vacuum applications, please contact Tech Support.

For other vacuum-compatible options, we offer Passivated Stainless Steel Breadboards, which are stiffer at an equivalent thickness. Black Anodized Aluminum Breadboards are also available in a variety of sizes. The black anodized coating on these breadboards is ideal for limiting stray reflections in an optical system. 

Custom Breadboards
We offer a service for custom breadboard orders, with options that include hole pattern and spacing, size, thickness, and anodizing. For a quote, please fill out our custom breadboards form.