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Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Rails / 25 mm Optical Rails / 25 mm Optical Construction Rails25 mm Optical Construction Rails
- Build Enclosures and Other Rigid Mechanical Assemblies
- Stock Lengths: 9" - 48" and 225 mm - 1200 mm
- Custom Lengths and Raw Extrusions Available
Metric Indicator
by Tapped Hole
(One Side Only)
XE25L500/M
Black Anodized,
0.5 m Long, M6 Taps
XE25RL2
Raw Aluminum,
2 m Long, No Taps
Alignment Hole
(4 Places)
Channel Accepts
T-Nuts, Rail Joiners,
or Enclosure Panels
1/4"-20 (M6) Tap
(Both Ends)
XE25 Series Rail
25.0 mm
25.0 mm
Please Wait
| XE25 25 mm Construction Rail Accessories | ||||
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| Rails | Cubes and Brackets |
Breadboard Mounting |
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| Rail Joiners | Channel Insert | Construction Tools |
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| T-Nuts and Screws |
Enclosures | Enclosure Accessories |
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Features
- 25 mm Square Construction Rails
- Stock Lengths Range from 9" to 48" (Metric Lengths: 225 - 1200 mm)
- Rail Channels Accommodate Mechanical Components
- Custom Rail Lengths and Raw Extrusions Available
With a 25 mm x 25 mm profile, Thorlabs' XE25 Construction Rails are our most compact and lightweight option for building three-dimensional mechanical structures. They consist of extruded lengths of aluminum that feature channels on all four sides, as shown in the image at the top of the page. These channels make the rails mechanically compatible with other optomechanical components. For instance, by inserting T-Nuts into the channels, any 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) optomechanical component can be fastened to the rail sides. The channels are also perfectly sized to hold enclosure panels made of black hardboard or plexiglass, as is done with our optical enclosures.
Our 25 mm rails are offered in pre-cut lengths from 9" to 48" (225 to 1200 mm) and are finished with a durable, black anodized coating. The centered 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped hole on both ends allows the rail to be mounted directly to a breadboard or optical table. Upon request, we can provide these anodized rails in custom lengths from 2.5" to 79" (50 to 2000 mm), or we can provide the raw rail extrusion in lengths up to 3 m (9.8'). For material properties including mass per meter, cross-sectional area, and second moment of area, please refer to the Engineering Specs tab.
Thorlabs' accessories for assemblies made of 25 mm rails include corner cubes and brackets, T-nuts, low-profile channel screws, breadboard mounting accessories, rail joiners, and a channel insert. In addition, we offer optical enclosures, enclosure accessories, and "do-it-yourself" tools like taps, tap guides, and drill guides for home-built XE25-based constructions.
| Optical Rail Selection Guide | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 mm Dovetail | 25 mm Square | 34 mm Square & Dovetail | 50 mm Square & Rectangular | 66 mm Square & Dovetail | 75 mm Square & Rectangular | 95 mm Square & Dovetail |
| Physical Properties of 25, 50, & 75 mm Rails | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rail Size | 25 mm x 25 mm | 50 mm x 50 mm | 50 mm x 75 mm | 75 mm x 75 mm | |
| Rail Cross Section |  |
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| Mass/Length | 0.811 kg/m | 2.227 kg/m | 2.959 kg/m | 3.690 kg/m | |
| Cross-Sectional Area | 3.13 cm2 | 8.25 cm2 | 10.96 cm2 | 13.67 cm2 | |
| Second Moment of Areaa |
X-Axis | 1.68 cm4 | 23.9 cm4 | 33.9 cm4 | 96.4 cm4 |
| Y-Axis | 1.68 cm4 | 24.2 cm4 | 70.0 cm4 | 97.1 cm4 | |
| Aluminum Alloy | 6000 Series | 6063-T6 | |||
| Posted Comments: | |
hbabcock
(posted 2017-05-30 09:36:14.72) Could you also sell rubber caps to protect the ends of these rails? This request is somewhat similar to your XE25C, except that this would be press on and would maybe extend 1/2" or so down the side of the rail. tfrisch
(posted 2017-06-22 08:56:58.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. While we do not have a press on cap, our breadboard feet may be suitable for your application. I will reach out to you directly to discuss them:
https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_ID=1867 tcohen
(posted 2012-05-14 17:22:00.0) Response from Tim at Thorlabs: When adding the 25mm customized rail (XE25-CUSTRAIL) to your shopping cart, you are able to view the price and lead time. Currently, a typical lead time is approximately 3-4 weeks. hwei
(posted 2012-05-14 16:16:20.0) May I know when the 25mm Customized Rail will be available? Thanks. tcohen
(posted 2012-03-02 17:49:00.0) Response from Tim at Thorlabs to Andrew: Thank you for your feedback! I am discussing the introduction of a T-nut with a spring-loaded ball with our design team. We are always interested in customer feedback as inspiration for new products and we appreciate you contacting us with your idea. andrew_yablon
(posted 2012-03-01 16:40:43.0) I found product number 47065T226 from McMaster-Carr to be the best slide in T-nut because (1) it is 1/4-20 threaded; (2) it slides into the Thorlabs XE25 construction rails easily; and most importantly (3) it comes with a spring-loaded ball that holds the T-nut in place when the XE25 rail is vertical. Can Thorlabs introduce a (cheaper?) XE25 compatible T-nut that contains a spring-loaded ball like McMaster-Carr's part number 47065T226?
Thanks,
Andrew Yablon
andrew_yablon@interfiberanalysis.com Thorlabs
(posted 2011-01-17 14:34:04.0) Response from Javier at Thorlabs to jeffrey.hendrixson: thank you very much for submitting your inquiry. If the connection between all the components is collinear, you can simply use 1/4"-20 setscrews; a 1" long setscrew at each junction would suffice. If the P14 posts are to be mounted perpendicularly with respect to the XE25L18, then you could use 1/4"-20 setscrews along with two XE25T1 T-nuts (one for each connection). jeffrey.hendrixson
(posted 2011-01-15 07:50:47.0) Do you make a product that would allow the XE25L18 connect between two P14 1.5" mounting posts? Tyler
(posted 2008-06-06 12:43:22.0) A response from Tyler at Thorlabs to Michael: I will have an application engineer send you a quote for 10 9" long rails. For a much faster response, we have a part number "XE25-CUSTRAIL" listed at the bottom of all the fixed rails in our price box. You simply need to put in a quantity and a length and it will generate a price on the spot. You can then buy the custom rails online or remove them from the basket and continue browsing. michael.smith
(posted 2008-06-06 12:09:04.0) I am interested in pricing information for the custom rail lengths. Is there a minimum order number? Im thinking of ordering something like 10 9" long rails. |
Zoom
- Black Anodized Finish
- 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Tapped Holes on Both Ends
- Custom Lengths Available
Our 25 mm rails have rail channels on all four sides for use in one-, two-, or three-dimensional constructions. These channels feature 6.5 mm openings and accept T-Nuts, rail joiners, and enclosure panels. Each rail end is tapped with a 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) hole for compatibility with standard optomechanics.
The pre-cut rails are offered from stock in lengths ranging from 9" to 48" (225 mm to 1200 mm), with a tolerance of ±0.006" (±150 µm). If our pre-cut lengths do not suit your application, custom lengths from 2.5" - 79" (50 mm - 2000 mm) can be ordered by using the XE25-CUSTRAIL(/M) field in the price box below or contacting Technical Support.
As shown in the family image at the top of the page, metric rails are denoted by a small hole on one side of the extrusion, next to the M6 tapped hole.
Zoom- Unanodized Extrusion for Custom Applications
- 2 m (6.6') Length
- Center Hole is Not Tapped
The XE25RL2 is an unanodized, rough-cut extrusion for customers who prefer to machine and finish their own rails. The center hole of the extrusion can be 1/4"-20 or M6 tapped without additional machining. Its aluminum construction makes it easy to machine in your own machine shop.
Upon request, we can supply this extrusion in lengths up to 3 m (9.8'). Please contact Technical Support for a quote.
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