Dovetail Optical Rails

Overview
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RLA Dovetail Rail Accessories

Rails	Rail Carriers	Rail Carrier Positioners	Mounting	Cage Mounting

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View Imperial Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
Imperial Product List
RC1	1	Dovetail Rail Carrier, 1.00" x 1.00" (25.4 mm x 25.4 mm), 1/4" (M6) Counterbore
RC3	1	Rail Carrier, Perpendicular Dovetail
DT12	1	1/2" Dovetail Translation Stage, 8-32 Taps
RLA1800	1	Dovetail Optical Rail, 18", Imperial
SD1	1	1/4" (M6) Counterbore Adapter Ring for 8-32 (M4) Screws, 10 Pack

View Metric Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
Metric Product List
RC1	1	Dovetail Rail Carrier, 1.00" x 1.00" (25.4 mm x 25.4 mm), 1/4" (M6) Counterbore
RC3	1	Rail Carrier, Perpendicular Dovetail
DT12/M	1	12.7 mm Dovetail Translation Stage, M4 Taps
RLA450/M	1	Dovetail Optical Rail, 450 mm, Metric
SD1	1	1/4" (M6) Counterbore Adapter Ring for 8-32 (M4) Screws, 10 Pack

RC1 and RC3 rail carriers and a DT12 miniature dovetail stage mounted on a dovetail rail.

Features

Dovetail Design Accommodates Our Snap-On Rail Carriers
Compact Profile: 0.38" x 0.75" (9.5 mm x 19.1 mm)
Stock Lengths Range from 3" to 24" (Metric Lengths: 75 - 600 mm)
Laser-Engraved Scale for Precise Construction
Ends 8-32 (M4) Tapped

Thorlabs' RLA Optical Rails are our smallest option for building stable, rigid mechanical assemblies. They consist of extruded lengths of aluminum with a dovetail mounting surface that accommodates our snap-on rail carriers. Objects are easily slid along this dovetail before being secured. These rails measure only 0.75" (19.1 mm) wide and are available from stock in lengths ranging from 3" - 24" (metric lengths: 75 - 600 mm).

These dovetail rails offer numerous 1/4" (M6) counterbored holes for mounting flexibility. The end of each rail is 8-32 (M4) tapped for vertical mounting. Rails 12" (300 mm) and longer offer mounting slots to provide additional mounting options. As shown in the image at the top of the page, the rails are laser engraved with graduations every 1.0 mm and labels every 10.0 mm for precise placement of optomechanical hardware.

Thorlabs' product family for RLA dovetail rails includes our snap-on carriers as well as mounting accessories. Together with spacer sets and table clamps that allow the rails to be mounted both horizontally and vertically, these tools provide a complete family of rigid, versatile buliding blocks suited for virtually any optomechanical setup.

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

Posted Comments:

Drew Shields (posted 2020-10-18 01:56:34.857)

Hi, I am wondering about using three of these rails to make a large (450mm square) x/y measuring grid. So I'd have two parallel rails for one axis, and a third rail, attached on each end to a rail carrier, sliding along those for the other axis. My question is if you anticipate this working well, sliding without resistance, and overall easy to use. Also wondering if others have tried this in the past.

c (posted 2015-02-11 10:21:47.5)

Do you have any advice for mounting the rail straight onto an optical table? That is to match the axis of the rail with the line of holes of the optical table since there is a little play in the orientation as you screw the rail onto the table.

cdaly (posted 2015-02-12 02:01:28.0)

Response from Chris at Thorlabs: There's no specified way to ensure it is aligned, but what I have found is useful when using these is to put a screw through a mounting hole at either end and thread them down into the table somewhat, deep enough that the head of the screw is in the counterbore but loose enough that the rail is still able to move about with the small amount of play that exists. Then you can apply a small pressure to one side of the rail so that the rail is in contact with both screws. Tighten them down while doing this and this should help aligned the rail parallel to the grid of holes, or at least more so than just mounting it to the table without doing so.

LNicoletti (posted 2014-04-14 18:29:36.723)

Good morning, I have a question on product RLA600/M. is it possible to attach two of them in order to make a 1200mm length? thank you in advance Luisa Nicoletti

jlow (posted 2014-04-17 10:43:59.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: We do not currently have a rail joiner for this. There are tapped holes on both ends of this and there's not really a good way to ensure good alignment when two rails tighten against each other. You can bolt one piece to the table and then adjust the position of the 2nd one until a rail carrier slides somewhat smoothly between the two. We can also offer the rails in longer lengths but without features like slots, holes, and anodization.

gyg2101 (posted 2013-09-04 11:01:06.24)

Hi, I would like to automate a system based on your dovetail rails. Is there any way to "motorize" the rail carriers? I would need a couple of inches of computer-controlled motion. guy

jlow (posted 2013-09-10 15:32:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Unfortunately we do not have an easy way to motorized the dovetail optical rail carrier at this moment. You could possibly put a motorized stage on top of the rail, but that better on the 66mm rail than the RLA dovetail rails. I will get in contact with you directly to discuss about your application.

tcohen (posted 2012-02-22 17:15:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs to Jiabin: Thank you for your interest in our dovetail optical rails. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to provide longer lengths than 600mm for this series. As an alternative, we are able to offer the XE25-CUSTRAIL/M up to 2000mm. We have contacted you with more information.

jiabin.tuo (posted 2012-02-20 11:54:52.0)

I would like to buy a Dovetail Optical Rail for my test, I am wondering can I custom the length to 2000mm? Thank you for your time. Regards, Jiabin