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Clamps and Angle Brackets for 66 mm Rails![]()
XT66RA1 XT66C1 XT66RP1 XT66P2 XT66RD XT66CC ![]() Please Wait Features
Thorlabs' clamps and brackets for 66 mm rails are fundamental building blocks of two- and three-dimensional rail constructions. Clamps Brackets Platforms Thorlabs offers an extensive selection of accessories for 66 mm rails, including clamps and angle brackets, breadboard mounts, mounting platforms, rail carriages, rail platform positioners, 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: A Simple PeriscopeThe 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.
![]() Click to Enlarge XT66RP1 Packaging
Smart Pack
Thorlabs' Smart Pack Initiative is aimed at waste minimization while still maintaining adequate protection for our products. By eliminating any unnecessary packaging, implementing packaging design changes, and utilizing eco-friendly packaging materials for our customers when possible, this initiative seeks to improve the environmental impact of our product packaging. Products listed above are now shipped in re-engineered packaging that minimizes the weight and the use of non-recyclable materials.b As we move through our product line, we will indicate re-engineered packages with our Smart Pack logo.
![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge XT66C1 Clamps Hold Long Rail Segments in Parallel ![]() Click to Enlarge Schematic of Rails in Parallel
Thorlabs' Double Dovetail Clamps for 66 mm Rails securely join XT66 rails and components in a parallel orientation. They are available in two lengths: 20 mm and 40 mm. Using two XT66C1 clamps as a pair, as shown to the right, prevents torsional strains and keeps two rails parallel over the entire length spanned by the clamps. If a single-clamp solution is preferred, then we recommend the XT66C2, which provides additional surface contact. The XT66C2 is also perfectly sized to attach to our XT66D2-40 Dovetail Mounting Platform. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge XT66CC Holding Two 66 mm Rails at a Right Angle
The XT66CC Cross Clamp fastens two rails or accessories together at a 90° angle and closes using a single screw, making it easy to adjust and reposition. The clamping surfaces on the top and bottom are 20 mm long. In order to orient two rails such that they are not orthogonal, please consider the XT66RD Double Dovetail Rotation Clamp shown below. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge XT66CB Holding Two 66 mm Rails at a Right Angle
The XT66CB Cross Bracket creates a 90° intersection between two 66 mm rails and is typically used with dovetail clamps. It is ideal for situations where an XT66CC Cross Clamp is not available or desired. The dovetails on this bracket are 60 mm (2.36") long. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge Standard 66 mm Rail Mounted Vertically from a Base Rail ![]() Click to Enlarge Double Dovetail Rail Mounted Vertically from a Base Rail
The XT66RA1 Right-Angle Clamp is a heavy-duty clamp that securely holds two rails together and is well suited for building three-dimensional rail constructions. Its long diagonal helps to brace a 90° rail intersection, and the two-screw clamping mechanism provides a high degree of surface contact. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge Right-Angle Connection Using Double Dovetail Clamps
The XT66RA2 Right-Angle Bracket features three dovetails that can be used simultaneously. It contains two dovetails oriented at 90° for mounting rails horizontally or vertically, and a third dovetail is built into the diagonal brace. This third dovetail, oriented at 45°, both rotates the mounted rail and enables three-dimensional constructions from a single joint. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge 90° Intersection Between a Rail Side and Rail End
The XT66P2(/M) Rail Carriage contains four counterbored holes at the corners, positioned such that the carriage can fasten to the end of a standard 66 mm rail by using four M3 cap screws (not included). In this orientation, the swinging clamping arm, which tightens using a side-mounted 9/64" (M3) locking screw, is free to secure another 66 mm rail at a right angle. The arm provides ample clearance to lift the rail off when the locking screw is loosened. Alternatively, this rail carriage can be fastened directly to a rail side to provide a mounting surface for optomechanics. The XT66P2(/M) contains a closely packed array of six 1/4"-20, four 8-32, and seven 6-32 tapped holes (six M6 and eleven M4 taps in the metric version), along with a centered 1/4" (M6) counterbore. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge Rotate Components within a Plane Parallel to a Rail Side
The XT66RC Counterbored Pivot Platform consists of a removable dovetailed disk with a radially symmetric outer profile and a 40 mm long clamp. Our Double Dovetail Clamps, sold separately, can be directly fastened to this disk at an arbitrary angle and used to continuously rotate an attached rail through a full 360°. The XT66RD Double Dovetail Rotation Clamp shown immediately below is identical to this part, but includes an additional 40 mm clamp for attaching parts to the top. Alternatively, the rotatable counterbored slot allows 1/4"-20 or M6-compatible optomechanics to be attached using our Low-Profile Channel Screws or Low-Profile T-Nuts, which are sold here. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge Two 66 mm Rails at an Arbitrary Angle
The XT66RD Double Dovetail Rotation Clamp includes all the parts needed to continuously rotate one rail with respect to another through a full 360°. Rotation is provided by a removable dovetailed disk with a radially symmetric outer profile. It is identical to the XT66RC Counterbored Pivot Platform shown immediately above, except that it includes two 40 mm long clamps instead of one. In contrast to these options, the XT66CC Cross Clamp pictured above rotates rails by a fixed 90° and uses 20 mm long clamps. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge Two 66 mm Rails at a 45° Angle
The XT66RP1 Rotation Slide Platform provides a 5" (127 mm) long mounting surface that can be rotated by up to ±45° from the axis defined by the base rail. It clamps to a 66 mm rail using two rear-mounted locking screws. The laser-engraved scale features 1° graduations and allows mounted rails to be precisely and repeatably rotated. Although the platform cannot be locked in place, it features a friction-fit design that helps to prevent accidental movement or deviations from the desired angle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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