Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Rails / 34 mm Optical Rails / XT34 34 mm Optical Construction RailsXT34 34 mm Optical Construction Rails
- Stock Lengths up to 2000 mm for 4-Sided Rails
- 1-, 2-, or 4-Sided Rails
- Custom Lengths Available from 50 to 2000 mm
XT34DP-500
Double Dovetail
XT34SP-500
Single Dovetail
XT34-1000
Standard
34 mm Rail
XT34SD-250
Single Dovetail
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| XT34 34 mm Optical Rail Accessories | |||||||||
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| Rails | Rail Platform Positioners |
Clamps and Angle Brackets | Breadboard Mounting |
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| Size Adapters | Rail Joiners | Rail Carriers | Mounting Platforms |
Lens Tube Adapter |
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Features
- 34 mm Optical Rails
- Stock Lengths Range from 200 mm to 2000 mm
- Dovetail Profile Enables Clamping to Optomechanical Assemblies or Other Rails
- Single and Double Dovetail Versions with Reduced Footprint
- Custom Rail Lengths Offered
Thorlabs' XT34 Optical Rails provide the building blocks necessary for constructing stable, rigid, three-dimensional mechanical assemblies. They consist of extruded lengths of aluminum with a dovetail mounting surface that allows rails to be joined to each other, breadboards, or other optomechanical assemblies. Mounted objects can easily traverse the full length of these dovetails without interruption. The 34 mm rail series includes rails that have the dovetail on one, two, or four sides, as shown in the photos at the top of the page. These dovetail rails feature either a clear or a black anodized coating.
The standard four-sided clear anodized rails measure 34 mm to a side and are available from stock in lengths ranging from 200 to 1000 mm. Upon request, we can ship these rails in custom lengths from 50 mm to 2000 mm. The standard four-sided rails are also offered in a raw extrusion length of 2 m (6.6').
We offer two-sided rails with clear anodization in lengths of 100 or 500 mm from stock.
The single dovetail rails have a compact design that provides additional mounting flexibility when constructing optical rail systems. Thorlabs offers 500 mm and 1000 mm long rails with a durable clear anodized finish. They do not include counterbored holes for mounting or an engraved scale. We also offer one-sided rails that include counterbores for mounting to an optical table without the need for clamps. These counterbored rails have a black anodized finish and an engraved scale in 1 mm increments for precise and repeatable positioning along the length of the rail. They are available in lengths from 250 mm to 750 mm.
We also offer dovetail baseplates with an inner 34 mm dovetail, allowing 34 mm rail components to be integrated with our XRN25, XR25, and XR50 translation stages. Each baseplate features a 1/4” (M6) counterbored hole and 1/4” (M6) counterbored slots for mounting to an optical table. Baseplates compatible with our XR25 and XR50 translation stages feature an outer 3” dovetail, while baseplates compatible with our XRN25 stages feature an outer 2” dovetail.
Thorlabs offers a wide and growing complement of accessories for 34 mm rails, including clamps and angle brackets, breadboard mounts, rail carriers, mounting platforms, lens tube adapters, and rail joiners. Together with size adapters that incorporate 66 mm and 95 mm rails into an XT34 setup, these tools provide a complete family of rigid, versatile building blocks suited for virtually any optomechanical setup.
| Optical Rail Selection Guide | ||||||
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| 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: | |
pascal.wettstein
(posted 2016-05-26 12:47:39.363) Have you ever considered extruding the rails with holes in the four corners? Then the end user could cut the tube to the desired length and then either tap the hole or mount e.g. the adaptor / rail joiner with a self tapping screw. Anodizing (black) of the rail would also be great. besembeson
(posted 2016-05-26 04:00:52.0) Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: Thanks for your feedback. We will review this. patrick.berry
(posted 2015-08-13 15:08:42.923) You should offer the XT34 34 mm Single Dovetail Rail with slots in the middle for mounting directly to the table with 1/4"-20s. besembeson
(posted 2015-09-25 09:13:00.0) Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: Thanks for the feedback. We will review this option but in the meantime, the clamps are what we recommend: http://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=191 |
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- Tapped with Four M3 Holes at the Corners on Both Sides for Mounting
- Ø29 mm Clear Aperture Through Rail
- Durable, Clear Anodized Finish
Our standard 34 mm Construction Rails have a dovetail mounting surface on all four sides for use in one-, two-, or three-dimensional constructions. Objects can be slid along the dovetail before being clamped into place. The rail ends are tapped with four M3 holes for mounting lens tube adapters, mounting plates, or rail joiners.
These rails are offered in stock lengths of 200 mm, 500 mm, and 1000 mm. If our pre-cut lengths do not suit your application, custom lengths from 50 mm - 2000 mm can be ordered by using the XT34-CUSTRAIL field in the price box below or contacting Technical Support.
These are also offered as a rough-cut, unanodized extrusion (see XT34RL2 below) for our customers who prefer to machine and finish the rails themselves.
Zoom- Unanodized Extrusion for Custom Applications
- 2 m (6.6') Length
- Rail Ends Are Not Tapped
The XT34RL2 is an unanodized, rough-cut extrusion for customers who prefer to machine and finish their own rails. The rail’s unanodized aluminum construction enables easy custom machining.
Upon request, we can provide this extrusion in custom lengths up to 3.0 m (9.84'). Please contact Technical Support for a quote.
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- Versatile Double Dovetail Profile, Ideal for Coupling Two 34 mm Rails
- Durable, Clear Anodized Finish
- Easily Modified for Custom Applications
The XT34DP-500's double dovetail design allows two 34 mm construction rails to be coupled together using dovetail clamps. In particular, this enables optical assemblies to be coupled to a base rail and moved as a complete sub-assembly.
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- 34 mm Rail with Smallest Footprint for One-Dimensional Constructions
- XT34SP: Clear Anodized Finish
- XT34SD: Black Anodized Finish with Mounting Counterbores and Engraved Scale
The XT34SP-500 rail and XT34SD series of rails each have a compact, single dovetail design that provides additional mounting flexibility when constructing optical rail systems. The XT34SP-500 is
500 mm long and has a durable clear anodized finish. It does not include counterbored holes for mounting or an engraved scale. The XT34SP-500 can be easily mounted to an optical table using our compact table clamps.
The XT34SD series ranges from 250 mm to 750 mm in length and has a black anodized finish. These rails include 1 to 5 central 1/4" (M6) counterbored holes and 4 to 12 surrounding 1" long, 1/4" (M6) counterbored slots for direct mounting to an optical table with a metric or imperial hole pattern. A schematic diagram showing mounting hole locations can be downloaded by clicking on the red icon to the left of each part number below. When our SH25LP38 Low-Profile Cap Screws are used, as shown in the image to the far right, full uninterrupted travel along the length of the rails is possible. A scale with 1 mm increments is engraved along the length of each XT34SD rail for precise and repeatable positioning.
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Click to Enlarge
When mounted on the XRN25DR2 extended baseplate, the XRN25C stage's translation axis is perpendicular to the adjustment axis of the baseplate.
- Single 34 mm Dovetail for Compatibility with 34 mm Rail Accessories
- Single 2" Wide Dovetail for Compatibility with XRN25 Translation Stages
- Engraved Scale with 1 mm Increments for Precise and Repeatable Positioning
- Counterbored Mounting Slots Compatible with Imperial and Metric Breadboards
These baseplates feature a central rail for use with our 34 mm construction accessories. Additionally, the outer edges of the rail create a 2” dovetail, which is compatible with our XRN25 translation stages.
A mounted component can be translated across the entire length of the baseplate. The XRN25DR2, XRN25DR, and XRN25DR3 come in lengths of 150 mm, 250 mm, and 500 mm, respectively. For XRN25 stages, travel along the rail would be in the direction orthogonal to the stage's translation axis.
The baseplates feature 1" long 1/4" (M6) counterbored mounting slots and a central 1/4" (M6) counterbored mounting hole that allow the rail to be used with both imperial and metric breadboard hole patterns. Standard cap screws can be used with this baseplate without interrupting the translation of mounted components.
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Click to Enlarge
XR25DR Holding 34 mm Rail Clamp with Post and Mirror Mount
Note: Mirror Not Included in Product Lists
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When mounted on the XR25DR extended baseplate, the XR25C stage's translation axis is perpendicular to the adjustment axis of the baseplate.
- Single 34 mm Dovetail for Compatibility with 34 mm Rail Accessories
- Single 3" Wide Dovetail for Compatibility with XR25 and XR50 Translation Stages
- Engraved Scale with 1 mm Increments for Precise and Repeatable Positioning
- Counterbored Mounting Slots Compatible with Imperial and Metric Breadboards
These baseplates feature a central rail for use with our 34 mm construction accessories. Additionally, the outer edges of the rail create a 3” dovetail, which is compatible with our XR25 and XR50 translation stages.
A mounted component can be translated across the entire length of the baseplate. The XR25DR2, XR25DR, and XR25DR3 are offered in lengths of 150 mm, 250 mm, and 500 mm, respectively. For XR25 and XR50 stages, travel along the rail would be in the direction orthogonal to the stage's translation axis.
The baseplates feature 1" long 1/4" (M6) counterbored mounting slots and a central 1/4" (M6) counterbored mounting hole that allow the rail to be used with both imperial and metric breadboard hole patterns. Standard cap screws can be used with this baseplate without interrupting the translation of mounted components.
34 mm Optical Rails