Microscope Objective Turret, SM1 Compatible

Objective Lens Turret with 4 RMS-Threaded Mounting Ports
RMS-Threaded Objective and Turret Caps
Externally SM1-Threaded Mounting Interface

OT1

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OT1

Back View

Application Idea

OT1 Lens Turret with
4 Microscope Objectives

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Overview
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The OT1 is an SM1-compatible compact objective lens turret with four RMS-threaded ports. The housing is primarily constructed of aluminum but has steel inserts at critical points to ensure the durability and precision of the detent mechanism that reproducibly positions the objective lenses with a bi-directional repeatability of ±2.5 µm. The mounting interface for the OT1 objective lens turret has external SM1 (1.035"-40) threading so that it can be easily integrated into custom imaging systems built using Thorlabs' Lens Tube and Cage Systems. To mount the OT1 turret in a cage system, use a CP33(/M) for a 30 mm cage system or an LCP33(/M) for a 60 mm cage system. The OT1 is designed to securely hold objectives in either horizontal or vertical orientations.

The RMSCP1 and RMSCP2 are caps designed to protect unused lens turret ports, microscope objectives, and other RMS (0.800"-36) threaded components. The RMSCP2 features external RMS threading for the lens ports of the OT1, while the RMSCP1 features internal RMS threading for microscope objectives.

Additionally, we offer a Post-Mountable Focus Block that includes a built-in five-objective turret.

Posted Comments:

Cory Cress (posted 2025-01-22 10:32:48.213)

I have a 4x, 10x, 20x, and 60x objective mounted in the OT1 and I have not had much success in getting their focal points to be at the same point. Currently, the 60x and 20x objectives are within a few microns, but the 4x and 10x are way off and correcting them will throw off the alignment for the other 2. Do you have a procedure for this process? Should I get the 4x and 10x aligned first, then move on to the 20x and 60x?

user (posted 2024-05-17 09:02:58.523)

Dear. please provide information how to make this stable as possible. I would use this in my transmission microscope and also measuring confocally so I can switch between objectives. And how they can be mounted, it is not possible to mount them on the side with post and potholder or something similar. Or you would suggest it would be best to use a lens tube or cage system. Asking mostly about practical solution with most stability. Thank you, Best regards

spolineni (posted 2024-05-23 06:25:41.0)

Thank you for your inquiry. I'll reach out personally to discuss your specific needs and aid with mounting solutions for optimal stability and performance.

Fahrettin SARCAN (posted 2023-04-24 15:25:36.707)

Hi, I use OT1 in my micro PL-Raman system (home-built with Thorlabs products). I am happy with Thorlabs products except for OT1. It is shaking. When I changed the magnifier from 10 to 20 or 50X the center is changing. You need to shake it to find the exact position, and you can find it if you are lucky. Please give me feedback on how am I going to make it tighten. Best Regards Fahrettin Sarcan, Associate Professor Istanbul University, Faculty of Science Department of Physics, Vezneciler 34314 Istanbul, TURKEY URL: https://nano-optoelectronics.istanbul.edu.tr/en/_ Phone:+902124555700 / 15245 (Lab) Mobile: +90 5446628359

do'neill (posted 2023-04-24 06:53:47.0)

Response from Daniel at Thorlabs. Thank you for feedback. I will reach out to you directly to discuss this with you.

SAGAR CHOWDHURY (posted 2022-05-05 04:21:50.683)

Do you have any microscope objective turret with RMS threaded mounting interface? Or else we can use an adapter with RMS external thread and SM1 internal thread like this: SM1BC, but we need to have long external RMS threading to make it eligible to handle the weight of turret with multiples objective. Please let me know if you have any alternative options?

jdelia (posted 2022-05-11 03:55:18.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We unfortunately do not have any alternative options, so an SM1-RMS adapter such as SM1BC would be needed in order to interface this part with internal RMS threads.

useinov (posted 2018-02-22 09:53:38.673)

How can I make sure that OT1 is compatible with Mitutoyo components VMU-V (Mitutoyo product code 378-505) and Mitutoyo objectives M APO 5x (378-802-6), 10x (378-803-3), 20x (378-804-3) and 50x (378-814-4)

bhallewell (posted 2018-02-27 10:14:41.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: The OT1 is compatible with RMS-Threaded (0.800"-36) Objective Lens Ports. We have a range of adapters in the following link however for larger threads, the adapter may foul with the OT1 body itself. https://www.thorlabs.com/navigation.cfm?guide_id=2327

ryan.scott (posted 2017-06-13 11:07:42.75)

This product would be very useful if it came in an female SM1 version so that it can be adapted for using long working distance objectives with M26 x 0.706 threads.

awebber-date (posted 2017-06-14 11:42:09.0)

Response from Alex at Thorlabs: Thank you for the feedback. We are always looking for new product ideas so it is greatly appreciated. I will follow up with our engineers since there is clearly a demand for this product.

k.zesewitz (posted 2017-05-24 12:40:32.137)

Could you please do a female SM1-version of that on the lens side, finally? I saw that you're in the "process of reviewing this" since 2015. Is there any result yet? I mean a SM1 threading would make much more sense than RMS cause its still compatible to RMS but allows SM1 too.

bwood (posted 2017-05-25 10:08:21.0)

Response from Ben at Thorlabs: Thank you for leaving this feedback. Unfortunately, we do not have any immediate plans to release this, however we are constantly working to expand our product line. Customer recommendations are an important part of this process, and I will reiterate this requirement to our engineers.

ludoangot (posted 2015-10-13 10:41:23.157)

It would be very useful if you could make a similar turret but with female SM1 threads (on the lens side) rather than RMS. The vast range of your SM1 adapters would allow mounting larger diameters microscope lenses (nikon, mitutoyo,...) in addition to any custom made assembly based on your sm1 tubes. I'm aware you offer RMS to other microscope mounts but RMS is smaller than nikon 25 and mitutoyo 26mm diameter mounts. (I see someone else also suggested this version)

besembeson (posted 2015-10-14 04:45:27.0)

Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: Thanks for the feedback. We are in the process of reviewing this.

patrick.lu (posted 2015-10-08 19:48:49.4)

There is a lot of play in the turret, in that its rotation axis allows for some jiggling even after an objective has been clicked into place. I would estimate that the image (and thus the tip of the objective) can be translated side to side by +/- 0.5 mm based on the wiggle-room allowed by the turret rotation. Is there something I can do to tighten this up? We are operating in a manufacturing environment where there are lots of vibrations. The instability of the turret only adds to the image stability issues.

besembeson (posted 2015-10-14 03:44:24.0)

Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: This issue has been addressed in the new design. The OT1 mounting tube is bolted now. I will follow-up to address this issue with your unit.

ludoangot (posted 2015-10-01 12:18:27.77)

Poster rickl (2008-03-21) pointed out a design flaw in the turret. Has this been corrected in the currently manufactured turret or is the design still incorporating glued sleeves?

rcapehorn (posted 2015-10-02 10:25:48.0)

Response from Rob at Thorlabs: Thank you for your interest in our OT1. I can confirm that this issue has been addressed and that the turret tube is now screwed and bonded in place.

patrick.lu (posted 2015-08-31 21:39:22.58)

We want to use one of these in conjunction with your LTFW6 light-tight filter wheel. Specifically, we would like to bolt the filter wheel to the top SM1 port of the OT1. I imagine a lens tube would be necessary between the OT1 and the LTFW6 to make the parts fit together? Seems like a simple adapter might not give enough clearance. What would you recommend?

besembeson (posted 2015-09-29 01:12:33.0)

Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: You may want to consider using an SM1V10

cbrideau (posted 2015-07-30 12:24:48.42)

Still waiting for an SM1 version of this part. Given the wide variety of SM1-to-whatever adapters you have this would allow great flexibility in mounting objectives. RMS is just too small for modern lenses.

jlow (posted 2012-08-01 12:57:00.0)

A response from Jeremy at Thorlabs to Guy: Thank you for leaving your feedback online. I will contact you directly to discuss about this possibility.

gyg2101 (posted 2012-07-27 11:16:54.0)

Hi, Could you make a Nikon CFI-60 compatible version of OT1? Thanks guy

tcohen (posted 2012-04-18 09:35:00.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: The RMS threads of the OT1 will hold the objectives snugly, and a typical set up can include a horizontal setup.

gao53 (posted 2012-04-13 16:58:26.0)

If I mount OT1 horizontally with 4 microscope objectives on it, can it hold them firmly without becoming loose?

bdada (posted 2011-10-10 17:24:00.0)

Response from Buki at Thorlabs: Thank you for your suggestion. We will pass it on to our design engineers for consideration as we continue expanding our selection of microscopy accessories.

user (posted 2011-10-06 18:30:09.0)

Any chance you can make a linear version of this ? Like a filter slider with position detents used in many microscopes. The accuracy may increase.

jjurado (posted 2011-08-02 16:18:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to last poster: Thank you very much for your feedback. We apologize about the inconvenience with your objective lens turret. We really have not experienced significant quality issues with this product, so it is most likely an isolated case. However, we would like to discuss this in detail with you, so that we can ensure your satisfaction with the performance of this part. Please contact us at techsupport@thorlabs.com and we will gladly assist you.

user (posted 2011-08-02 10:58:39.0)

I purchased one to mount inverted. However the repeatability of 2.5 um is not what I observe. The turret is simply too loose and by lightly tapping on the side of a mounted objective the image will move and not return to the previous position. I tried to tighten the spring-loaded screw but it was only stable when it was so tight, that it couldnt be moved at all. It feels miles away from quality turrets from either Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon, which are much more solid in construction. I am hoping that it was a manufacturing error and that my next one will be of better quality.

Tyler (posted 2008-03-21 16:23:22.0)

Response from Tyler at Thorlabs to Rick: Thank you for informing us of this engineering failure. We are happy to hear that your optics we not damaged when the part failed. I have arranged for a second OT1 to be sent to you for free and you should receive it on Monday morning. We will also review the construction of the OT1 in order to eliminate this design flaw. Thank you again for the feedback, we always appreciate it when our customers participate in making our products better.

rickl (posted 2008-03-21 15:26:39.0)

I purchased one of these turrets. I liked the simple design and compact 4 positions. UNFORTUNATELY there is a BIG manufacturing flaw. The threaded sleeve that is attached to the angled suface which holds the objectives is actually GLUED on, not threaded or bolted. The picture on the catalog page for this item shows some fairly nice objectives which could easily cost thousands of dollars. Im sure the owner of those objectives wouldnt be too happy to see his objectives crash to the ground because the glue didnt hold his turret together. Luckily, I only had the turret mounted (no optics) when mine broke. Ive since had my machinist bolt these two parts together, something Id recommend be implemented in your manufacturers process. I do need another one of these items, Id like to get a good discount on the next one if possible, since it requires about $100 of additional machining cost to mount the sleeve properly. Please let me know if this is possible. thank you, Rick Logemann BioImaging Solutions 858-356-0669 PH

Microscope Objective Lens Turret, SM1-Compatible

Zoom

Four RMS-Threaded (0.800"-36) Objective Lens Ports
External SM1 Threads (1.035"-40) on Mounting Interface
Precision Detent Mechanism for Objective Lens Positioning

The OT1 is a compact objective lens turret with four RMS (0.800"-36)-threaded ports. The aluminum housing has steel inserts at critical points to ensure the durability and precision of the detent mechanism, which reproducibly positions the objective lenses with a bi-directional repeatability of ±2.5 µm. The mounting interface for the OT1 objective lens turret has external SM1 (1.035"-40) threading so that it can be easily integrated into custom imaging systems built using Thorlabs' Lens Tube and Cage Systems. To mount the OT1 turret in a cage system, use a CP33(/M) for a 30 mm cage system or an LCP33(/M) for a 60 mm cage system.

RMS-Threaded Caps

Zoom

Objective Lens Turret Protected by RMSCP2 Dust Cap

Click to Enlarge
Figure 603B RMSCP2 Protecting Turret Ports of an Inverted Microscope

Microscope Objective Covered by RMSCP1 Dust Cap

Click to Enlarge
Figure 603A RMSCP1 Covering an Objective

RMSCP1: Internally RMS-Threaded Cap for Microscope Objectives
RMSCP2: Externally RMS-Threaded Cap for Objective Lens Turret Ports

These RMS-Threaded Caps are designed to protect microscope objectives, objective lens turret ports, and other RMS (0.800"-36) threaded components. The RMSCP1 has internal RMS threading, making it compatible with standard RMS-threaded microscope objective lenses. The RMSCP2 has external RMS threading to cover unused objective lens ports (see Figure 603B). Each of these caps is made from anodized aluminum and has a knurled edge for secure hand tightening.