Hex Adjusters, 3/16"-100 Fine

• Seven Lengths Available from 0.38" to 2"
• 5/64" (2 mm) Hex Key Compatible
• Max Load: 18 lbs (8 kg)
• Material: DFARS-Certified Stainless Steel
  • Traceable Material Certification Available (Must be Requested at Time of Purchase)

Our high precision 3/16"-100 Fine Hex Adjusters can be adjusted with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key, 3/16"-100 removable adjustment knob (sold below), or HKTS-5/64 hex key adjuster knob (sold below). The F19SS series adjusters have a maximum axial load capacity of 18 lbs (8 kg). The adjuster body is constructed of 303 stainless steel and comes pregreased to ensure smooth mating into compatible components. The ball tip is constructed using 440 stainless steel that is fixed onto the adjuster using epoxy.

Drilling and Tapping
While we recommend using our fine adjusters with the appropriately matched threaded bushing (sold below), it is also possible to incorporate them directly into a part or material by creating a threaded hole. For the adjusters on this page, the diameter of the pilot bore should be 0.177" +0.002"/ -0.001". The corresponding imperial drill bit is size #16 (0.1770"). The hole can then be tapped with TAP316100. For fine pitch threads, it is especially important to tightly tolerance the pilot bore because of the shallow thread depth. For more information, see our taps and drill bit kit page.

These high-precision 3/16"-100 Fine Hex Adjusters feature two 0.07" (1.8 mm) side through holes. The through holes are sized to accomodate a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver, thereby enabling side action. These adjusters also feature an end-located 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex socket. The HKTS-5/64 Hex Key Knobs (sold below) can be used to adjust these screws via the 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex at the end, but the screws are not compatible with our standard 3/16"-100 removable adjustment knobs.

The F19ST series adjusters have a maximum axial load capacity of 18 lbs (8 kg). The adjuster body is constructed of 303 stainless steel and comes pregreased to ensure smooth mating into compatible components. The ball tip is constructed using 440 stainless steel that is fixed onto the adjuster using epoxy.

Drilling and Tapping
While we recommend using our fine adjusters with the appropriately matched threaded bushing (sold below), it is also possible to incorporate them directly into a part or material by creating a threaded hole. For the adjusters on this page, the diameter of the pilot bore should be 0.177" +0.002"/ -0.001". The corresponding imperial drill bit is size #16 (0.1770"). The hole can then be tapped with TAP316100. For fine pitch threads, it is especially important to tightly tolerance the pilot bore because of the shallow thread depth. For more information, see our taps and drill bit kit page.

• Two Lengths Available
• Max Load: 18 lbs (8 kg)

Our high precision 3/16"-100 Fine Adjustment Screws are equivalent to the adjusters sold above, but with a knob permanently attached to one end. The knob improves adjustment sensitivity. Our UFS series adjusters have a maximum axial load capacity of 18 lbs (8 kg). The adjuster body is constructed of 303 stainless steel and comes pregreased to ensure smooth mating into compatible components. The ball tip is constructed using 440 stainless steel that is fixed onto the adjuster using epoxy.

• Use with 3/16"-100 Hex Adjusters
• Clearance Hole Allows Access to Adjuster's Hex Socket
• Knurled Knob Increases Adjustment Sensitivity
• Available in 2 Sizes (See Table to the Right)

These removable adjustment knobs are compatible with our 3/16"-100 adjusters. These knobs enable quick and easy tweaking of an actuator without needing a hex key.

We offer two sizes of adjustment knobs: the Ø0.48" size (Item # F19SSK1) and the larger Ø0.71" size (Item # F19SSK1L) which provides additional angular resolution.

Please note that these knobs are not compatible with Polaris mounts that use side-hole adjusters. The recessed bore of the knob is not deep enough to allow the knob to engage the threads on the side-hole adjuster.

• Ideal for Slip Fit
• Three Lengths Available
• Made from 510 Phosphor Bronze (Vacuum Rated for 10^-6 Torr)
• Recommended Bore Diameter:
  • N100: 0.2415" +0.0005"/-0.0000"
  • F19: 0.2895" +0.0005"/-0.0000"

The N100B2P and F19SS series threaded bushings are designed for slip fit applications, as the 3/16"-100 threading tolerances are too tight for press fit. The recommended bore diameter for our N100 bushings is 0.2415" +0.0005"/-0.000", and for our F19 bushings is 0.2895" +0.0005/-0.0000". Each bushing is made of phosphor bronze in order to prevent damage to the fine adjusters. Phosphor bronze offers advantages like vacuum compatibility over brass. For vacuum applications, we recommend a thorough ultrasonic cleaning to remove any grease or particulates prior to use. To learn more about the use of fine adjustment screws and bushings in optomechanical systems, please see the Integration tab above.

• Material: 510 Phosphor Bronze (Vacuum Rated for 10^-6 Torr)
• Installed Using the 7/16" Hex Locking Nut
• Adjuster Screws Can be Locked in Place with the Side-Located Setscrew

This 3/16"-100 threaded bushing is made from 510 Phosphor Bronze (vacuum rated for 10^-6 torr) and includes a removable nut with a 7/16" hex. The sleeve can be mounted in a clearance hole, using the 7/16" hex nut to lock them into place. Adjusters installed in this bushing can be locked in place via a side-located setscrew. For vacuum applications, we recommend a thorough ultrasonic cleaning to remove any grease or particulates prior to use.

• Knurled Outside Diameter for Easy Tightening
• Material: 510 Phosphor Bronze
• Vacuum Compatible: 10^-6 Torr

The LN19100 lock nut features a knurled outside diameter to make gripping the nut easier when loosening or tightening. The 0.15" (3.8 mm) thick lock nut is made from 510 Phosphor Bronze, which is vacuum rated for 10^-6 Torr. Each nut features blind holes that allow a hex key to be used to help tighten the lock nut.

• Lock Nut Compatible with the 3/16"-100 Adjusters Sold Above
• Also Compatible with the Adjusters Included on our KA05 Series Ø1/2" Optic Mounts and KS05K Mount
• Tighten Using a 6 mm Hex Thin-Head or Cone Wrench
• 0.11" (2.7 mm) Thick
• Material: Specially Processed 7075 Aluminum

The LN19100H clear-anodized aluminum lock nut can be used with any 3/16"-100 adjuster for long-term stability and features a 6 mm hex. This lock nut is compatible with mounts that have 3/16"-100 adjusters such as KA05 Ø1/2" optic mount (excluding mounts with low-profile adjusters) and the KS05K mount. The adjuster can be held in place with an adjuster thumbscrew or hex key while lightly tightening the lock nut by hand or with a 6 mm thin-head wrench or cone wrench.

For applications that require frequent tuning of the adjusters, the lock nuts only need to be lightly tightened by hand to a torque of approximately 4 to 8 oz-in (0.03 to 0.06 N·m). For long term stability, we recommend tightening to a torque of 24 oz-in, which can be achieved by using our TW6 preset torque wrench. To avoid cross threading the lock nut, place it against the adjuster and "unscrew" the lock nut until you feel a slight drop; then thread the lock nut onto the adjuster.

Cleanroom and Vacuum Compatibility
The LN19100H aluminum lock nut is acid etched, specialty anodized with a thin 5 µm oxide layer, and duplex sealed with nickel, followed by boiling in reverse osmosis deionized (RODI) water. This process creates an all-metal surface that is clean, smooth, thin, hard, non-porous, and has a sealed oxide layer that supports use in low outgassing laser systems and cleanroom assembled systems. This same surface treatment is also used by some vacuum chamber manufacturers to prevent a native oxide layer from forming on the surface of bare aluminum. This surface finish provides an improvement over standard anodizing. We recommend a maximum bake-out temperature of no more than 80 °C.

To further reduce outgassing rates in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems, we can provide lock nuts upon request made from bare aluminum that is only acid etched; please contact Tech Sales with inquiries. Due to the reduction in surface hardness, these lock nuts will not have the same surface toughness, resulting in faster wear on the threads. Such lock nuts would also need to be carefully handled and stored to prevent surface contamination and the formation of a native oxide layer. These custom lock nuts would support a maximum bake-out temperature of no more than 200 °C.

Click to Enlarge
Two Collars Can be Locked Together to Create a Hard Stop

Click to Enlarge
A Single Locking Collar Can Lock an Adjuster in Position

• Extremely Compact Lock Nut: 0.05" (1.1 mm) Thick
• Use One Collar To Lock an Adjuster to a Bushing
• Use Two Collars to Create a Hard Stop on an Adjuster
• Sold in Packages of Five
• Install and Remove with the SPW401 Spanner Wrench, Sold Below

These locking collars are compact alternatives to the lock nuts sold above. They are only 0.05" (1.1 mm) thick and are constructed of 303 stainless steel. They are compatible with all of the 3/16"-100 adjusters sold on this page, as well as those used in our PY005 5-axis platform.

As shown in the photos to the right, they can be used to lock an adjuster in a desired position, or to create a hard stop at any position to prevent overdriving an adjuster. In addition to using two collars to create a hard stop, as shown in the photo to the far right, a single collar can be epoxied to an adjuster using our G14250 epoxy to create a permanent hard stop. We recommend the SPW401 Spanner Wrench, sold below, to install or remove these locking collars.

Click for Details
Figure 206A  POLARIS-K1E2 with HKTS-5/64 Adjuster

• For Convenient Adjustment of 5/64" and 2 mm Hex-Driven Actuators
• Red Anodized Adjustment Knob with Engraved Hex Size
• Replaceable Hex Tip
• Sold in Packages of 4

These 5/64" Hex Key Adjuster Thumbscrews allow for quick adjustment of many 5/64" and 2 mm hex-driven actuators (or standard actuators with the knobs removed). These temporary knobs can be left in the screw's hex socket between adjustments for convenience (see Figure 206A). An 8-32 setscrew (5/64" hex) secures the replaceable hex bit, which can be reversed if the tip is stripped. Contact Tech Support to order replacement hex key bits.

We offer hex key thumbscrews in sizes from 0.050" to 3/16" and 2 mm to 5 mm.