Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Post Assemblies / Ø1/2" Optical Post Assemblies / Ø1/2" Post Construction AccessoriesØ1/2" Post Construction Accessories
- Compatible with Our Ø1/2" Posts
- Essential Building Blocks for Complex, Rigid Structures
- Double-Bored Through Holes for Stable Mounting
RA90RS
Mounts Ø1" to
Ø1/2" Posts
(Posts Sold
Separately)
RA180
Right-Angle End Clamp
RA90
Mounts Two Ø1/2" Posts at a Fixed 90° Angle
(Posts Sold
Separately)
Application Idea
Use the PJ301 Mounting Joist to mount two mirrors in KM100 Mirror Mounts on a Ø1" post.
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| Quick Links |
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| Angle Clamps for Ø1/2" Posts |
| Ø1/2" to Ø6 mm Angle Post Clamp |
| Ø1" to Ø1/2" Right-Angle Post Clamp |
| Mounting Joists |
| Component Clamp |
Features
- Rigid Construction Accessories Required for Many Complex 3D Assemblies
- Angle Clamp Options
- Fixed 45° (Left- or Right-Handed)
- Fixed 90° Ø6 mm, Ø1/2", or Ø1" Mounting Options
- Fixed 0°, 90°, or 360° for Two Ø1/2" Posts
- Continuous 360° for Ø6 mm or Ø1/2" Posts
- Mounting Joists Provide Space-Saving Platform for Multiple Optical Mounts
- PMTR(/M) Clamps Large Components or Serves as an Adjustable-Height Mounting Joist
Thorlabs' Angle Clamps and Mounting Joists are construction accessories that offer space-saving mounting solutions. Our angle clamps give the user the ability to orient our Ø1/2" posts in multiple directions and provide rigid, stable, and compact structures that can meet many laboratory needs. The double-bored mounting holes ensure two lines of stable contact, while the aluminum thumbscrews securely fasten the posts in place. For added convenience, many of the angle clamps are also sold in packs of 5.
For compatibility with mini-series constructions and cage systems, Thorlabs' offers angle clamps that allow a Ø6 mm post to be mounted to a Ø1/2" post. These angle clamps are available with a fixed right-angle or continuous 360° rotation. Additionally, a fixed right-angle post clamp is also available for mounting a Ø1/2" post to a Ø1" post.
Thorlabs' Mounting Joists can be used to mount multiple optical elements close together, which alleviates the need for multiple posts and post holders. These versatile joists, compatible with Ø1/2" and Ø1" posts, can also offset a post from the mounted optic in order to squeeze the optic into tight areas. The two joist designs provide adaptable laboratory solutions to crowded table problems.
Our PMTR(/M) Component Clamp can be used to secure prisms, cylindrical components, and other devices. The clamp mounts to our Ø1/2" posts using a stable double bore and offers five 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes. It can also be used as a mounting joist for optical mounts. For mounting prisms and cylindrical objects with a small footprint, Thorlabs also offers Ø1/2" post-compatible fixed compact mounts.
| Posted Comments: | |
Hyeokjin Cho
(posted 2022-10-25 13:18:07.12) There are many needs to join two M4-tapped parts with defined orientation. Screwing two parts with M4 setscrew is not suitable since it does not guarantee the orientation. Therefore, a hardware with two M4 counterbore or slot on opposite side is needed to relieve rotational restriction. (Although counterbore in one hole is sufficient, such as KCP05/M, it would be very inconvenient to align orientation when one of the hole is not accessible, i.e. joining M4-tapped part to M4-tapped breadboard) PJ302/M was the only part matching this criteria, but it is too long for my application. Shorter version of PJ302/M would be very useful in this situation. cdolbashian
(posted 2022-10-31 02:14:06.0) Thank you for the inquiry! I have reached out to you with some application-specific based suggestions, as well as some potential alternatives for your particular application. Glenn Davis
(posted 2022-01-11 20:52:42.13) what is material on SWC - swivel block ? cdolbashian
(posted 2022-01-14 01:37:44.0) Thank you for contacting us at Thorlabs Glenn. The anodized metal parts are black anodized 6061-T6 Aluminum, the washers are both Stainless steel and Nylon. Seyed Hosseini
(posted 2021-11-08 13:38:47.753) Hello,
I am going to mount a laser with 1kg weight on this holder (RA90/M) vertically.
Do you think this is suitable for this weight?
Best Regards,
Mehrdad YLohia
(posted 2021-11-12 08:18:15.0) Hello Mehrdad, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Yes, a 1 kg load would be fine on the RA90/M. Todd Simon
(posted 2019-10-16 17:16:07.07) Just struck me as interesting that the buying in quantity is actually more expensive than buying the individual ones . . . is this a mistake? YLohia
(posted 2019-10-17 08:59:03.0) Hello Todd, thank you for your feedback and bringing this issue to our attention. This is certainly an error on our part and we are working on getting the volume prices updated. bdada
(posted 2011-10-04 20:02:00.0) Response from Buki at Thorlabs:
Thank you for your feedback. We will contact you directly to discuss the issue you're having with the RA90/M thumbscrews. We will also look into improvements we can make to the RA90. david.gherardi
(posted 2011-10-03 05:37:48.0) I had the same problem as drs. I found that a number of thumbscrews (supplied with RA90/M) sheared off very easily when they were tightened using a hex key.
David Adam
(posted 2010-04-22 09:20:58.0) A response from Adam at Thorlabs to David: I like this idea alot and will recommend this to our mechanics engineers as a customer inspired new product idea. We would like to ship you out a sample of a prototype unit so I will contact you to get your shipping information. david.dutton
(posted 2010-04-21 11:34:55.0) Product suggestion for SWC:
Thank you for all of your great products. Is it possible to have an SWC that has some sort of reference mark for 0, 45 and 90 degrees? Anodized marks on the side or a spring plunger?
No worries if it is not possible, just an idea I had.
Thank you Laurie
(posted 2008-12-08 10:18:28.0) Response from Laurie to drs: Thank you for your feedback concerning our SWC Swivel Post Clamp. Someone from our technical support staff will contact you shortly concerning your inquiry. drs
(posted 2008-12-06 14:11:12.0) Since the knurled screws on the SWC had hex socket openings, I tightened them using a hex socket wrench - I found that hand tightening them was not quite enough.
One of the knurled screw heads sheared off quite easily. How do I get a replacement? |
- Rigid Construction Accessories Required for Many Complex 3D Assemblies
- Double-Bored Through Holes for Stable Two-Line Contact
- Aluminum Thumbscrew Provides Secure Holding Force for Locking
Thorlabs' Angle Clamps securely fasten our Ø1/2" posts at a variety of angles to one another. In addition to the fixed angle options, we also offer a variant for 360° continuous adjustment (Item # SWC). The holes of these clamps are double bored to provide two lines of stable contact. The RA180(/M) has one double-bored hole and a 1/4"-20 (M6) threaded stud on the bottom, which allows this clamp to be directly threaded onto a post. The RA360(/M) has two double-bored holes allowing two posts to be mounted parallel to each other. The RA360(/M) also features a #8 (M4) counterbore allowing the parallel posts to be mounted horizontally to the top of another post. The 3/16" (5 mm) hex thumbscrews located at either side of each clamp secure the Ø1/2" posts in place once the desired position is achieved.
For added convenience, many of these clamps are also sold in packs of 5.
| Product Image (Click for Details)a |
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| Item # | RA45(/M) | RA135(/M) | RA90(/M) | RA180(/M) | RA360(/M) | SWC(/M) |
| Clamp Angle | 45°, Right Handed | 45°, Left Handed | 90° | 90° | 0°, 90°, or 360° | Continuous 360° |
Zoom
Click to Enlarge
Figure 573B A Ø6 mm Post Mounted Perpendicularly to a Ø1/2" Post Using the RA90TR Clamp
Click for Details
Figure 573A A Ø6 mm Post Mounted to a Ø1/2" Post with Continuous 360° Rotation Using the MSWCA Clamp
- Mounts a Ø6 mm Mini-Series Post or Cage Rod to a Ø1/2" Post
- Right-Angle and 360° Continuous Adjustment Available
- Imperial and Metric Versions Available
Thorlabs’ Ø1/2" to Ø6 mm angle post clamps are used to integrate Ø1/2" posts into mini-series constructions or cage system assemblies. These clamps are available as a fixed right-angle, for perpendicular mounting, or with continuous 360° angle adjustment. Individual locking mechanisms for each post, as well as the rotation angle, allow for independent adjustment of each component.
The MSWCA(/M) clamp allows a Ø6 mm cage rod or mini-series post to be mounted to a Ø1/2" post with 360° continuous adjustment. The clamp features witness lines marked every 45°, as well as a 3/16" (5 mm) hex thumbscrew to secure the swivel angle. Two additional 3/16" (5 mm) hex thumbscrews are used to secure the posts into place. The center-to-center distance between the two posts is 0.62" (15.7 mm).
The RA90TR(/M) clamp allows a Ø6 mm cage rod or mini-series post to be mounted perpendicularly to a Ø1/2" post. The design combines a highly stable clamp flexure lock for holding the Ø6 mm post that is secured using a 5/64" (2 mm) balldriver. A 3/16" (5 mm) thumbscrew locking mechanism is used for attaching the clamp to the Ø1/2" post. The center-to-center distance between the two posts is 1/2" (12.7 mm).
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Click to Enlarge
Figure G3.1 A Ø1/2" Post Mounted Perpendicularly to a Ø1" Post Using the RA90RS Clamp
- Mounts a Ø1/2" Post Perpendicular to a Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm) Post
- Flexure Mechanism Secures Right-Angle Clamp to Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm) Post
- Thumbscrew Secures Ø1/2" Post
- Imperial and Metric Versions Available
The RA90RS(/M) clamp allows a Ø1/2" post to be mounted perpendicularly to a Ø1" (25.0 mm) post. The design combines a highly stable clamp flexure lock that is secured using a 3/16" or 5 mm balldriver with a thumbscrew locking mechanism to provide a solution that enables a Ø1/2" post to be mounted perpendicular to a Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm) post. The thumbscrew can be tightened with a torque of up to 50 in-lbs (5.65 N·m). The center-to-center distance between the two posts is 1" for the imperial version and 25.0 mm for the metric version.
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Click to Enlarge Figure 395B PJ302 Post Joint Mounting a Mirror in a Position Offset from the Center of a Ø1" Post
Click to Enlarge Figure 395A PJ301 Post Joist Mounting Two Lenses About the Center of a Ø1/2" Post
- Compatible with Thorlabs' Ø1/2" and Ø1" Posts
- Space-Saving Design Allows for Multiple Optical Elements to be Mounted on One Post
- Options for Center Mounting or Offset Mounting
Thorlabs’ Mounting Joists provide valuable space-saving mounting options that are ideal for crowded optical tables or breadboards. These mounts are compatible with our Ø1/2” and Ø1” posts and allow multiple optics to be mounted close together on a single joist, eliminating the need for multiple posts and post holders.
The PJ301(/M) enables centered mounting in which optics can be placed on both sides of the post center. It features a centered #8 (M4) counterbore for post mounting and two #8 (M4) counterbored slots for mounting optomechanical components. This joist allows an optic to be offset by 0.40" - 1.40" (10.16 mm - 35.56 mm) from the post center.
The PJ302(/M) enables offset mounting in which optics can be mounted to one side of the post center. It features two #8 (M4) counterbored slots with opposite orientations, one for post mounting and one for mounting optomechanical components. This joist allows an optic to be offset by 0.40" - 2.70" (10.16 mm - 68.58 mm) from the post center.
Please note that imperial nuts only fit the imperial joists and metric nuts only fit the metric joists. Nuts are included with the these joists.
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- Five 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Tapped Thru Holes
- Secure a Prism or Other Component Using a Nylon-Tipped Setscrew
- Slip-On Collar Design Attaches to Ø1/2" Posts Using Thumbscrew
- Use as Mounting Joist to Offset Optical Mounts
The PMTR(/M) Component Clamp can be used to secure prisms, cylindrical components, and other devices. The clamp mounts to our Ø1/2" Posts using a stable double bore and offers five 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes. Components are secured using the included 1/4"-20 (M6) nylon-tipped setscrew with 1/8" (3.0 mm) hex. The closest tap is 1" (25.0 mm) from the center of the Ø1/2" post and the farthest tap is 2" (50.0 mm) away. Two of the the taps are orthogonal to the post for side-mounting components. Cylindrical components up to 3" (76.2 mm) in diameter may be held in place in a V-mount using the PMTR(/M) Clamp, as shown in Figure G5.2.
Ø1/2" Post Clamps