Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Cage Systems / 16 mm Cage Components / 16 mm Cage Plates / Cage Plates for 16 mm Cage SystemsCage Plates for 16 mm Cage Systems
- Compatible with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Designed for Use with SR Construction Rods
- Side-Located Setscrews to Secure Plate to Rods
SP14
Internal M12.5 x 0.5 Threads
for Unmounted Optics
(Retaining Rings Included)
SP01
Blank Plate
SCPA1
Alignment Plate
SSP05
Slip Plate Positioner
QRC05A
Quick-Release
Optic Mount (Two
Retaining Rings Included)
SP03
Ø16 mm Clear Aperture
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| Alternative Size Options |
|---|
| 16 mm Cage Plates |
| 30 mm Cage Plates |
| 60 mm Cage Plates |
Cage Assembly Systems provide a convenient way to construct large optomechanical systems using an established line of precision-machined building blocks that are designed for high flexibility and accurate alignment. See the Cage Overview tab for a full definition of this widely adopted construction standard.
The 16 mm cage plates are a family of construction blocks ideally suited for assembling optical systems based upon Ø5 mm to Ø1/2" optical components. Each cage plate contains four corner-located, Ø4 mm through-holes with a center-to-center spacing of 16 mm. These holes are machined for a precision slip fit with mating cage rods and provide side-accessible locking screws that fasten the plate to their mating assembly rods for positioning.
Cage System Compatibility: Thorlabs offers 16 mm, 30 mm, and 60 mm cage systems designed for Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" optical components, respectively. The parts on this page are compatible with our 16 mm cage system and utilize Ø4 mm SR cage rods.
Cage System Overview
The Cage Assembly System provides a convenient way to construct large optomechanical systems with an established line of precision-machined building blocks designed for high flexibility and accurate alignment.
16 mm, 30 mm, and 60 mm Cage System Standards
Thorlabs offers three standards defined by the center-to-center spacing of the cage assembly rods (see image below). The 16 mm cage, 30 mm cage, and 60 mm cage standards are designed to accomodate Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" optics, respectively. Specialized cage plates that allow smaller optics to be directly inserted into our larger cage systems are also available.
Standard Threads
The flexibility of our Cage Assembly System stems from well-defined mounting and thread standards designed to directly interface with a wide range of specialized products. The three most prevalent thread standards are our SM05 Series (0.535"-40 thread), SM1 Series (1.035"-40 thread), and SM2 Series (2.035"-40 thread), all of which were defined to house the industry's most common optic sizes. Essential building blocks, such as our popular lens tubes, directly interface to these standards.
An example of the standard cage plate measurements determining cage system compatibility.
| Standard Cage System Measurements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cage System | 16 mm | 30 mm | 60 mm |
| Thread Series | SM05 | SM1 | SM2 |
| Rod to Rod Spacing | 16 mm (0.63") | 30 mm (1.18") | 60 mm (2.36") |
| Total Length | 25 mm (0.98") | 41 mm (1.60") | 71.1 mm (2.8") |
| Cage Components | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cage Rods | 16 mm | These rods are used to connect cage plates, optic mounts, and other components in the cage system. The SR Series Cage Rods are compatible with our 16 mm cage systems, while the 30 mm and 60 mm cage systems use ER Series Cage Rods. |
| 30 mm | ||
| 60 mm | ||
| Cage Plates | 16 mm | These serve as the basic building blocks for a cage system. They may have SM-threaded central bores, smooth bores sized for industry standard optics or to accommodate the outer profile of our SM Series Lens Tubes, or specialized bores for other components such as our FiberPorts. |
| 30 mm | ||
| 60 mm | ||
| Optic Mounts | 16 mm | Thorlabs offers fixed, kinematic, rotation, and translation mounts specifically designed for our Cage Systems. |
| 30 mm | ||
| 60 mm | ||
| Cage Cubes | 16 mm | These cubes are useful for housing larger optical components, such as prisms or mirrors, or optics that need to sit at an angle to the beam path, such as beamsplitters. Our cage cubes are available empty or with pre-mounted optics. |
| 30 mm | ||
| 60 mm | ||
| Post and Breadboard Mounts and Adapters | Mounting options for cage systems can be found on our Cage System Construction pages. Cage Systems can be mounted either parallel or perpendicular to the table surface. | |
| Size Adapters | Cage System Size Adapters can be used to integrate components from different cage system and threading standards. | |
| Specialized Components | Thorlabs also produces specialized cage components, such as Filter Wheels, a HeNe Laser Mount, and a FiberPort Cage Plate Adapter, allowing a wide range of our products to be integrated into cage-mounted optical systems. Explore our Cage Systems Visual Navigation Guide to see the full range of Thorlabs' cage components. | |
| Posted Comments: | |
cdaly
(posted 2013-06-14 09:49:58.523) Response from Chris at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. Have you considered using the SRSCA to connect the rods? It can be threaded into the end of one rod, while the other will slide in and be held with a set screw, just as it would with the CP02T. Four of these would allow you to combine two cage systems. They can be found here: http://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SRSCA ar687
(posted 2013-06-13 08:24:37.333) For the 30-mm cage system the product CP02T is a cage-plate with two retaining screws. This is extremely useful for joining two cages, especially if both are connected to a beamsplitter or mirror mount cube. With the 16-mm system, such an option does not exist, making it very awkward to join two cages. A 16-mm cage plate with two retaining screws per rod would be very useful.
Andrew Ramsay, |
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SP02 Dimensions
- Four Through-Holes for Ø4 mm Cage Rods
- SM05 (0.535"-40) Thread with Retaining Rings for Securing an Optic or SM05 Lens Tubes
- 4-40 or M3 Tapped Holes Allow Mounting to Mini Series Posts
- Connects to SC6W via 3-48 Cap Screws (Not Included with SP02)
This SM05-Threaded Cage Plate is designed for use with our compact 16 mm cage assembly system. It features four through-holes that accept Ø4 mm cage rods. Each cage rod through hole is accompanied by a side-located locking 4-40 setscrew, which can be secured using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key. Both a 4-40 and an M3 tapped hole are featured on opposite sides. In addition, 3-48 cap screws (included with cube) can be used to bolt the cage plate onto the SC6W six-way cage cube. Two SM05RR retaining rings are included.
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The Two Included Retaining Rings Secure the Unmounted Optic (Shown: SP12 Cage Plate and AL108 Aspheric Lens)
- Mount Ø5 mm to Ø12 mm Optics
- Two Retaining Rings Included for Mounting an Optic
- Compatible with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Not Post Mountable
These cage plates have internal threads and are designed for mounting optics that have diameters from 5 mm up to 12 mm, such as our unmounted aspheric and achromatic lenses, into a 16 mm cage system. Two retaining rings of the appropriate size are included with each cage plate and are used to secure the optic. The SPW801 spanner wrench is recommended when threading the retaining rings into place. Each cage rod through hole is accompanied by a side-located locking 4-40 setscrew, which can be secured to a cage rod using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key. In addition, four 3-48 cap screws (not included) can be used to bolt the cage plate onto the SC6W six-way cage cube.
Thorlabs also offers internally threaded, post-mountable fixed mounts, which are not cage compatible, for mounting optics from Ø5 mm to Ø4".
| Item # | Optic Diameter |
CAa | Optic Thickness (Max)b | Internal Threads | Retaining Ring | Mount Thickness | Spanner Wrench |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP07 | 5 mm | Ø0.15" (Ø3.8 mm) | 0.09" (2.2 mm) | M5.5 x 0.5 | SM5RR | 0.23" (5.7 mm) | SPW801 |
| SP08 | 6 mm | Ø0.19" (Ø4.8 mm) | 0.11" (2.8 mm) | M6.5 x 0.5 | SM6RR | 0.25" (6.4 mm) | |
| SP09 | 7 mm | Ø0.23" (Ø5.8 mm) | 0.11" (2.8 mm) | M7.5 x 0.5 | SM7RR | 0.25" (6.4 mm) | |
| SP10 | 8 mm | Ø0.27" (Ø6.9 mm) | 0.16" (4.0 mm) | M8.5 x 0.5 | SM8RR | 0.30" (7.6 mm) | |
| SP11 | 9 mm | Ø0.31" (Ø7.9 mm) | 0.16" (4.0 mm) | M9.5 x 0.5 | SM9RR | 0.30" (7.6 mm) | |
| SP12 | 10 mm | Ø0.35" (Ø8.8 mm) | 0.16" (4.0 mm) | M10.5 x 0.5 | SM10RR | 0.30" (7.6 mm) | |
| SP13 | 11 mm | Ø0.36" (Ø9.1 mm) | 0.16" (4.0 mm) | M11.5 x 0.5 | SM11RR | 0.30" (7.6 mm) | |
| SP14 | 12 mm | Ø0.40" (Ø10.2 mm) | 0.16" (4.0 mm) | M12.5 x 0.5 | SM12RR | 0.30" (7.6 mm) |
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SP03 Dimensions
- Four Through-Holes for Ø4 mm Cage Rods
- Includes a 4-40 Nylon-Tipped Setscrew at the Side for Clamping Optics
- 4-40 and M3 Tapped Holes Allow for Mounting to our Mini Series Posts
- Connects to SC6W via 3-48 Cap Screws (Not Included with SP03)
The SP03 has a 16 mm clear aperture for mounting of optical element into our compact, 16mm cage system. It features four through-holes that accept Ø4 mm cage rods. Each cage rod through hole is accompanied by a side-located locking 4-40 setscrew, which can be secured using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key. Both a 4-40 and an M3 tapped hole are featured on opposite sides. This plate is designed to hold prism mounts and beamsplitter mounts and is compatible with the SPM2 Cage Prism Mount (not included). In addition, 3-48 cap screws (not included) can be used to bolt the cage plate onto the SC6W six-way cage cube.
Zoom- ±1.0 mm (±0.04") of Manual Adjustment
- SM05 (0.535"-40) Internal Thread
- Holds Ø1/2" Optics Mounted in Ø1/2" Lens Tubes
- 0.635" (16 mm) Clearance Hole
- Two 2-56 Adjustment Screws for Lockable Design
Thorlabs' SSP05 16 mm Slip Plate Positioner is designed to provide coarse XY positioning of optical components within our cage assembly system. The component that provides position adjustment is the movable carriage, which moves along the surface of the other plate for small XY adjustment. The movable carriage provides manual adjustment only and is best utilized in conjunction with an alignment laser to monitor centricity.
Adjustment is achieved by first loosening the two 2-56 button-head adjustment screws with a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver, manually adjusting the movable carriage in the desired position, and then tightening the screws to lock the carriage in place. The movable carriage is internally SM05 threaded and compatible with our Ø1/2" lens tubes, which can be used to hold Ø1/2" optics. Each cage rod through hole is accompanied by a side-located locking 4-40 setscrew, which can be secured using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver.
For post mounting, the SSP05 features a 4-40 tapped hole on side and an M3 tapped hole on the other. Our Mini-Series posts and Mini-Series pedestal posts can be used to mount the SSP05.
| Item # | Travel | Slip Plate Thickness |
Back Plate Thickness |
Maximum Optic Thickness |
Optics Mounting | Post Mountinga | SR Cage Rod Attachment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSP05 | ±0.04" (±1 mm) |
0.20" (5.1 mm) | 0.25" (6.4 mm) | 0.15" (3.8 mm) | SM05 (0.535"-40) Threads | 4-40 and M3 Tapped Holes | 4 Through Holes with Side-Located Locking Screws |
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SP01 Dimensions
- Four Through-Holes for Ø4 mm Cage Rods
- 4-40 and M3 Tapped Holes Allow for Mounting to our Mini Series Posts
- Connects to SC6W Cubes via 3-48 Cap Screws (Not Included with SP01)
- Black-Anodized Aluminum
Blank cage plates are ideal when standard threads and hole sizes are insufficient for custom mounting and OEM-level requirements. Custom hole sizes and threads can be machined using any size drill bits and taps. Each cage rod through hole is accompanied by a side-located locking 4-40 setscrew, which can be secured using an HK050 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key. Both a 4-40 and an M3 tapped hole are featured on opposite sides. In addition, 3-48 cap screws (not included) can be used to bolt the cage plate onto the SC6W six-way cage cube.
Thorlabs also offers the CP31 (CP01/M) 30 mm and LCP03(/M) 60 mm blank cage plates.
Zoom- Quick Drop-In Visual Beam Alignment Tool
- Small Through-Hole Aligned at Center of 16 mm Cage Assembly
The SCPA1 alignment plate provides a convenient tool for aligning 16 mm cage-based optical systems. This drop-in plate locates a Ø1mm through-hole at the exact center of a cage assembly, providing a convenient visual target to assist in beam alignment.
Zoom- Compatible with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Unique Dovetail Design Provides Smooth Release and Clamping Action
- One-Handed Operation for Removal and Repositioning of an Optic
- Accepts Ø1/2" (12.7 mm) Optics Up to 0.12" (3 mm) Thick
- SM05 Internal Thread Directly Compatible With Our SM05-Series Components
The QRC05A cage mount is equipped with a unique spring-loaded dovetail design used to engage cage rods for positioning. By simply squeezing the dovetails together via the cupped actuator levers, the dovetail mechanism disengages the cage rods, allowing the mount to be either quickly repositioned or completely removed from a cage assembly. This convenient one-handed mechanism does not require any additional tools to actuate the clamping mechanism.
 Cage Plates |