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Cage Plates for 16 mm Cage Systems![]()
SP14 Internal M12.5 x 0.5 Threads SP01 Blank Plate SCPA1 Alignment Plate SSP05 Slip Plate Positioner QRC05A Quick-Release SP03 Ø16 mm Clear Aperture ![]() Please Wait
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 OverviewThe 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 StandardsThorlabs 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 ThreadsThe 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.
![]() ![]() Click for Details SP02 Dimensions
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. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge The Two Included Retaining Rings Secure the Unmounted Optic (Shown: SP12 Cage Plate and AL108 Aspheric Lens)
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".
![]() ![]() Click for Details SP03 Dimensions
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. ![]()
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.
![]() ![]() Click for Details SP01 Dimensions
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. ![]()
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. ![]()
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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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