Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Cage Systems / 16 mm Cage Components / Kinematic Mounts for 16 mm Cage SystemsKinematic Mounts for 16 mm Cage Systems
- Compatible with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Mount 1/2" Circular or Elliptical Optics
- Post Mountable
KC05-T
KCB05E
Application Idea
The TBP05 Post Base positions the reflective surface of an optic in a KCB05 Mount on a Ø1/2" TR Post above a threaded hole in an optical table.
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KCB05C
KCB05
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| Alternative Size Options |
|---|
| 16 mm Kinematic Cage Mounts |
| 30 mm Kinematic Cage Mounts |
| 30 mm Right-Angle Kinematic Cage Mounts |
| 60 mm Kinematic Cage Mounts |
Features
- Kinematic Mounts for Ø1/2" Round or Elliptical Optics
- Compatible with 16 mm Cage System
- Mount Optics Normal to or at 45° to the Optical Axis
- Post Mountable
The KC05-T 16 mm Cage System Compatible, Kinematic Mirror Mount is designed for Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) mirrors. This three adjuster mount provides ±2.5° of tip/tilt adjustment. By adjusting all three adjusters at once, the mirror can also be translated along the cage's axis. The SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) mounting hole accepts thin mirrors up to 0.15" (3.8 mm) thick.
The KCB05(/M) and KCB05C(/M) Right-Angle Mounts accept Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) round mirrors, and the KCB05E(/M) Right-Angle Mount accepts 1/2" elliptical mirrors. Both the entrance and exit ports have 4-40 threaded holes or Ø4 mm bores for SR cage rods to support 16 mm cage system integration, as well as SM05 internal threads for compatibility with Ø1/2" lens tubes. Each mount has three M3 x 0.25 adjusters for precise tip and tilt adjustment of the optic, useful for compensating beam path deviation in a 16 mm cage system.
The TBP05(/M) and TBP05/M-JP Pin-Aligned, Clamping Post Bases, available below, are designed to align the surface of a mirror mounted in a KCB05 Series Right-Angle Kinematic Mirror Mount on on an optical post above a hole in the optical table, simplifying the process of positioning an optical path over the table's threaded holes. The TBP05(/M) post base accepts a Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) pillar post and the
TBP05/M-JP post base accepts a Ø12 mm pillar post.
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 Figure 14A). The 16 mm cage, 30 mm cage, and 60 mm cage standards are designed to accommodate 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.
Figure 14A 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 (2.80") |
| 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 | ||
| Replacement Setscrews | Replacement setscrews are offered for our 16 mm (SS4B013, SS4B025, and SS4B038) and 30 mm (SS4MS5 and SS4MS4) cage systems products. | |
| 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: | |
user
(posted 2024-01-31 11:00:49.207) Dear tech support, what is the distance between the center of the reflecting surface and the front surface of the KCB05C/M mount ? It is not clear to me in the CAD pdf file. Same question for its 1" optics version. Thank your for your help. jdelia
(posted 2024-02-05 04:30:57.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I reached out to you directly to clarify that the measurement you are seeking is the distance from the back of the mounted mirror to the face of one of the other two sides of the mount, in the center of the SM- threaded aperture. For KCB05C, this distance would be 17.32 mm. For KCB1C, it would be 23.87 mm. daniel SILVEYRA
(posted 2021-05-26 07:50:02.933) I require support for selecting a mirror for Laser etching aplication. cdolbashian
(posted 2021-06-01 11:33:30.0) Thank you for reaching out to us at ThorLabs! I have contacted you directly to work out the details of your inquiry. |
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- Mounts Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) Optics
- Provides ±2.5° Kinematic Tip and Tilt Adjustment
- SM05 (0.535"-40) Threaded Mounting Bore for Thin Optics
- 16 mm Cage Compatible
- Post Mountable: Two #8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
The KC05-T Kinematic Mount is designed for our 16 mm cage systems. Four SR series cage rods can be passed through the mount and locked into place using setscrews. Each kinematic mount features three 3/16"-100 fine adjustment screws, offering an adjustment per revolution of 9 mrad/rev. The adjusters have a 5/64" hex socket for adjustment, and one 5/64" hex key is included with each mount. The KC05-T(/M) is SM05-threaded, which allows it to hold thin optics and can hold optics up to 0.15" (3.8 mm) thick. The KC05-T Kinematic Mount includes two SM05RR Retaining Rings to secure optics within the mount. If replacement setscrews are needed, we offer the 1/8" long SS4B013 and the 1/4" long SS4B025 brass setscrews, which both use a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex.
Zoom- Eight 4-40 Tapped Holes to Mate with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Mounts Ø1/2" (12.7 mm) Optics at a 45° Angle to the Optical Axis
- Provides ±4º Kinematic Tip and Tilt Adjustment
- Compatible with SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Lens Tubes
- Post Mountable:
- KCB05: One 4-40 Tap and One 8-32 Tap (for Mini-Series and Ø1/2" Posts)
- KCB05/M: One M3 Tap and One M4 Tap (for Mini-Series, Ø1/2", and Ø1" Posts)
The KCB05(/M) Mirror Mount provides provides ±4° of kinematic tip and tilt adjustment for a Ø1/2" optic positioned at a mean angle of 45° to the optical axis. Entrance and exit ports are equipped with an SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) hole. The KCB05(/M) has eight 4-40 tapped holes spaced for compatibility with our 16 mm cage systems. SRSCA SR Rod Adapters are necessary to effectively connect, adjust, and lock two of these right-angle cage mounts together within the cage system. The kinematic tip and tilt adjustment plate on these cubes is actuated with M3 x 0.25 adjustment screws that allow for smooth, high-resolution movement of 0.25 mm (0.01") per turn. Two of these adjusters include removable knobs, while the third must be tuned with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key or balldriver.
A nylon-tipped setscrew is used to secure Ø1/2" (12.7 mm) optics using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver in the mount's rear-loading, double-bored hole. The rear loading design does not limit the thickness of the mounted optic and the mounted optic remains accessible even after the mount is fitted with cage rods or lens tubes. The minimum thickness for optics that can be secured by these mounts is 0.12" (3 mm).
Zoom- Eight Ø0.16" (Ø4.0 mm), 0.20" (5.0 mm) Deep Bores to Mate with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Mounts Ø1/2" (12.7 mm) Optics at a 45° Angle to the Optical Axis
- Provides ±4º Kinematic Tip and Tilt Adjustment
- Compatible with SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Lens Tubes
- Post Mountable:
- KCB05C: One 4-40 Tap and One 8-32 Tap (for Mini-Series, Ø1/2", and Ø1" Posts)
- KCB05C/M: One M3 Tap and One M4 Tap (for Mini-Series, Ø1/2", and Ø1" Posts)
The KCB05C(/M) Mirror Mount provides ±4° of kinematic tip and tilt adjustment for a Ø1/2" optic positioned at a mean angle of 45° to the optical axis. Entrance and exit ports are equipped with an SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) hole. Eight 0.20" (5.0 mm) deep bores, spaced for compatibility with our 16 mm Cage System, accept SR Cage Rods, which can be locked in place using the included 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex setscrews. This design allows multiple 16 mm cage components to be directly interfaced without the need for SRSCA SR Rod Adapters. The kinematic tip and tilt adjustment plate on these cubes is actuated with M3 x 0.25 adjustment screws that allow for smooth, high-resolution movement of 0.25 mm (0.01") per turn. Two of these adjusters include removable knobs, while the third must be tuned with a 1.5 mm hex key or balldriver.
A 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex, nylon-tipped setscrew is used to secure Ø1/2" (12.7 mm) optics in the mount's rear-loading, double-bored hole. Two clearance cuts, positioned on opposite sides of the optic bore, maximize the clear aperture for transmitted light and provide easy access to mounted optics. Due to the rear-loading design, the mounted optic remains accessible even after the mount is fitted with cage rods or lens tubes. The mount accepts optics ≥0.12" (3 mm) thick.
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- Eight 4-40 Tapped Holes to Mate with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Mounts 1/2" (12.7 mm) Elliptical Optics at a 45° Angle to the Optical Axis
- Provides ±3º Kinematic Pitch and Yaw Adjustment
- Z-Axis Translation Using All Three Adjusters: ±0.04" (±1.0 mm)
- Compatible with SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Lens Tubes
- Post Mountable:
- KCB05E: One 4-40 Tap and One 8-32 Tap (for Mini-Series and Ø1/2" Posts)
- KCB05E/M: One M3 Tap and One M4 Tap (for Mini-Series, Ø1/2", and Ø25.0 mm Posts)
The KCB05E(/M) Elliptical Mirror Mount provides ±4° of kinematic pitch and yaw adjustment for a 1/2" elliptical optic positioned at a mean angle of 45° to the optical axis. The ports are equipped with SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) bores and four 4-40 tapped holes center-to-center spaced for compatibility with our 16 mm cage systems. The kinematic pitch and yaw adjustment plate is actuated with M3 x 0.25 threaded adjustment screws that provide angular resolution of 12.94 mrad/rev. Two of these adjusters include removable knobs, while the third must be tuned with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key or balldriver. While the optic face is nominally centered within the mount, the third adjuster can be used for fine tuning the position along the optical axis.
A nylon-tipped adjustment screw and a nylon-coated spring clip are used to secure 1/2" (12.7 mm) elliptical optics using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver via the mount's rear-loading, double-bored hole. The rear loading design does not limit the thickness of the mounted optic and the mounted optic remains accessible even after the mount is fitted with cage rods or lens tubes. We offer dielectric and metallic elliptical mirrors, which are compatible with this mount. The minimum thickness for optics that can be secured by these mounts is 0.12" (3 mm).
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Click to Enlarge Figure G5.2 Alignment of Laser Beam Along Holes of Optical Table Using an TBP05 Post Base
Click to Enlarge
Figure G5.1 Top and Bottom View of the TBP05 Post Base
- Ideal for Aligning a Laser Beam Along the Threaded Holes of an Optical Table
- Compatible with Imperial and Metric Optical Tables
- Alignment Pins and Attachment Screw Position the Reflective Surface of an Optic in a Compatible Mount Above a Hole in the Table
- Post Rotates Freely When Locking Screw is Loosened
Click to Enlarge Figure G5.3 Using a BHM6 Ruler and TBP05 Base to Align a KCB05 Mount
These Pin-Aligned, Clamping Post Bases are designed to work with mounts that center the reflective surface of an optic above an optical post The pins on the bottom of the post bases fit into the holes of an optical table with a 1" (25 mm) grid spacing, and the bases can be secured in position with a 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) cap screw and washer (not included). The TBP05(/M) and TBP05/M-JP bases should be used with a KCB05(/M), KCB05C(/M), or KCB05E(/M) Right-Angle Kinematic Mirror Mount.
The TBP05(/M) post base accepts a Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) pillar post, to which a right-angle mirror mount can be connected, as shown in Figure G5.3. The TBP05/M-JP post base serves the same purpose and accepts a Ø12 mm pillar post. The post can rotate freely until the locking screw is tightened using a 3/16" (5 mm) hex key.
The post clamping mechanism uses three points of contact for stable mounting (see Figure G5.1). We recommend the BHM6 Magnetic Beam Height Ruler with Dowel Pins as an ideal tool for aligning a laser with a table's hole pattern using the pin-aligned, clamping post bases, as it places a series of alignment holes at different heights above two threaded holes in the table (see Figure G5.3).
For our complete selection of Pin-Aligned, Clamping Post Bases, see the full web presentation.
Kinematic Mirror Mounts