SM1-Compatible Translation Mounts

• High-Resolution Adjusters Provide 250 µm/rev for Micron Sensitivity
• Designed to Center Ø1" Optics in a Beam Path
• Internal SM1 (1.035"-40) Threading for Compatibility with Our Extensive Line of SM1 Lens Tubes
• Tip/Tilt Deviation: <100 µrad
• 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole for Post Mounting

The LM1XY(/M) translation mount utilizes M3 x 0.25 fine adjustment screws to provide ±1 mm of travel perpendicular to the optical axis. The adjustment screws provide 250 µm/rev and feature a 5/64" hex for fine adjustments. This translation mount is internally SM1 threaded (1.035"-40) for use with our line of SM1-threaded components. The LM1XY holds Ø1" optics, up to 0.32" (8.0 mm) thick, against the back lip of the mount, using the provided SM1RR retaining ring.

Please note that the moving SM1-threaded world may be manually rotated and may also rotate during translation.

• Accepts Ø1.00" Optics up to 0.48" (12.2 mm) Thick
• Compact Design, ±0.12" (3.0 mm) Travel
• Compatible with Our Ø1" SM1 Lens Tubes
• 4-40 Taps on Front and Back Provide 30 mm Cage Compatibility

The ST1XY translation mounts offer ±3.0 mm of travel provided by one of three drive types: adjuster screw, micrometer, or differential drive. They utilize hardened tool steel components on all moving parts to ensure long-term, drift-free operation. The ST1XY is designed to connect with our extensive line of Ø1" SM1 Lens Tubes as well as our 30 mm cage assemblies to offer great flexibility when building optical systems.

The translating SM1-threaded carriage accepts optics up to 0.48" (12.2 mm) thick when using two SM1RR retaining rings (included). A stationary internal SM1 thread with 0.14" (3.5 mm) depth is present on the other side of the mount that allows for coupling to stationary SM1 Lens Tubes.

Three 8-32 (M4) tapped holes are provided on the bottom surface to allow direct mounting on our Ø1/2" Posts.

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CXY1 and SM1 Lens Tube
Mounted in a 30 mm Cage System

• Accepts Ø1.00" (Ø25.4 mm) Optics up to 0.39" (10.0 mm) Thick
• ±1 mm Travel in X and Y via 3/16"-100 Adjusters
• Compatible with 30 mm Cage Systems
• SM1 (1.035"-40) Threading for Compatibility with Our Extensive Line of SM1 Lens Tubes

The CXY1 XY Translator provides ±1 mm of travel perpendicular to the optical axis of a 30 mm cage system. This translation is actuated by two 3/16"-100 adjusters, which are lockable via a 0.035" hex key. The movable carriage is internally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded and directly accepts Ø1" optics up to 0.39" (10.0 mm) thick when secured using the included SM1RR retaining ring. The fixed back side is also threaded to allow SM1 lens tubes to be attached. The center carriage has been designed to offer pure X and Y translation. The mount features engraved vertical and horizontal tick marks to use as an alignment aid for the mounting carriage.

The translation mount also features four through holes for use with our ER cage rods. Each cage rod is secured with one side-located 4-40 locking setscrew using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key.

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CXY1Q Mounted in a 30 mm
Cage System
Engraved circles indicate the correct orientation of the quick-release carriage. A white space for writing in the name of optic is located on the side of the CXY1QF.

• Accepts Ø1.00" (Ø25.4 mm) Optics
• ±1 mm Travel in X and Y via 3/16"-100 Adjusters
• Magnetically Coupled, Quick-Release Mounting Carriage (Extra Carriages Sold Separately)
• Compatible with 30 mm Cage Systems
• SM1 (1.035"-40) Threading for Compatibility with Our Extensive Line of SM1 Lens Tubes

The CXY1Q XY Translation Mount is similar to the CXY1 mount sold above, but features a quick-release mounting carriage for easy exchange of components within a 30 mm Cage System. This mount provides ±1 mm of travel perpendicular to the optical axis of a 30 mm cage system. This translation is actuated by two 3/16"-100 lockable adjusters. The movable center carriage and magnetically coupled mounting carriage are internally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded and directly accept Ø1" optics up to 0.39" (10.0 mm) and 0.20" (5.0 mm) thick, respectively, when secured using the included SM1RR retaining ring. The fixed back side is also threaded to allow SM1 lens tubes to be attached. The center carriage has been designed to offer pure X and Y translation.

The mount features engraved vertical and horizontal tick marks to use as an alignment aid for the movable carriage. A dot is engraved on both pieces of the mount to indicate the correct orientation of the quick-release carriage. Aligning the dots ensures the quick-release carriage is properly secured. The quick-release carriage also features a dedicated white space for denoting the optic that has been mounted within it (see the photo to the right). This allows for easy identification if more than one carriage is being used in a setup, as extra CXY1QF quick-release carriages can be purchased separately.

The translation mount also features four through holes for use with our ER cage rods. Each cage rod is secured with one side-located 4-40 locking setscrew using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key.

To remove the quick-release carriage from the mount when in a closed cage system, detach the carriage, rotate it 90°, and then take it out of the system. There must be at least 1.60" (40.6 mm) separating the edge of the quick-release carriage and the next component in the system to provide enough clearance during removal.

• Torque is relative to the plane of the magnets. We do not recommend using a lens tube longer than 3" with this mount.

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SM1-threaded lens tubes can be threaded onto both the front and back plate of the SPT1N slip plate mount.

• ±0.04" (±1 mm) of Coarse Adjustment in Both X and Y Directions
• Center-Located SM1 (1.035"-40) Threaded Hole in Front Adjustment Plate and Back Plate
• Position Front Plate by Hand and Lock in Place by Tightening Locking Screws with 5/64" (2 mm) Hex Key
• Secure Back Plate to a Ø1/2" Post via the Bottom-Located 8-32 (M4) Tap

The SPT1N(/M) Slip Plate Positioner is designed to provide coarse XY positioning of optical components. Both the front slip plate and back plate feature a center-located SM1-threaded hole ideal for use with our SM1 Lens Tubes. This design provides for manual adjustment only and is best utilized in conjunction with an alignment laser to monitor centricity. The threaded front plate is spring-loaded against the fixed, threaded back plate and can be locked into position via two locking screws. These locking screws can be threaded into the front side of the mount, or they can be removed and then re-threaded into the back side.

The front slip plate of the SPT1N(/M) accommodates Ø1" optics up to 0.07" (1.8 mm) thick, while the thicker back plate can hold Ø1" optics up to 0.19" (4.8 mm) thick. Unmounted optics can be secured with two SM1RR Retaining Rings (not included). The center-located SM1 (1.035"-40) tapped through holes in both the front and back plates also directly accept externally SM1-threaded components. Components should not be threaded past the end of either plate, as this will prevent the front slip plate from working properly. Please see the table below for the individual plate thicknesses.

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The two locking screws can also be threaded through counterbores in the back plate of the SPT1T (shown here) or SPT1.

• ±0.04" (±1 mm) of Adjustment in Both X and Y Directions
• Center-Located SM1 (1.035"-40) Threaded Hole in Front Slip Plate and Smooth Bore in Fixed Back Plate
• Position Front Plate by Hand and Lock in Place by Tightening Locking Screws with 5/64" (2 mm) Hex Key
• Secure Back Plate to 4 Cage Rods via Side-Located Setscrews or to a Ø1/2" Post via 8-32 (M4) Tap

The SPT1(/M) and SPT1T(/M) Slip Plate Positioners are designed to provide coarse XY positioning of optical components within our 30 mm Cage Assembly System. This design provides for manual adjustment only and is best utilized in conjunction with an alignment laser to monitor centricity. The front plate can be locked into position against the fixed plate via two locking screws, which can be threaded from either the front or back side of the mount.

The SPT1(/M) accommodates Ø1" optics up to 0.08" (2.0 mm) thick, while the thicker front plate on the SPT1T(/M) can hold Ø1" optics up to 0.34" (8.6 mm) thick. Unmounted optics can be secured with SM1RR Retaining Rings, two of which are included with the SPT1T(/M). The center-located SM1 (1.035"-40) tapped through hole also directly accepts externally SM1-threaded components.

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Translation of the Z-Axis Carrier Achieved by Rotating the Engraved Adjustment Dial

• Accepts Ø1" (Ø25.4 mm) Optics up to 0.39" (10.0 mm) Thick
• 60 mm Cage Compatible and Post-Mountable
• SM1 (1.035"-40) Threading for Compatibility with Our Extensive Line of SM1 Lens Tubes
• Two 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes for Post Mounting

Thorlabs' CXYZ1(/M) Translation Mount features X-, Y-, and Z-axis travel and holds Ø1" optics, up to 0.39" (10.0 mm) thick, against the back lip of the mount using the provided SM1RR retaining ring. The XY functionality allows travel perpendicular to the optical axis, while the Z-axis functionality allows for compensation of focusing errors in applications such as fiber alignment or lens mounting. The optic cell has been designed to offer pure X, Y, and Z translation.

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The Z-axis position can be locked by threading an SM30RR retaining ring (sold separately) onto the internal threads of the rear knurled knob. This can be done using the SPW607 Spanner Wrench.

The optic cell is internally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded and is translated along the Z-axis by rotating the zoom adjustment dial on the back of the mount. The optic cell does not rotate during translation. An engraving is included on the knurled dial, indicating the direction that it must be turned for translating the optic cell forward and backwards. Laser-engraved tick marks spaced 0.25 mm apart are included on the optic cell for indicating the Z-axis position. The position can be locked using an SM30RR Retaining Ring (sold separately); see the image to the right for more details.

X and Y translation of the optic cell is actuated using the two 1/4"-100 fine adjusters, which can be locked using our LN25100 Locking Nuts (sold separately). Horizontal and vertical witness lines provide a reference for the XY alignment.

The mount has four through holes on 60 mm centers for use with our Ø6 mm ER cage rods, making it compatible with our 60 mm Cage Systems. Each cage rod mounting hole has two side-located 4-40 locking setscrews, which use a 0.05" hex key. The mount can easily be adapted to 30 mm Cage Systems by using the LCP02 Cage System Size Adapter. Two 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes are also provided on opposite sides of the XY adjusters for post mounting in right- or left-handed orientations.

Thorlabs also offers a 30-mm-cage-compatible XYZ translation mount for Ø1/2" optics, available here.

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8-32 Tap Being Used to Mount the SM1ZP from Side on
a Ø1/2" Post

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1/4"-20 Mounting Tap Being Used to Mount the SM1ZP from Bottom on a Ø1" Post

• Post-Mountable via 8-32 (M4) and 1/4"-20 (M6) Taps
• Mount Ø1" Optics up to 0.28" (7.1 mm) Thick
• Flexure Design Provides 2.0 mm (0.079") of Travel
• Actuator Knob Graduated in 1 µm Increments
• SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Bore is Compatible with Our SM1 Lens Tubes

Thorlabs' SM1ZP(/M) Translation Mount offers repeatable, flexure-actuated, Z-axis travel. It includes two SM1RR retaining rings for holding a Ø1" (25.4 mm) optic up to 0.28" (7.1 mm) thick. This allows for compensation of focusing errors in applications such as fiber alignment or spatial filtering.

The lens carriage is internally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded and is translated using the precision micrometer actuator, which is graduated in 1 µm increments. The micrometer can be actuated using the knurled knob or a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. This threaded carriage allows for thicker optics to be mounted to the SM1ZP using our SM1 lens tubes, as shown in the image to the right. When mounted from the bottom, the center of the lens carriage is 2.00" (50.0 mm for SM1ZP/M) from the top of the post, while when mounted on its side, it is 0.68" (17.1 mm) from the top of the post.

The mount contains three 8-32 (M4) taps and two 1/4"-20 (M6) taps on its base as well as two 8-32 (M4) taps on its side for mounting onto any Ø1/2",  Ø1", or Ø1.5" Post, as shown in the images above.

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SM1Z Mount Used in the KT310 Spatial Filter System

• Compatible with 30 mm Cage Systems
• Mount Ø1" Optics up to 0.28" (7.1 mm) Thick
• Flexure Design Provides 2.0 mm (0.079") of Travel
• Actuator Knob Graduated in 1 µm Increments
• SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Bore is Compatible with Our SM1 Lens Tubes

Thorlabs' SM1Z Translation Mount offers repeatable Z-Axis travel within a 30 mm cage system. It includes two SM1RR retaining rings for holding a Ø1" (25.4 mm) optic up to 0.28" (7.1 mm) thick. This allows for compensation of focusing errors in applications such as fiber alignment or spatial filtering within a cage system, as shown in the image to the right, or for applications that require fine adjustment along the optical axis.

The lens carriage is internally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded and is translated using the precision micrometer actuator, which is graduated in 1 µm increments. The micrometer can be actuated using the knurled knob or a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. Coarse movement is achieved by sliding the SM1Z along the rods of a 30 mm cage assembly. Once positioned, four 4-40 setscrews apply locking force to the cage rods, firmly holding the mount in place. The threaded carriage allows for thicker optics to be mounted to the SM1ZP using our SM1 lens tubes.

Additionally, the SM1Z mount is a component of the KT310 Spatial Filter System, as shown in the photo to the right. In this application, the SM1Z is used to hold an aspheric lens that focuses laser light into a pinhole.

For cage assemblies requiring a longer translation range along the optical axis, Thorlabs offers the CT1 stage capable of a full 1/2" (13 mm) of travel.

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CT1 Translator Shown Assembled in a 30 mm Cage System

• Maximum Stage Travel: 1/2" (12.7 mm)
• Micrometer Drive with 0.001" per Graduation
• Material: Aluminum with Hardened Steel V-Grooves
• Bearing Type: Ball Bearing
• Comes with CT101: Ø1" Optic Mount
• Lockable Design

The CT1 Cage Translator is designed to be utilized within 30 mm cage systems (see image to right) requiring translation along the optical axis of the cage. The stage includes a Ø1" optic mount, which has internal SM1 threading (1.035"-40) for mounting Ø1" optical components up to 0.35" thick, or externally SM1-threaded components, such as our SM1 lens tubes. The CT1 Translator is modular and we also offer a series of alternative mounts for the movable carriage.

Precision linear ball bearings are used to ensure smooth high resolution motion. A graduated micrometer provides 1/2" (12.7 mm) of linear translation and has 0.001" graduations. The included micrometer (Item # 148-811ST) may be switched out with a metric micrometer (Item # 148-801ST) with 10 µm graduations. One SM1RR retaining ring is included with each unit.