Optics Cases

Overview
Feedback

Thorlabs offers a variety of cases that are designed to store optics while they are being transported or not in use.

For unmounted individual optics Thorlabs offers the BX01 Storage Box (for Ø1" optics), BX02 Storage Box (for Ø2" optics), and the BX03 Storage Box (with foam inserts). If the need arises to store or transfer multiple unmounted optics at one time we offer the BX0510 and BX0110 Storage boxes, which can hold up to ten Ø1/2" and Ø1" optics, respectively. This reduces the amount of space needed to store the optics and makes large quantities of optics easier to transport.

For lenses and filters mounted in a lens tube system, Thorlabs offers two storage box options for Ø1" optics (KT01 and KT04) and one for Ø2" sizes (KT06). The KT03 Storage Box is also available for use with any of our 2" x 2" square filters.

We also provide objective cases for microscope objectives or small optical assemblies using our Ø1" lens tubes. A case is comprised of a lid and canister (each sold separately). Lids are offered with RMS (0.800"-36), M25 x 0.75, SM1 (1.035"-40), M26 x 0.706, and M32 x 0.75 threading. Two canister sizes are available to fit objectives up to 2.42" long or up to 4.00" long.

For additional storage options, consider our selection of cabinets.

Posted Comments:

jacqui (posted 2018-01-17 20:34:15.74)

I have attempted to contact you via email, and I am still waiting on a response. Could someone please contact me in regards to my email sent 16th January 2018 Thank you Jacqui

tfrisch (posted 2018-01-18 05:36:42.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We have received your email and replied with your requested quote. You can reference that quote number if you need to place an order for those items.

ludoangot (posted 2017-12-07 18:11:05.033)

Your objective cases are a very good idea, how about also a C-mount version? Some C-mount lens are about the size of a large microscope lens and would be well protected in your cases.

tcampbell (posted 2017-12-12 08:08:29.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have posted this idea in our internal engineering forum. In the meantime, you can use a C-mount objective with the SM1-threaded lid and an SM1A10 adapter. We have updated the web presentation with some information on using these cases with thread adapters.

mizuse (posted 2013-07-24 05:44:44.737)

Optics case BX01 is good, however, I hope the modification. Its case volume itself can store up to 4pcs of 1 inch optics if the plastic holder moiety is modified. I think "4-optics in one case" is an ideal choice for us, user of many optics (e.g. 20 Ag mirrors), to reduce the number of optics cases and save the space.

cdaly (posted 2013-07-24 15:44:00.0)

Response from Chris at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. For our ten packs of 1" optics we provide these in a single case which holds all ten. They can be seen in the image here: http://www.thorlabs.com/images/GuideImages/2149_BBx-E0x-case_SGL.jpg I will see if we can add the cases as a stock item, but in the meantime I believe we can offer these still as a custom. I will contact you directly about this.

jjurado (posted 2011-05-17 15:46:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to andre.lampe: Thank you very much for your feedback. We will look into the possibility of offering storage boxes for the BX01 optics cases. I will keep you updated of the status.

andre.lampe (posted 2011-05-17 18:26:42.0)

A storage box for the BX01 would be very nice, capacity of 20 or 30 BX01. For unmounted Filters and Dichroic I have not found a good solution, but a Storage box for this BX01s would fill that gap.

jjurado (posted 2011-02-15 13:05:00.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to Lasse Orsila: Thank you very much for submitting your request. I would recommend using our BX03 boxes (2.5" x 2.5" x 1") for storing larger optics.They include foam inserts, which allows them to be used with optics of many different sizes.

lasse.orsila (posted 2011-02-10 15:43:15.0)

Hi We have noticed that you use thicker boxes (thickness about 2-3 cm) for shipping some of the optics (mirror, lenses, filters etc.) but you only sell the thinner boxes (BX1, thickness about 1-2 cm). Would it be possible that you would start selling the thicker boxes, i.e., BX1-Thick :) Lasse Orsila Project manager, Dr. Tech. Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) Tampere University of Technology P.O. Box 692 FIN-33101 Tampere Finland Mobile: +358 40 733 6684 Office: +358 40 198 1059 Fax: +358 3 3115 3400

Storage Boxes for Individual Unmounted Optics

Product Image (Click to Enlarge)
Item #	BX01	BX02	BX03
Capacity	1	1	1
Quantity	10	10	10
Optic Size	Ø1"	Ø2"	Up to Ø2.5"^a

These boxes have dimensions of 2.5" x 2.5" x 1".

These Optic Storage Boxes are ideal for keeping your unmounted optics clean and damage free when they are not currently in use. The boxes are available with foam inserts or with plastic molds for Ø1" or Ø2" optics. Each box is silk screened with a Thorlabs logo and contact information. Boxes without silk screened information are available by contacting Tech Support.

Storage Boxes for Ten Unmounted Optics

Product Image (Click to Enlarge)
Item #	BX0510	BX0110
Capacity	10	10
Quantity	5	5
Optic Size	Ø1/2"	Ø1"

These Optics Storage Boxes are ideal for keeping up to ten unmounted optics clean and damage free when they are not in use, while also conserving space in the lab. The BX0510 and BX0110 Optics Storage Boxes have a plastic mold insert to secure up to ten Ø1/2" and Ø1" optics, respectively. The BX0510 measures 2.5" x 2.5" x 0.89" (L x W x H) while the BX0110 measures 6" x 4" x 0.67" (L x W x H). Each box is silk screened with a Thorlabs logo and contact information. Boxes without silk screened information are available by contacting Tech Support.

Storage Boxes for SM-Mounted Lenses and Filters

Product Image (Click to Enlarge)
Item #	KT01	KT04	KT06
Capacity	10	35^a	10
Quantity	1	1	1
Optic Size	Ø1"	Ø1"	Ø2" (Thickness = 1/2")

26 Optics with Thickness = 0.45" (11.4 mm); 9 Optics with Thickness = 0.65" (16.5 mm)

Storage Box for Unmounted 2" x 2" Square Filters

Product Image (Click to Enlarge)
Item #	KT03
Capacity	10
Quantity	1
Optic Size	2" x 2"

Microscope Objective Cases (Lids and Canisters Sold Separately)

Zoom

Click to Enlarge

View Imperial Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
OC2SM1	1	Lid for Objective Case, Internal SM1 (1.035"-40) Threads
SM1A65	1	Adapter with External SM1 Threads and Internal 8-32 Threads, 0.23" Thick
POLARIS-C1G	1	Polaris Ø1" Glue-In Fixed Mount, Optimized for Mirrors
BB1-E02	1	Ø1" Broadband Dielectric Mirror, 400 - 750 nm
OC22	1	Canister for Objective Case, Fits Objectives up to 50 mm Long (Lid Not Included)

View Metric Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
OC2SM1	1	Lid for Objective Case, Internal SM1 (1.035"-40) Threads
SM1A66	1	Adapter with External SM1 Threads and Internal M4 x 0.7 Threads, 5.7 mm Thick
POLARIS-C1G	1	Polaris Ø1" Glue-In Fixed Mount, Optimized for Mirrors
BB1-E02	1	Ø1" Broadband Dielectric Mirror, 400 - 750 nm
OC22	1	Canister for Objective Case, Fits Objectives up to 50 mm Long (Lid Not Included)

SM1-threaded optomech adapters can be used to secure a glue-in Polaris mount in an objective case.

Magnet on the Objective Case Secures the Bottom to an Optical Table

Click to Enlarge
The bottom of the canister
features a magnet for stability.

Plastic Lids Available with Internally Threaded Brass Inserts (See Table Below)
Clear Plastic Canisters Available for Objectives up to 50.0 mm or 91.0 mm Long (Shoulder-to-Tip Length)
Lids and Canisters Sold Separately; Lids may be Used Alone

These microscope objective cases can be used to store and transport our microscope objectives or other small optical assemblies mounted in our Ø1" lens tubes. An objective case is comprised of a lid and a canister (each sold separately). Please refer to the tables below for objective compatibility.

Each lid has a brass insert with internal threading to secure the objective to the lid. The lid also has separate threads to connect it to the clear plastic can. Each lid also comes with an adhesive label for noting the stored objective. The bottom of each canister has an integrated magnet for stability when upright on an optical table and the lids are designed with large ridges to reduce the likelihood of rolling damage and breakage when the container is on its side. See the tables below to identify the compatible lid and canister for your objective. Note that the objective length is measured from the shoulder to the tip (end) of the objective and does not include the threaded portion.

Microscope objectives with thread types other than the threading on the lids available here can be used with a thread adapter. For example, externally SM1-threaded adapters are available for compatibility with the OC2SM1, including adapters for C-mount (SM1A10), M27 x 0.75 (SM1A17), and M34 x 0.5 (SM1A37) threads. We also offer optomech adapters for compatibility with 1/4"-20 and 8-32 threaded components as shown in the photo above. Please ensure that the adapter and mounted component fit together inside the canister; the adapter must have an outer diameter less than 1.81", and the configuration must not exceed the 91.0 mm length available inside the OC24 (the OC22 is not recommended if using a thread adapter).

Please note that the lid and canister should only be cleaned with ethanol, methanol, or isopropyl alcohol. Acetone or other solvents may damage the material.

Objective Case Lids
Item #	OC2RMS	OC2M25	OC2M26	OC2SM1	OC2M32
Product Image (Click to Enlarge)
Internal Brass Threading	RMS (0.800"-36)	M25 x 0.75	M26 x 0.706	SM1 Series (1.035"-40)	M32 x 0.75
Material	Polycarbonate with Brass Insert

Objective Case Canisters
Item #	OC22	OC24
Product Image (Click to Enlarge)
Max Objective Length (Shoulder-to-Tip)	50.0 mm (1.96")	91.0 mm (3.58")
Inner Diameter	1.81" (45.7 mm)
Material	Polycarbonate with Neodymium Magnet