Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Rails / 25 mm Optical Rails / T-Nuts and Screws for 25 mm, 50 mm, & 75 mm RailsT-Nuts and Screws for 25 mm, 50 mm, & 75 mm Rails
- T-Nuts Fasten Rails to Other Mechanical Components
- Hammerhead Screws Provide Quick-Release Mounting Stud
- Low-Profile Screws Provide Added Clearance
SH25LP38
Low-Profile
Channel Screws
Quick-Release T-Nut
8-32 (M4 x 0.7)
Drop-In T-Nut
8-32 (M4 x 0.7)
Low-Profile T-Nut
1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0)
Drop-In T-Nut
1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0)
Four T-Nuts
Available
Application Idea
T-Nuts Securely Attach
Optomechanics
Using Rail Channels
LPCEF
Fastener Kit: Quick-Release T-Nuts, Setscrews, and Thumbscrews
XE25H025
Hammerhead
Screws
Please Wait
| Compatible Optical Rails | ||
|---|---|---|
| 25 mm Rails | ||
| 50 mm Rails | ||
| 75 mm Rails | ||
Features
- T-Nuts Fasten Rails to Other Optomechanics
- Four T-Nut Choices (See Image Above)
- Hammerhead Screws Provide Studs for Direct Mounting
- Low-Profile Channel Screws with Smaller Footprint than Standard Cap Screws
Thorlabs' T-nuts, hammerhead screws, and low-profile channel screws are designed to link 25 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm rails to other optomechanical components.
T-Nuts
T-nuts effectively add 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) or 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped holes to the rail sides, permitting a wide range of standard optomechanics to be fastened to the rails. Our T-nuts are available in three styles—Quick-Release, Drop-In, and Low-Profile—which are detailed in the text below.
Figure 1.1 Low-Profile Channel Screws in 25 mm Corner Cube
Hammerhead Screws
These screws add 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) studs to optical rails and incorporate a quick-release T-head for direct insertion into a rail slot.
Low-Profile Channel Screws
Low-profile channel screws feature a shortened cap height and conserve space within a setup by allowing the optomechanical components that they attach to be more compact. For example, in our construction cubes, they allow several screws to be in close proximity, as shown in Figure 1.1.
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Figure 264A Drop-In T-Nut in Rail Channel
- Can Be Dropped into Any Exposed Portion of a Rail Channel Without Accessing the Ends
- Removal Requires Access to the Rail Ends
- 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Tapped Hole or 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Tapped Hole for Mounting
Drop-in T-nuts can be dropped in along any point of an exposed rail channel, making them easy to install even if the rail ends are blocked. They are available with either an 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped hole [Item # XE25T2(/M)] or 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) tapped hole [Item # XE25T1(/M)].
Although these T-nuts can be easily inserted anywhere along the rail, access to the end of the rail is necessary for removal. This procedure is shown in Video 264B. In contrast, our quick-release T-nuts, shown above, offer the added flexibility of being able to be removed when the rail ends are obstructed.
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Figure 263A Quick-Release T-Nut in Rail Channel
- Can Be Inserted and Removed from Any Exposed Rail Channel Without Accessing the Ends (See Video 263B)
- Drops into Position and Locks by Rotating
- More Surface Engagement than Drop-In and Low-Profile T-Nuts
- 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Tapped Hole for Mounting
The XE25T4(/M) Quick-Release T-Nut is our most versatile option for mounting mechanics to rail channels. Its thin width profile allows it to be inserted into an exposed rail channel. After being inserted, a clockwise rotation by 90° prevents it from being removed again. Once rotated, screwing in a mechanical part draws the T-nut towards the part, eventually forcing the T-nut and rail channel to engage. The protruding edge of the 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) tapped hole centers the T-nut within the rail channel, ensuring even engagement on both sides.
To remove the quick-release T-nut, simply remove any attached mechanical parts and rotate the T-nut counterclockwise.
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Figure 265A Low-Profile T-Nut in Rail Channel
- Can Only Be Inserted and Removed from the End of a Rail
- 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Tapped Hole for Mounting
- Economical Alternative to Drop-In and Quick-Release T-Nuts
The XE25T3(/M) Low-Profile T-Nut can be used when there is access to an XE Series rail end, which allows the T-nut to slip into place. Since installation (and removal) requires the rail end to be unobstructed, as shown in Video 265B, this T-nut usually needs to be positioned before a mechanical construction is completed. Our quick-release and drop-in T-nuts, shown above, can be inserted even if the rail ends are blocked; the former can also be removed without access to the ends.
This T-nut is also compatible with our XT66 Series rail system mounting platforms.
Zoom- Can Be Inserted and Removed from Any Exposed Rail Channel Without Accessing the Ends
- Drops into Position and Locks by Rotating
- 1/2" (12.7 mm) Long, 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Threaded Stud for Mounting
These quick-release hammerhead screws are versatile options for mounting mechanics to rail channels. Their thin width profile allows them to be inserted into an exposed rail channel. After being inserted, rotating the screw clockwise by 90° prevents it from being removed again. Once rotated, screwing on a mechanical part draws the hammerhead screw towards the part, eventually forcing the screw and rail channel to engage.
To remove the hammerhead screw, simply remove any attached mechanical parts and rotate the screw counterclockwise.
Zoom| Item # | Threading | Thread Length | Hex | Head Height | Quantity | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SH25LP38 | 1/4"-20 | 0.38" (9.7 mm) | 1/8" | 0.13" (3.2 mm) | 100 | Steel, Black Oxide Finish |
| SH25LP63 | 0.63" (15.9 mm) | 50 | ||||
| SH6M8LP | M6 x 1.0 | 8 mm (0.31") | 4 mm | 4 mm (0.16") | 50 | |
| SH6M10LP | 10 mm (0.39") | 100 | ||||
| SH6M16LP | 16 mm (0.63") | 50 |
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Figure 244B Low-Profile Screw in RM1G Construction Cube
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Figure 244A Standard Cap Screw in RM1G Construction Cube
Our Low-Profile Channel Screws have a reduced cap head height relative to standard screws, permitting them to be used in tight spaces. In particular, they are recommended when neighboring screws are at a right angle and in close proximity, as in our XE25W3 Corner Cube or RM1G and RM1S Construction Cubes.
Shown in Figures 244A and 244B are a standard cap screw and a low-profile channel screw installed in an RM1G cube. The low-profile screw's shortened cap height prevents neighboring screws from interfering with each other.
The head of each screw also fits into XE rail channels for alternate construction methods, as outlined here.
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Click for Assembly Demonstration
Figure G6.1 LPCE21 Panel Attached to Optical Enclosure using LCPEF Fastener Kit. The thumbscrews can be easily removed in order to access the inside of the enclosure.
- Attach Laser Safety Fabric Panels to 25 mm Rail Channels
- Each LPCEF(/M) Kit Includes:
- Seven 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Thumbscrews
- Seven 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) T-Nuts
- Seven 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Setscrews
- Replacement 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Thumbscrews Available [Item # LPCET(/M)]
The LPCEF(/M) fastener kit contains seven sets of thumbscrews, T-nuts, and setscrews. One fastener kit is enough to affix one laser safety fabric panel to the side of a compatible enclosure. Please see the manual for instructions.
The setscrews can be tightened using a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex key or balldriver, while the thumbscrews do not have a hex socket.
Replacement thumbscrews for the fastener kit are also available in packs of 10.
T-Nuts and Screws for 25 mm Rails