Solid Aluminum Breadboards with Access Aperture

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Periscope Assembly Being Used to Reroute a Beam Through the Ø4" Center Access Hole of our MB1824A Breadboard

Custom Breadboards

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MSB2328/M Aluminum Breadboard Integrated with the LCC7201B Birefringence Imaging System, MPSHA1 Slide Holder Insert Adapter, and a MPSH2 Slide Holder Insert. 

Features

• Ø2" (Ø50 mm) or Ø4" (Ø100 mm) Central Aperture
• Access Aperture for Laser Beams, Cable Routing, or Imaging System Optical Paths
• Imperial or Metric Breadboard Hole Patterns
  • 1/4"-20 (M6) Taps for Standard Components
  • 8-32 (M4) and 1/4"-20 (M6) Taps for Both Standard and Mini-Series Components
• Offset Mounting Holes Allow a Full, Uninterrupted, Threaded Hole Matrix
• Solid Aluminum with Low Reflection Anodized Surface
• Custom Sizes and Options Available

These solid aluminum, nonmagnetic breadboards feature a central aperture for routing laser beams, for cable management, or for use in imaging systems. They provide a convenient and cost-effective platform for assembling prototype optical assemblies, performing experiments, and mounting small subsystems. These breadboards are offered with either 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes on a 1" (25 mm) hole pattern or a high-density pattern of both 8-32 (M4) and 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes. 

Each breadboard features four counterbored mounting holes, offset from the array of threaded holes, which are counterbored to create an uninterrupted surface for any intended application. Four of these breadboards have four 1/4" (M6) mounting holes located at each corner of the breadboard, inset 1" (25 mm) from each edge. The mounting holes may be used to attach the breadboards to optical tables, other breadboards, mounting posts, brackets, or a variety of other surfaces or mounts. Because the threaded holes extend completely through these breadboards, components can be mounted on both sides at once. Ø1.5" Mounting Posts allow for adjustments to the height of the optical axis by mounting the breadboards above the surface of an optical tabletop (or another board). The breadboards can also be mounted vertically using 90° or Vertical Mounting Brackets. Please see the Mounting Options tab for more details.

Two specialty breadboards (Item #'s MSB2328(/M)) have four M5 mounting holes spaced for mounting on the LCC7201B Birefringence Imaging System. These breadboards can also be used in spaces requiring a central aperture along with high-density threaded holes and a smaller, thinner breadboard. 

Other Breadboard Options and Accessories
For vacuum applications, we recommend using an unanodized breadboard; an unanodized breadboard with an access aperture must be ordered by contacting tech support. If the access aperture is not an essential feature, please consider our selection of standard Unanodized Breadboards.

Thorlabs also offers Double Hole Density Aluminum Breadboards with 1/2" offset hole spacing, doubling the density of mounting holes. These are offered in sizes ranging from 4" x 24" to 8" x 36" (100 mm x 600 mm to 200 mm x 900 mm) with thicknesses of 0.5" (12.7 mm). The same double-hole-density pattern is also available on our Circular Breadboards.

For limited space applications, Thorlabs offers a range of High-Density Breadboards. These breadboards feature increased tapped hole density,
4-40 (M3) or both 8-32 (M4) and 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes, and thinner breadboard thickness.

Optical Breadboard Enclosures are available to protect sensitive equipment from dust, stray light, acoustic noise, and thermal variations. Enclosures are offered completely sealed or with sliding door access.

Custom Breadboards
We offer a service for custom breadboard orders, with options that include hole pattern and spacing, size, thickness, and anodizing. For a quote, please fill out our custom breadboards form.

Mounting Options

Vertical Arrangement

Thorlabs' aluminum breadboards with four 1/4" (M6) counterbored mounting holes can be mounted vertically (or perpendicular to a mounting surface) using a wide variety of 90 degree mounting plates. For tall arrangements, we recommend the setup shown to the left. Here, the MB1218A breadboard is vertically oriented using two VB01 Vertical Brackets.

Vibration Isolating Feet

Thorlabs' aluminum breadboards with four 1/4" (M6) counterbored mounting holes may be mounted on a set of AV6 Sorbothane Feet, rated for 22.7 kg per foot. These vibration isolating feet may be used to isolate a small breadboard from its mounting surface.

Not shown: Standard RDF1 Rubber Damping Feet may also be used where high vibrational damping is not necessary.

Elevated Arrangement with Adjustable Mounting Feet

A set of Ø1.5" Post Mounts can be used to elevate an aluminum breadboard that has four 1/4" (M6) counterbored mounting holes off of the work surface. At left, an MB1218A breadboard is shown with four P6 Mounting Posts. An adjustable, self-leveling BMF4 Mounting Foot is attached to each mounting post. The self-leveling mounting feet feature rubberized feet and screw thread height adjustment.

Fixed Elevated Arrangement with Pedestal-Style Feet

A more permanent breadboard mounting option, for breadboards that have four 1/4" (M6) counterbored holes, is shown to the left and features pedestal-style Ø1.5" Post Mounts clamped to an optic bench. The MB1218A Aluminum Breadboard to the left is elevated off the optic bench surface using a set of four P6 Mounting Posts, each with a PB4 Pedestal Base Adapter and PF175B Clamping Fork.

Not shown: Ø1.5" Translating Posts may also be used in lieu of the P6 Mounting Posts for applications requiring further height adjustment.

Specialty Mounting in Imaging System

Two specialty breadboards (Item #'s MSB2328(/M)) have four M5 mounting holes spaced for mounting on the LCC7201B Birefringence Imaging System. These breadboards can also be used in spaces requiring the central aperture along with high-density threaded holes and a smaller, thinner breadboard.