Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Vacuum Components / High-Vacuum CF Components / Mounting Adapters for CF Vacuum FlangesMounting Adapters for CF Vacuum Flanges
- Mount Optomechanics to a Ø1.33", Ø2.125", Ø2.75", Ø3.375", or Ø4.50" CF Vacuum Flange
- Interface with 30 mm or 60 mm Cage Systems
- Array of 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Mounting Holes
VFA275A
Adapter for Ø2.75" Vacuum Flange, 60 mm Cage System Compatible
Application Idea
An SM2L20 Lens Tube and KCB2C Right-Angle Mirror Mount Attached to a CF Flange Using the VFA275A Mounting Adapter
VFA133
Adapter for Ø1.33" Vacuum Flange, 30 mm Cage System Compatible
Please Wait
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Figure 1.1 The VFA275A flange adapter supports a knife edge prism used to split a beam coming from inside the vacuum chamber or combine two beams going into the chamber.
Features
- Mount Optomechanical Components to a Ø1.33", Ø2.125", Ø2.75", Ø3.375", or Ø4.50" CF Vacuum Flange
- Three Smallest Adapters Compatible with 30 mm or 60 mm Cage System
- 60 mm Cage System Adapters for VFA338(/M) or VFA450(/M) CF Flange Adapter Available Separately
- Array of 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) Taps for Mounting Optomechanical Components
- Allows 360° of Continuous Rotational Adjustment
These Mounting Adapters provide a way to mount optomechanical components to a standard Ø1.33", Ø2.125", Ø2.75", Ø3.375", or Ø4.50" vacuum flange via an array of 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) taps. Additionally, the VFA133(/M), VFA213(/M), and VFA275A(/M) flange adapters are compatible with Thorlabs' 30 mm or 60 mm cage systems, as each adapter has four through bores that allow cage rods to be passed through it. See Table G1.1 for a full list of mounting taps and through bores. The VFA338B(/M) 60 mm cage adapter for the VFA338(/M) flange adapter or the VFA450B(/M) 60 mm cage adapter for the VFA450(/M) flange adapter are also available separately. Please note that the VFA338B(/M) and VFA450B(/M) cage adapters only support a cage system on one side.
Mounting Procedure
To mount a flange adapter onto its compatible CF flange, the adapter is first fitted over the diameter of the flange, and then secured via the 3/16" (5.0 mm) flexure lock actuation setscrew. Video 1.2 demonstrates how to install the previous-generation VFA275(/M) flange adapter to a CF Flange and a cage system. The procedure is similar for the VFA113(/M), VFA213(/M) and VFA275A(/M) flange adapters.
Video 1.2 Thorlabs' Mounting Adapter for Ø2.75" CF Vacuum Flanges offers six relief cuts and a clearance channel for versatile mounting. The video above shows the previous-generation VFA275 flange adapter. The procedure is similar for the VFA275A flange adapter.
The VFA213(/M), VFA275A(/M), and VFA338(/M) flange adapters feature either four, six, or eight relief cuts around the inner diameter which, when aligned with the bolts on a compatible CF flange, allow the adapter to slide past the flange hardware and mount onto the vacuum system. If the system uses a zero-length reducer flange or is otherwise space-constrained, the VFA213(/M), VFA275A(/M), and VFA338(/M) flange adapters also feature a clearance channel which fits around the washers, allowing the adapter to rotate without clearing the flange hardware. The VFA450(/M) flange adapter has a large enough inner diameter that internal relief cuts and a clearance channel are not needed to fit around the washers. The adapters can be installed or removed while the vacuum system is in use without disturbing the flange. This is ideal for vacuum systems that require a bake-out process, as the adapter can be removed before heating and easily replaced once the system has returned to ambient temperature.
Due to the smaller diameter of the VFA133(/M) flange adapter, it cannot slide over a Ø1.33" flange that uses standard-sized washers. These washers must be replaced with custom-sized Ø0.260" washers; ten are included with the VFA133(/M) flange adapter. The vacuum flange will have to be disassembled to replace the washers. After the washers are replaced, the adapter can be installed on the vacuum flange in the same way as the VFA213(/M), VFA275A(/M), and VFA338(/M) flange adapters and can be subsequently installed and removed without disturbing the vacuum.
The VFA113(/M), VFA213(/M) and VFA275A(/M) flange adapters all use four 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex screws to lock the cage rods into place. In order to mount the VFA338(/M) or VFA450(/M) flange adapters to a 60 mm cage system, they must first be attached to either the VFA338B(/M) or VFA450B(/M) cage adapter, respectively, via four included 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) socket head screws. Once the flange adapter is secured in the cage adapter, the four 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex setscrews can be used to secure cage rods into place.
| Posted Comments: | |
Alastair MacDowell
(posted 2022-12-06 09:23:33.24) The VFA275 is very useful. A similar adaptor for 4.5" conflat would help the community (VFA450) . What would one cost ?
Thanks
Alastair MacDowell
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab jdelia
(posted 2022-12-12 01:36:40.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. While this unfortunately not something we currently offer, we do plan on releasing a 4.5" version like you have requested. I have contacted you directly regarding the timeline for this product. H Kim
(posted 2021-10-22 15:52:11.92) Dear Thorlabs, can I ask you a custom made VFA133 by 304LN stainless steel? YLohia
(posted 2021-12-22 02:57:04.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Custom items can be requested by emailing techsales@thorlabs.com. We will discuss the possibility of offering this customization directly. Conrad Stansbury
(posted 2021-05-18 17:20:04.153) It would be great if you could offer flange clamps for other conflat flange sizes, especially 4.5" and 6" flanges. YLohia
(posted 2021-05-19 01:34:30.0) Thank you for your feedback. We will consider offering such flange clamps in the future. John Sinko
(posted 2019-09-05 16:30:41.383) Would it be possible to modify a version of this component for 8", 6", or 4.5" conflat viewports?
Thank you and kind regards,
John E. Sinko
Associate Professor
Department of Physics & Astronomy
St. Cloud State University llamb
(posted 2019-09-09 10:05:57.0) Hello John, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. For future custom quote requests, you may email techsupport@thorlabs.com directly. I have reached out to you directly to discuss the possibility of a larger custom conflat viewport. user
(posted 2019-03-14 13:32:14.833) Dear Sir/Madam,
I plan to use several VFA275 as mechanical support of a vacuum chamber with several 2.75" flanges.
The vacuum chamber will be baked at 300°C. Does the VFA275 support this high temperature ?
Best regards llamb
(posted 2019-03-14 04:50:24.0) Thank you for your feedback. The VFA275 is designed to be mounted around vacuum flanges for a way to mount optomechanical components to the vacuum flange. The VFA275 itself is not vacuum compatible. The anodization layer on the aluminum will outgas in a vacuum environment and will typically crack and craze at temperatures beyond 100°C. I saw that you have submitted this anonymously, so please email techsupport@thorlabs.com if you have any additional questions. graham.stutter
(posted 2017-12-07 19:21:48.38) Do you have any plans to expand this range to other CF flange/cage mount sizes? eg CF16 and 30mm? nbayconich
(posted 2017-12-15 09:34:13.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We are currently in the process of designing new conflat flange adapters and expect to release them in 2018. |
Zoom- Available for Five CF Flange Sizes from Ø1.33" - Ø4.50"
- Array of 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) Face Mounting Taps for Mounting Optomechanical Components
- Three 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes on the Edge
Thorlabs' Mounting Adapters for CF Flanges allow optomechanical components to be mounted to a standard Ø1.33", Ø2.125", Ø2.75", Ø3.375", or Ø4.50" vacuum flange. The VFA133(/M), VFA213(/M), and VFA275A(/M) are directly compatible with our 30 mm or 60 mm cage system via four through holes for ER cage rods. For the VFA338(/M) and VFA450(/M) CF flange adapters, 60 mm cage compatibility can be added by attaching the VFA388B(/M) or VFA450B(/M) adapters, respectively, which have four 0.25" (6.4 mm) deep holes that accept ER cage rods. In all cases, the cage rods can be locked in place by side-located 5/64" (2.0 mm) setscrews.
All adapters have a series of 8-32 (M4) or 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes on their face, separated by 15° or 30°, and three 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes on their perimeters at 90° increments. All adapters except the VFA133(/M) flange adapter have a set of Ø0.27" (Ø6.7 mm) through holes for use with 1/4" (M6) socket head screws. For a full list of mounting features, please refer to Table G1.1. A flexure lock mechanism secures the adapters to a CF flange and can be actuated with a 3/16" (5 mm) hex key or balldriver.
| Table G1.1 Mounting Adapter Specifications | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | VFA133 | VFA133/M | VFA213 | VFA213/M | VFA275A | VFA275A/M | VFA338 | VFA338/M | VFA450 | VFA450/M |
| Flange Compatibility | Ø1.33" (CF 16) | Ø2.125" (CF 25) | Ø2.75" (CF 35)a | Ø3.375" (CF 50) | Ø4.50" (CF 63) | |||||
| Face Mounting Taps | 12 x 8-32 | 12 x M4 | 8 x 1/4"-20 | 8 x M6 | 9 x 1/4"-20 | 9 x M6 | 13 x 1/4"-20 | 13 x M6 | 10 x 1/4"-20 | 10 x M6 |
| Through Bores | - | 4 x 0.27"b | 4 x 6.7 mmb | 4 x 0.27"b | 4 x 6.7 mmb | 4 x 0.27"b | 4 x 6.7 mmb | 7 x 0.27"b | 7 x 6.7 mmb | |
| Edge Mounting Taps | 3 x 1/4"-20 | 3 x M6 | 3 x 1/4"-20 | 3 x M6 | 3 x 1/4"-20 | 3 x M6 | 3 x 1/4"-20 | 3 x M6 | 3 x 1/4"-20 | 3 x M6 |
| Outer Diameter | 2.44" | 61.9 mm | 3.75" | 95.3 mm | 4.00" | 101.6 mm | 4.63" | 117.5 mm | 6.00" | 152.4 mm |
| Cage System Compatibility | 30 mm | 60 mm | Requires Adapterc | Requires Adapterd | ||||||
| Cage Rod Locking Hex | 5/64" (2.0 mm) | |||||||||
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Figure G2.2
The VFA338B cage adapter allows the VFA338 flange adapter to connect to our 60 mm cage systems.
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Figure G2.1
The VFA450B(/M) cage adapter has a clearance bore in the back for compatibility with the VFA450(/M) flange adapter.
- Couples Mounting Adapters for CF Flanges to 60 mm Cage Systems
- Accepts ER Series Cage Rods
- 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) Mounting Through Holes
Thorlabs' CF Flange to 60 mm Cage System Adapters provides a convenient means for coupling our VFA338(/M) and VFA450(/M) CF Flange Adapters to a 60 mm Cage System. The four holes for Ø6 mm ER series cage rods are each 0.25" (6.4 mm) deep and accompanied by a side-located 5/64" (2.0 mm) locking setscrew.
It is possible to connect the VFA338B(/M) and VFA450B(/M) Cage System Adapters to the VFA338(/M) and VFA450(/M) flange adapters, respectively, via four included 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) socket head screws.
The VFA338B(/M) adapters has a series of eight 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) mounting thru holes that are separated by 30° or 60°. Additionally, it has Ø3.63" (Ø92.1 mm) clearance bore for the CF flange hardware. The VFA450B(/M) Adapter has twelve 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) mounting thru holes that are separated by 30°. Additionally, it has Ø4.50" (Ø114.3 mm) clearance bore for the CF flange hardware.
Mounting Adapters for CF Vacuum Flanges