Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Cage Systems / 30 mm Cage Components / 30 mm Cage System Adjustable Mechanical Slits30 mm Cage System Adjustable Mechanical Slits
- Through Holes for 30 mm Cage System
- Fine Micrometer Adjustment of Slit Width
- Central SM05-Threaded Bore
Application Idea
VA100CP Variable Slit with Attached SM05 Lens Tube in a 30 mm Cage System
VA100CP
Back View
Slit Open
Front View
Slit Nearly Closed
Back View
Slit Closed
Please Wait
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Figure 1.1 The VA100CP Variable Slit and the CFH2-V Variable Shutter in a 30 mm Cage System
| Item # | VA100CP | VA100CP/M |
|---|---|---|
| Micrometer Graduation | 0.001" per Division | 10 µm per Division |
| Slit Width Adjustment per Rev | 0.025" | 0.5 mm |
| Slit Centering Tolerance | ±0.003" | ±0.08 mm |
| Mounting Hole Tap | 8-32 | M4 |
Features
- 30 mm Cage System Compatible in Vertical or Horizontal Orientation
- 1-to-1 Micrometer-to-Slit Width Adjustment
- Slit Centered in SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Through Hole
- Slit Width: 0.00" to 0.24" (0.0 mm to 6.0 mm)
- Post Mountable in Vertical Orientation
The VA100CP(/M) Mechanical Slit for 30 mm Cage Systems provides precise micrometer adjustment of the width of a slit formed by two A2 tool steel blades. This slit is mounted in a housing with four through holes for 30 mm cage system rods; each rod can be locked in place with a setscrew using a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex key or balldriver. When mounted within a cage system, these through holes allow the slit to be oriented either vertically or horizontally.
The slit itself is centered about an SM05-threaded through hole, and its width can be adjusted with a built-in micrometer. The unique design of this mechanism provides a 1-to-1 correlation between the adjustment of the precision micrometer drive and the subsequent change in slit width to within 0.001" (20 µm for the metric micrometer). The actual slit width ranges from fully closed to 0.24" (6.0 mm) wide with 0.025" (0.5 mm for the metric micrometer) of adjustment per revolution of the micrometer. In the fully closed position, the two blades are touching. However, imperfections in the blades and the degree to which the blades are parallel can cause gaps as large as 0.001" (25 µm) in width. The slit opening remains centered on the SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) aperture as the slit width is varied.
The slim profile of the mount makes it ideal for use with compact optical assemblies, and the black finish of the housing and the blades limits unwanted reflections. The bottom-located mounting hole is compatible with our standard Ø1/2" posts, allowing the slit to be mounted on a post in a vertical orientation. The through hole is SM05 threaded for compatibility with a variety of Thorlabs' products, including our Ø1/2" lens tubes. We also offer standard Adjustable Mechanical Slits that are not compatible with our cage systems.
| Posted Comments: | |
user
(posted 2024-11-24 15:04:33.14) Hello,
I would like to know the distance between the front-facing surface of the VA100CP/M and the front-facing surface of the slit, since the two planes are not coincident. On the SolidWorks model, I noted the distance is 2.26mm. Could you provide the dimension for this? Additionally, could you please share what the thickness of the slit is?
Regards,
Iliya Shofman. cdolbashian
(posted 2024-11-27 09:04:55.0) Thank you for reaching out to us with this inquiry. The dimensions in the Solidworks file are accurate, and will be nominally identical, to our data presented in the mechanical drawings we share on the website. If you need values with tolerances, we are happy to provide some of these values. I have contacted you directly to inquire the dimensional requirements of your application user
(posted 2024-03-26 10:01:13.837) Is there a possibility to have 60 mm cage system adjustable slit? jdelia
(posted 2024-04-02 08:19:46.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. If you just looking to mount the VA100CP into a 60 mm cage system, that can be done through the use of 30 mm to 60 mm cage system adapters such as the ones we offer at the following link: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1750. If you looking to have a larger diameter aperture as well, that would have to be something for me to pass to our design engineers to consider as a future catalog item. I have contacted you directly to clarify your needs and discuss potential solutions for your application further. Robert Turner
(posted 2024-03-22 10:26:50.817) Not feedback per se, but rather a question: Is it possible to have the VA100/CP with imperial taps and a metric micrometer? jdelia
(posted 2024-03-22 11:26:04.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have reached out to you directly to discuss the feasibility of this customized item request. For future custom requests, you can email techsales@thorlabs.com. zhi wang
(posted 2020-06-22 10:12:26.143) solid works file cannot be opened by solidworks edition 2013, do you have the iges/stp file type of the VA100C YLohia
(posted 2020-06-22 09:50:20.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We will reach out to you directly with these filetypes. eplingb
(posted 2019-02-01 11:29:52.913) I'm interested in using your Piezo Inertia Actuator to allow for remote control of the slits. What length of travel actuator should I get? llamb
(posted 2019-02-04 09:06:39.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The variable slits on this page use micrometers with Ø1/4" smooth mounting barrels. Unfortunately the Piezo Inertia Actuators and our other motorized actuators do not have compatible mounting barrels, as they are typically either larger Ø3/8" mounting barrels or 1/4"-80 threaded mounting barrels. I have reached out to you directly to see if there are any suitable alternatives with your application. cyprian.wozniak
(posted 2018-01-17 09:35:35.567) is there a motorized version of the actuators for this product (VA100C/M ) ? tfrisch
(posted 2018-01-17 11:41:31.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Unfortunately, we do not have a motorized actuator with the same barrel size (0.25") as the 148-202FT micrometer used in the variable aperture. I will reach out to you with the complete specifications in case you want to use your own motorized actuator. kamzia1
(posted 2016-09-06 21:58:12.67) Hello, I have question about this product.
What is the thickness of blade edge?
I mean width of terminal section of blade.
in step drawing file it is drawn as 0.015 in (381 micron) Is this the real thickness? Or is marginal part ommitted?
We want slit of 200 micron gap with edge as thin as possible, might be under 1 micron.
If the blade is sharp enough we would consider this product as possible option.
Please alarm me your specificaion.
Sincerely Ji-Hyoun Kim tfrisch
(posted 2016-09-08 08:55:53.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. 0.015" is the nominal dimension before accounting for manufacturing tolerances. I will reach out to you directly about your application and whether a precision mounted slit may be useful. |
30 mm Cage System Variable Slit