Mini-Series Optical Posts

Precision Ground Stainless Steel Posts
4-40 (M3) Tapped Hole in Base and Removable Setscrew in Top
Ideal for Miniature and OEM-Level Optomechanical Assemblies

MS3R

MS2R

MS1.5R

MS1R

MS05R

AE4E25E

4-40 Internal and 1/4"-20 External Threads

AP8E4E

8-32 and 4-40 Threads

Front

MSR2 Iris Diaphagm Mounted on a Mini-Series Post in a Mini-Series Post Holder

MSA8

4-40 Internal and
8-32 External Threads

Back

MSA6/M

M3 Internal and
M6 External Threads

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Overview
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Features

Designed for Use in Limited Spaces and OEM Applications
Essential Building Blocks for Small Assemblies
Posts Feature Top- and Bottom-Located 4-40 (M3) Tapped Holes
Adapters Available for 8-32 (M4) and 1/4"-20 (M6) Compatibility
Compatible with Our Mini-Series Components and Accessories

Thorlabs' Mini-Series Posts are designed to facilitate the integration of our Mini-Series components and accessories into optomechanical setups within a limited space. These posts are designed for compact and OEM-level optomechanical assemblies. Each post includes a 4-40 (M3) setscrew and features top- and bottom-located 4-40 (M3) tapped holes. For compatibility with our standard optomechanical components, we offer post thread adapters to convert among 8-32, 4-40, and 1/4"-20 imperial thread types as well as the M3, M4, and M6 metric thread types. In addition, we offer the HW-KIT5(/M) 4-40 (M3) screw kit, available below, as well as 8-32 (M4) and 1/4"-20 (M6) screw kits for the hardware needed to assemble Mini-Series and standard optomechanical components.

Our Mini-Series Post Holders, which are directly compatible with our Mini-Series Breadboards, can be used to mount our Mini-Series posts while allowing for height adjustment. Alternatively, we also offer Mini-Series Pedestal Posts and Clamping Forks. Both types of posts are designed to support our Mini-Series Kinematic Mirror Mounts, Cylindrical Collimator Mount, and Iris Diaphragm.

Posted Comments:

ZHIYU DENG (posted 2024-09-04 17:35:44.59)

The length of MS05R/M should be 12.5mm according to Solidworks model instead of 13mm.

jdelia (posted 2024-09-09 10:11:12.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs and for bringing this to our attention. You are correct, the length is in fact 13 mm. We have corrected this error on our website.

swaush (posted 2017-03-28 11:20:43.713)

Can we use cage system rods instead of mini posts? They seem to have the same measures and threads.

tfrisch (posted 2017-03-29 11:43:24.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. You can use cage rods as mini series posts, yes.

cbrideau (posted 2016-08-31 20:25:18.813)

It would be nice to see a version with captive screws like the CF125C. The 4-40 screws are hard to position and handle because they are so tiny.

tfrisch (posted 2016-09-01 02:00:26.0)

Hello, thank you for suggesting this. I've posted it in our internal engineering forum.

user (posted 2012-02-23 00:56:56.0)

Hi guys. What applications use these mini series posts and mounts? Trying to decide between these and the (less expensive) standard 1/2-in. Post system...also, do you have adapters if I want to use them on a full size breadboard with 1/4-20 holes? Thanks, Lev.

acable (posted 2009-08-12 10:39:58.0)

The socket in the thumbscrew for the MSRA90 is a bit to sloppy, this causes the wrench to bind in the socket.

acable (posted 2007-11-04 09:36:41.0)

Since this is a "new standard", please consider doing a better job in the main portion of the presentation of pointing out what the new standard actually is, i.e. the post size and threads.

Mini-Series Ø6 mm Posts

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Click to Enlarge
Metric versions are denoted by a stepped edge on one side. The imperial versions have a chamfered edge.

Available in Lengths from 0.5" to 3"
Tapped 4-40 (M3) Hole and 4-40 (M3) Setscrew
Designed to Mount Mini-Series Components and Accessories

These Mini-Series Ø6 mm posts, which have a 4-40 (M3) setscrew in one end and a 4-40 (M3) tapped hole in the other end, are manufactured using nonmagnetic 303 series stainless steel.

Mini-Series Thread Adapters

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These thread adapters are designed to interface our standard-series and our Mini-Series optomechanical components. This is a portion of Thorlabs' complete line of thread adapters, which are available for many common thread standards.

Mechanical Drawing	Item #	Thread A	Thread B	Length C	Typical Application
	AP8E4E	8-32	4-40	0.38" (9.7 mm)	Attach Components with 8-32 Tapped Holes to Imperial Mini-Series Posts
	AP4M3M	M4	M3	0.38" (9.7 mm)	Attach Components with M4 Tapped Holes to Metric Mini-Series Posts

Item #	Thread A	Thread B	Length C	Typical Application
MSA8	4-40	8-32	0.50" (12.7 mm)	Attach Components with 8-32 Tapped Holes to Imperial Mini-Series Posts
MSA4/M	M3	M4	0.50" (12.7 mm)	Attach Components with M4 Tapped Holes to Metric Mini-Series Posts
MSA25	4-40	1/4"-20	0.55" (14.0 mm)	Attach Components with 1/4"-20 Tapped Holes to Imperial Mini-Series Posts
MSA6/M	M3	M6	0.55" (14.0 mm)	Attach Components with M6 Tapped Holes to Metric Mini-Series Posts

Mechanical Drawing	Item #	Thread A	Thread B	Length C	Typical Application
	AE4E25E	4-40	1/4"-20	0.38" (9.5 mm)	Attach Mini-Series Bases to 1/4"-20-Threaded Optical Tables
	AE3M6M	M3	M6	0.39" (10.0 mm)	Attach Mini-Series Bases to M6-Threaded Optical Tables

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey

+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Imperial Price Available

AP8E4E Adapter with External 8-32 Threads and External 4-40 Threads

$2.31

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MSA8	Mini-Series Adapter with External 8-32 Threads and Internal 4-40 Threads

$5.95

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MSA25 Mini-Series Adapter with External 1/4"-20 Threads and Internal 4-40 Threads

$5.95

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AE4E25E Adapter with Internal 4-40 Threads and External 1/4"-20 Threads

$4.97

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+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Metric Price Available

AP4M3M Adapter with External M4 Threads and External M3 Threads

$2.31

Today

MSA4/M Mini-Series Adapter with External M4 Threads and Internal M3 Threads

$5.95

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MSA6/M Mini-Series Adapter with External M6 Threads and Internal M3 Threads

$5.95

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AE3M6M Adapter with Internal M3 x 0.5 Threads and External M6 x 1.0 Threads

$4.97

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4-40 and M3 Hardware Kits

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Ideal for our Mini-Series Breadboards and Optic Mounts
We also Offer Individual Cap Screws and Setscrews

HW-KIT5 4-40 Hardware Kit
Item	Approx. Qty.	Item	Approx. Qty.
4-40 Cap Screw, 3/16" Long (SH4S019)	165	4-40 Nut	200
4-40 Cap Screw, 1/4" Long (SH4S025)	135	#4 Washer	350
4-40 Cap Screw, 5/16" Long (SH4S031)	135	3/32" Hex Key for 4-40 Cap Screws	10
4-40 Cap Screw, 3/8" Long (SH4S038)	125	0.050" Hex Key for 4-40 Setscrews (HK050)	10
4-40 Setscrew, 1/4" Long (SS4S025)	190	-	-

HW-KIT5/M M3 x 0.5 Hardware Kit
Item	Approx. Qty.	Item	Approx. Qty.
M3 x 0.5 Cap Screw, 5 mm Long (SH3M5)	165	M3 x 0.5 Nut	220
M3 x 0.5 Cap Screw, 6 mm Long (SH3M06)	150	M3 Washer	220
M3 x 0.5 Cap Screw, 8 mm Long (SH3M8)	125	2.5 mm Hex Key for M3 Cap Screws	10
M3 x 0.5 Cap Screw, 10 mm Long (SH3M10)	125	1.5 mm Hex Key for M3 Setscrews	10
M3 x 0.5 Setscrew, 6 mm Long (SS3M6)	195	-	-