Dovetail Optical Rail Mounting Accessories
- Spacers for Connecting Two Dovetail Rails
- Low-Profile Wedged Table Clamps
CL6
Table Clamp
SC1
Spacer for
Two Rails
Application Idea
A Vertical Rail Assembly Constructed with SC1 Spacers Holds an RC1 Carrier and a GM100 Gimbal Mirror Mount
OVERVIEW
| RLA Dovetail Rail Accessories | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Rails | Rail Carriers | Rail Carrier Positioners |
Mounting | Cage Mounting |
Counterbore Adapter Ring
Click to Enlarge
CL6 Clamp and RLA0600 Optical Rail
Features
- Clamps Secure Dovetail Rails to Optical Tables and Breadboards
- Spacers Mount Dovetail Rails Back to Back for Vertical Assemblies
Table Clamps
The CL6 Table Clamp features a wedged tip that is specifically designed to fit our RLA optical rails, allowing a rail to be secured along any direction on a breadboard or optical table. The low-profile clamp has the same height as an RLA rail, although its presence can restrict the placement of rail carriers.
Spacers
Thorlabs' SC1(/M) Spacers are used to mount two RLA Optical Rails back to back. This provides the additional support needed to create straight, stable vertical structures using our dovetail rails. SD1 Adapter Rings are requried to use these spacers with our dovetail rails because the rails have 1/4" (M6) holes while the spacers have 8-32 (M4) taps.
Counterbore Adapter Ring
For additional mounting flexibility, the SD1 Adapter Ring (shown schematically to the right) allows a #8 (M4) cap screw to be used within the 1/4" (M6) counterbored hole of the dovetail rails. This allows small optomechanical components, such as the KMS Compact Kinematic Mount, to be directly mounted to a rail. SD1 adapter rings are required for the use of SC1(/M) spacers with RLA rails.
Wedged Table Clamp for RLA Series Rails
Click to Enlarge
CL6 Cross-Sectional View
The CL6 clamp features a wedged tip that is specifically designed to fit our RLA Optical Rails, allowing the rail to be secured along any direction on a breadboard or optical table. The low-profile clamp has the same height as an RLA rail, although its presence can restrict the placement of rail carriers.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
CL6 | Table Clamp, RLA Series Optical Rails | $7.02 | Today |
Spacer Set
- Ideal for Building Vertical Rail Assemblies
- Two 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes per Spacer
- Sold in Packs of 5 Spacers
- Ten 8-32 (M4) Cap Screws Included per Pack
SC1(/M) Spacers are used to mount two RLA Optical Rails back to back. They feature two 8-32 (M4) tapped holes spaced such that two RLA rails attached with the spacer will have their end taps positioned 1" (25 mm) apart. Two SD1 Counterbore Adapter Rings (sold below) are required to join two rails because the RLA rails have 1/4" (M6) clearance holes and slots, while the SC1 spacer has 8-32 (M4) taps.
Shown to the right is a vertical rail assembly mounted on a BA2 base via two 8-32 cap screws and two SD1 counterbore adapters. The vertical rail is holding an RC1 with a GM100 Gimbal Mirror Mount.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
SC1/M | Dovetail Rail Spacers, 5 Pack, M4 Taps | $33.65 | Today |
SC1 | Dovetail Rail Spacers, 5 Pack, 8-32 Taps | $33.65 | Today |
Counterbore Adapter for Cap Screws
Cross Section of RC2 Rail Carrier with Included SD1 Counterbore Adapter Ring
- Use an 8-32 or M4 Cap Screw in a 1/4" or M6 Counterbore
- Package of 10 Adapters
The SD1 stainless steel adapter ring allows an 8-32 or M4 cap screw to be used within the 1/4" or M6 counterbores found on many optomechanical components.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
SD1 | 1/4" (M6) to #8 (M4) Counterbore Adapter Ring, 10 Pack | $9.21 | Today |