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

Related Items


Please Wait

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.
Back to Top

Mini-Series Ø6 mm Posts


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.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Imperial Price Available
MS05R Support Documentation
MS05RMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 0.5"
$7.02
Today
MS1R Support Documentation
MS1RMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 1"
$7.44
Today
MS1.5R Support Documentation
MS1.5RMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 1.5"
$7.66
Today
MS2R Support Documentation
MS2RMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 2"
$8.26
Today
MS3R Support Documentation
MS3RMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 3"
$9.27
Today
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Metric Price Available
MS05R/M Support Documentation
MS05R/MMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 12.5 mm
$7.02
Today
MS1R/M Support Documentation
MS1R/MMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 25 mm
$7.44
Today
MS1.5R/M Support Documentation
MS1.5R/MMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 38 mm
$7.66
Today
MS2R/M Support Documentation
MS2R/MMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 50 mm
$8.26
Today
MS3R/M Support Documentation
MS3R/MMini-Series Optical Post, Ø6 mm, L = 75 mm
$9.27
Today
Back to Top

Mini-Series Thread Adapters

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
Thread Adapter Mechanical Drawing 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
Mechanical Drawing Item # Thread A Thread B Length C Typical Application
Thread Adapter Mechanical Drawing 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

Thread Adapter Mechanical Drawing

 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 Support Documentation
AP8E4EAdapter with External 8-32 Threads and External 4-40 Threads
$2.31
Today
MSA8 Support Documentation
MSA8Mini-Series Adapter with External 8-32 Threads and Internal 4-40 Threads
$5.95
Today
MSA25 Support Documentation
MSA25Mini-Series Adapter with External 1/4"-20 Threads and Internal 4-40 Threads
$5.95
Today
AE4E25E Support Documentation
AE4E25EAdapter with Internal 4-40 Threads and External 1/4"-20 Threads
$4.97
Today
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Metric Price Available
AP4M3M Support Documentation
AP4M3MAdapter with External M4 Threads and External M3 Threads
$2.31
Today
MSA4/M Support Documentation
MSA4/MMini-Series Adapter with External M4 Threads and Internal M3 Threads
$5.95
Today
MSA6/M Support Documentation
MSA6/MMini-Series Adapter with External M6 Threads and Internal M3 Threads
$5.95
Today
AE3M6M Support Documentation
AE3M6MAdapter with Internal M3 x 0.5 Threads and External M6 x 1.0 Threads
$4.97
Today
Back to Top

4-40 and M3 Hardware Kits

  • 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 - -
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Imperial Price Available
HW-KIT5 Support Documentation
HW-KIT54-40 Cap Screw and Hardware Kit for Mini-Series
$115.23
Today
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Metric Price Available
HW-KIT5/M Support Documentation
HW-KIT5/MM3 Cap Screw and Hardware Kit for Mini-Series
$115.23
Today
Additional Mini-Series Optical Post Assemblies
  • Mini-Series Posts

  • Mini-Series Post Holders

  • Mini-Series Pedestal Posts

  • Mini-Series Construction Accessories

  • Mini-Series Post Collars

  • Mini-Series Kinematic Mirror Mounts

  • Mini-Series Kinematic Prism Mount

  • Mini-Series Kinematic Rectangular Optic Mount

  • Mini-Series Kinematic Collimator Mount

  • Mini-Series XY Translation Mount

  • Mini-Series Rotation Mount

  • Mini-Series Fixed Lens Mounts

  • Mini-Series Fixed Mirror Mounts

  • Mini-Series Iris Diaphragm

  • Mini-Series Prism Platform Mount

  • Articulated Post Heads

  • Mini-Series Table Clamp

  • Mini-Series Breadboards

  • Temperature-Controlled Mini-Series Breadboard

  • Mini-Series Hardware