Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optical Cage Systems / Cage System Mounting / Post Mounts for Cage SystemsPost Mounts for Cage Systems
- Supports for 16 mm, 30 mm, and 60 mm Cage Systems
- Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø1.5" Post Mounting Options
- Quick-Release Versions Available for 30 mm and 60 mm Cage Systems
CH1060
60 mm Cage
Horizontal Clamp
for Ø1" Posts
CPMA4
30 mm Cage System
Snap-On Adapter
Application Idea
60 mm Cage System
Mounted on Ø1.5" Post
Using CH1560 Clamp Mount
CP33B
30 mm Cage System
Mounting Bracket
LCP33C
60 mm Cage System Mounting Bracket with Captive Screw
Please Wait
Features
- Clamps and Brackets Provide a Means to Support Cage Segments with Posts
- Solutions Available for 16 mm, 30 mm, and 60 mm Cage Systems
- Snap-On Options for 30 mm and 60 mm Cage Systems
- Mounting Options for Mini Series, Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø1.5" Posts
Thorlabs' cage supports allow our cage systems to be post-mounted. We offer supports to mount 16 mm cage systems on our Mini-Series Posts, as well as adapters to mount our 30 mm or 60 mm cage systems to our Ø1/2", Ø1" (25 mm), or Ø1.5" posts. For additional information on our cage systems, please refer to the Cage Overview tab.
We also offer the CRA30(/M) 30 mm cage rotation adapter that is compatible with our Precision Rotation Stage.
Mounting Brackets
Thorlabs offers fixed cage post mounting brackets for 16, 30, and 60 mm cage systems. These are secured to two cage rods and allow the cage to be mounted to a post via a counterbored hole. Options with a captive, low-profile mounting screw are available for our 30 and 60 mm cage systems. We also offer snap-on cage mounting brackets for 30 and 60 mm cage systems. These may be used to post mount cage rods and are easy to install on assembled cage systems.
Post-Clamp Mounts
These mounts allow for horizontal mounting of 30 or 60 mm cage systems to the side of our Ø1" (25 mm) or Ø1.5" posts. The CV1530(/M) allows for vertical mounting of a 30 mm cage system and clamps to a Ø1.5" post. We also offer the RA90TR(/M), which allows for horizontal mounting of cage rods to a Ø1/2" post.
Cage System Overview
The Cage Assembly System provides a convenient way to construct large optomechanical systems with an established line of precision-machined building blocks designed for high flexibility and accurate alignment.
16 mm, 30 mm, and 60 mm Cage System Standards
Thorlabs offers three standards defined by the center-to-center spacing of the cage assembly rods (see image below). The 16 mm cage, 30 mm cage, and 60 mm cage standards are designed to accommodate Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" optics, respectively. Specialized cage plates that allow smaller optics to be directly inserted into our larger cage systems are also available.
Standard Threads
The flexibility of our Cage Assembly System stems from well-defined mounting and thread standards designed to directly interface with a wide range of specialized products. The three most prevalent thread standards are our SM05 Series (0.535"-40 thread), SM1 Series (1.035"-40 thread), and SM2 Series (2.035"-40 thread), all of which were defined to house the industry's most common optic sizes. Essential building blocks, such as our popular lens tubes, directly interface to these standards.
An example of the standard cage plate measurements determining cage system compatibility.
| Standard Cage System Measurements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cage System | 16 mm | 30 mm | 60 mm |
| Thread Series | SM05 | SM1 | SM2 |
| Rod to Rod Spacing | 16 mm (0.63") | 30 mm (1.18") | 60 mm (2.36") |
| Total Length | 25 mm (0.98") | 41 mm (1.60") | 71.1 mm (2.80") |
| Cage Components | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cage Rods | 16 mm | These rods are used to connect cage plates, optic mounts, and other components in the cage system. The SR Series Cage Rods are compatible with our 16 mm cage systems, while the 30 mm and 60 mm cage systems use ER Series Cage Rods. |
| 30 mm | ||
| 60 mm | ||
| Cage Plates | 16 mm | These serve as the basic building blocks for a cage system. They may have SM-threaded central bores, smooth bores sized for industry standard optics or to accommodate the outer profile of our SM Series Lens Tubes, or specialized bores for other components such as our FiberPorts. |
| 30 mm | ||
| 60 mm | ||
| Optic Mounts | 16 mm | Thorlabs offers fixed, kinematic, rotation, and translation mounts specifically designed for our Cage Systems. |
| 30 mm | ||
| 60 mm | ||
| Cage Cubes | 16 mm | These cubes are useful for housing larger optical components, such as prisms or mirrors, or optics that need to sit at an angle to the beam path, such as beamsplitters. Our cage cubes are available empty or with pre-mounted optics. |
| 30 mm | ||
| 60 mm | ||
| Replacement Setscrews | Replacement setscrews are offered for our 16 mm (SS4B013, SS4B025, and SS4B038) and 30 mm (SS4MS5 and SS4MS4) cage systems products. | |
| Post and Breadboard Mounts and Adapters | Mounting options for cage systems can be found on our Cage System Construction pages. Cage Systems can be mounted either parallel or perpendicular to the table surface. | |
| Size Adapters | Cage System Size Adapters can be used to integrate components from different cage system and threading standards. | |
| Specialized Components | Thorlabs also produces specialized cage components, such as Filter Wheels, a HeNe Laser Mount, and a FiberPort Cage Plate Adapter, allowing a wide range of our products to be integrated into cage-mounted optical systems. Explore our Cage Systems Visual Navigation Guide to see the full range of Thorlabs' cage components. | |
| Posted Comments: | |
Tobias Engelhardt
(posted 2022-11-09 12:22:02.173) I would love a modified version of the CP33B that features a distance of 10mm between the base and the center of the rod holes. This would allow users to combine it with a standard 25mm pedestal pillar to reach a beam path height of exactly 50mm. Due to other components requiring a beam height of 50mm we used spacers as workaround to mount our cage system in combination with the CP33B. cdolbashian
(posted 2022-11-16 11:30:16.0) Thank you for reaching out to us Tobias. We can potentially do this depending on the quantity needed. As an alternative, perhaps use the 1" posts with post holders so you have some freedom in your Z adjustment. For future custom requests, please feel free to reach out to our Solutions team at TechSales@thorlabs.com. Ryan Scholl
(posted 2021-11-23 05:58:38.053) Would be great to have a CV1530/M for 60mm cage systems / a vertical mounting option for CH1060/M. (We're in the last steps of design and I realized we don't have a way to mount it!) Is it not possible to tap an additional couple of holes in a vertical array on the mounting plate of CH1060/M? I'm assuming it would just require a couple more millimeters of plate thickness on the threaded side to prevent the screws from going through and hitting the post? Then I could just rotate 90 degrees the part that interfaces with the cage rods. Or maybe it's more complicated and I'm missing something. I might buy it and add some tapped holes on an intermediary mounting plate, but it would be great if there was a catalog solution. YLohia
(posted 2021-12-23 11:55:14.0) Hello, thank you for your feedback. We will consider your comments as we look to expand our catalog in the future. Sara Vidal
(posted 2019-11-12 04:37:40.39) Hello. I'm trying to fix combined elements of 60mm and 30mm to a breadboard with LCPMA2/M and CPMA2/M items. I started fixinx 60mm system, but now I want to fix the 30mm rods but there is a GAP. I would like to know if there is any element I can use to save the distance from the breadboard to the rods in 30mm mounts. YLohia
(posted 2019-11-13 08:29:26.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have reached out to you directly to discuss a possible post-mounting solution. user
(posted 2017-12-20 10:47:53.877) On the CP02B, the 4-40 set screws for locking to ER rods normally enter from the top (as oriented in your photos). The drawing and model shows the set screw holes extending through the entire part, but do not indicated if they are tapped all the way through, as well. Is it possible (on the stock part) to insert the 4-40 set screws from the bottom? Thank you. nbayconich
(posted 2018-01-09 03:07:44.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The 4-40 taps are tapped through the bottom of the CP02B so set screws can be inserted from the bottom of the bracket. lior
(posted 2016-04-20 18:36:00.78) Greetings,
The LCP01B arrives with two cap screws, clamping the flexure locks to the ER rods. I'm afraid these screws are imperial, while the part is supposed to be universal. Do you plan to offer this part with metric screws as well?
Thanks,
Lior besembeson
(posted 2016-04-21 01:27:27.0) Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: Thanks for pointing this to us. We are going to consider adding the suitable hex key with the part (short term) to keep this universal. Long term, we will alter the design to use a #3 cap screw that has a universal 5/64 (2mm) hex key. cbrideau
(posted 2014-01-15 18:41:22.543) Is it possible to get something like this, which supports the cage vertically, for your 1" posts instead of 1.5"? jlow
(posted 2014-01-23 05:00:32.0) Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: We do not currently carry a vertical cage mount for Ø1" post (but we can custom make this). We will look into the possibility of carrying this in the future. |
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- Compatible with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Two Through Holes for use with Ø4 mm Cage Rods
- Mounting Hole Compatible with 4-40 (M3 x 0.5) Screws and Mini-Series Posts
The SMB1 provides a compact mounting option when working with our compact cage system. The slim, low-profile design is ideal for incorporating 16 mm Cage Systems into an optomechanical assembly. If replacement setscrews are needed, we offer SS4B013 brass setscrews, which use a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex.
Please note that this bracket cannot be used directly below an SM05 lens tube.
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Click to Enlarge
Captive Screw on the CP33C/M
- Compatible with 30 mm Cage Systems
- Cage Rods (Not Included) are Locked into Place with Top-Located Setscrews [5/64" (2.0 mm Hex)]
- Brackets Offer Clearance for SM1 Lens Tubes
The 30 mm Cage Mounting Brackets provide a compact mounting option for incorporating 30 mm Cage Systems into optomechanical assemblies.
The CP33B contains three #8 (M4) counterbored mounting holes which allow this adapter to be used with our standard post and post holders in addition to OEM applications, which require secure mounting into a larger system (post and post holder not included).
The CP33C(/M) mounting bracket includes a low-profile, captive 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) mounting screw with a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex in its one mounting hole that protrudes 0.22" (5.0 mm) below the bracket. The captive mounting screw allows the bracket to easily match the height of other components in a 30 mm cage system without having to use optical posts of varying heights.
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Click to Enlarge 60 mm Cage System with SM02 Lens Tube
Mounted on a Ø1/2" Post Post Using an LCP33B Adapter
Click to Enlarge
Captive Screw on the LCP33C/M
- 60 mm Cage System Compatible
- Firmly Lock onto Ø6.0 mm ER Rods with Flexure Locking Design
The 60 mm Cage Mounting Brackets allow 60 mm Cage Systems to be incorporated into other optomechanical assemblies and has a flexure cut design for increased stability. Two Ø0.24" (Ø6.0 mm) through holes with 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex screws clamp the flexure locks onto Ø6.0 mm ER Rods (not included).
The LCP33B bracket has three #8 (M4) counterbored holes for post mounting and provides clearance for SM2 Lens Tubes as shown in the photo on the far right.
The LCP33C(/M) mounting bracket includes a low-profile, captive 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) mounting screw with a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex in its one mounting hole that protrudes 0.22" (5.0 mm) below the bracket. The captive mounting screw allows the bracket to easily match the height of other components in a 60 mm cage system without having to use optical posts of varying heights.
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- 30 mm Cage System Compatible
- Snap-On Functionality for Easy Installation or Removal
- Firmly Lock onto Ø6.0 mm ER Rods with Flexure Slot Locking Design
- Off-Axis Mounting Adjustment Range
- CPMA4(/M): ±0.20" (±5.1 mm)
- CPMA3: ±0.28" (±7.0 mm)
These cage mounting brackets provide users with a snap-on solution for adding support posts to assembled 30 mm Cage Systems. The flexure-based design can be quickly snapped onto an open section of two Ø6.0 mm Cage Rods (not included), allowing for easy installation or removal without requiring the disassembly of a cage system. Slide the brackets into the appropriate position and lock into place using the included 2.0 mm hex key. The slotted post-mounting feature of the brackets allows the cage rods to be installed off the axis of the post (see above for adjustment ranges).
Two options are available for post mounting. The CPMA4(/M) offers a captive 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) nut in a slot for mounting to Ø1/2" posts in Ø1/2" post holders. Alternatively, the CPMA3 features a slotted #8 (M4) counterbore that allows for mounting of the adapter using an 8-32 or M4 capscrew (one of each included). This is useful for supporting 30 mm cage systems using fixed posts, such as our Ø1" (25.0 mm) posts with 8-32 (M4) taps, as the cage system can be rotated and then fixed to the post at any arbitrary angle.
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- 60 mm Cage System Compatible
- Snap-On Functionality for Easy Installation or Removal
- Firmly Lock onto Ø6.0 mm ER Rods with Flexure Slot Locking Design
- Off-Axis Mounting Adjustment Range
- LCPMA3: ±0.88" (±22.3 mm)
- LCPMA4(/M): ±0.75" (±19.1 mm)
- Brackets Offer Clearance for SM2 Lens Tubes
These cage mounting brackets provide users with a snap-on solution for adding support posts to assembled 60 mm Cage Systems. The flexure-based design can be quickly snapped onto an open section of two Ø6.0 mm Cage Rods (not included), allowing for easy installation or removal without requiring the disassembly of a cage system. Slide the brackets into the appropriate position and lock into place using a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex key. The slotted post-mounting feature of the brackets allows the cage rods to be installed off the axis of the post (see above for adjustment ranges).
Two options are available for post mounting. The LCPMA3 features a slotted #8 (M4) counterbore that allows for mounting of the adapter using an 8-32 (M4) capscrew (included). This is useful for supporting 60 mm cage systems using fixed posts, such as our Ø1" (25.0 mm) posts with 8-32 (M4) taps, as the cage system can be rotated and then fixed to the post at any arbitrary angle. Alternatively, the LCPMA4(/M) offers a captive 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) nut in a slot for mounting to Ø1/2" posts in Ø1/2" post holders.
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Click to Enlarge 60 mm Cage System Mounted on a Ø1" Post Using a CH1060 Clamp
- Quick-Connect Cage Clamps for 30 mm and 60 mm Cage Systems
- Easy Drop-In and Drop-Out of Cage Systems
- Single Cage Rod Locking Screw Allows for One-Handed Operation
- Compatible with Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Posts
The CH1030(/M) and CH1060(/M) Cage System Clamps for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Posts are designed to support 30 mm and 60 mm cage systems, respectively. Two parallel cage rods can be placed in the clamp and locked in place with a single screw. In this way, complete cage system sections can be supported by a single post.
The clamp itself can be secured to a Ø1" (Ø25 mm) post by tightening the C10QR(/M) quick-release handle (included), as shown in the image to the right. Replacement quick-release handles can be purchased separately below. For space constrained applications, the handle can be removed and replaced with a 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw at least 1/2" (12 mm) long.
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Click to Enlarge 30 mm Cage System Mounted on a Ø1.5" Post Using a CH1530 Clamp
- Securely Mount 30 mm or 60 mm Cage Systems to our Ø1.5" Posts
- Quick-Connect Mechanism for Fast Drop-In/Drop-Out of Cage Assemblies using Ø6 mm Cage Rods
- Cage Clamping Mechanism Activated by 3/16" (5 mm) Hex Cap Screw
- Includes Quick-Release Handle for Easy Mounting to Ø1.5" Posts
The CH1530(/M) and CH1560(/M) Cage Clamps allow 30 mm or 60 mm cage systems, respectively, to be mounted horizontally to our Ø1.5" Posts. The quick-connect mechanism allows for drop-in/drop-out mounting of a cage segment; to secure the cage segment, tighten the hex cap screw on the cage clamping mechanism using a 9/64" (3 mm) hex key or balldriver. Each cage clamp includes a C15QR(/M) Quick-Release Handle for mounting to a Ø1.5" post; additional quick-release handles can be purchased separately below. For low-profile applications, the handle can be removed and replaced with a 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw at least 1/2" (12 mm) long.
The application to the right shows the CH1530 supporting a cage system composed of 4 ER6 cage rods, an SM1ZA Z-Axis Translation Mount, and a CP33T cage plate. This system can be used as a telescope to expand or contract the beam diameter using lenses of appropriate focal length placed in the Z-axis mount and cage plate.
Zoom- Mount 30 mm Cage Systems to Our Ø1.5" Posts
- Can Be Oriented to Mount Cage Systems Vertically or Horizontally
- Quick-Connect Mechanism for Fast Drop-In/Drop-Out of Cage Assemblies
- 15 lb (6.8 kg) Load Capacity
The CV1530(/M) Cage Clamp allows a 30 mm cage system to be mounted vertically to our Ø1.5" Posts. The quick-connect mechanism allows for drop-in/drop-out mounting of a cage segment; to secure the cage segment, tighten the cap screw on the cage clamping mechanism using a 9/64" (3 mm) hex key or balldriver. Each cage clamp includes a C15QR(/M) Quick-Release Handle for mounting to a Ø1.5" post; additional quick-release handles can be purchased separately below. For low-profile applications, the handle can be removed and replaced with a 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw at least 1/2" (12 mm) long.
The vertical cage clamp can be converted to a horizontal cage clamp. To do so, unscrew the four cap screws on either side of the cage clamps using a 9/64" (3 mm) balldriver or hex key, turn the front plate 90°, and replace the cap screws.
Custom CV1530(/M) Clamp Mounts can be ordered for 16 and 60 mm cage system compatibility. Please contact Tech Support for more information.
Cage Mounting Adapters / Clamps