Manual Filter Wheels
![](https://punchout.webdev02.thorlabs.com/Images/GuideImages/1443_MFilterWheel_4.jpg)
- Convenient Lab Table Organizers for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) or Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) Optics
- Modular Design Allows for Multiple Configurations
- Precise Mechanical Indexing
FW1A
(6 Filter Capacity)
FW2A
(12 Filter Capacity) Filters Not Included
FW1AB
FW2B
(24 Filter Capacity)
1.37"
(35 mm)
2.37"
(60 mm)
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Features
- Filter Wheels
- FW1A Filter Station: Ø1" or Ø25 mm Filters, 6 Filter Capacity, One Wheel
- FW2A Filter Station: Ø1" or Ø25 mm Filters, 12 Filter Capacity, Two Wheels
- FW2B Filter Station: Ø1/2" or Ø12.5 mm Filters, 24 Filter Capacity, Two Wheels
- Retaining Rings Included for Mounting Optics
- Internal SM05 or SM1 Threads for Mounted Optics and Lens Tubes
- Maximum Filter Thickness: 4 mm
- Detent Mechanism for Accurate Filter Positioning
The FW series of filter wheel stations provide compact, convenient filter organizers that are available with either a single- or dual-wheel configuration. A filter wheel station consists of one or two (model dependent) filter wheels, a pedestal, and a base. These mechanical indexing stations are designed to provide precise alignment and high repeatability.
Each filter wheel can rotate independently and is designed to accommodate either six Ø1" (Ø25 mm) or twelve Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) filters. Filters are held in place using the provided retaining rings, which maintain either a Ø0.43" (for Ø1/2" filters) or Ø0.90" (for Ø1" filters) clear aperture. Each filter port also uses either our SM05 (0.535"-40) or SM1 (1.035"-40) thread standard, which makes these filter wheels compatible with other SM-threaded components, such as lens tubes and mounted optics. The FW2A two-wheel filter station can hold six Ø1" (Ø25 mm) filters in each wheel, allowing for up to 36 filter combinations, while the FW2B two-wheel filter station can hold twelve Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) filters in each wheel, allowing for up to 144 filter combinations.
![FW1A SmartPack Packaging](https://punchout.webdev02.thorlabs.com/images/TabImages/filter_wheel_mounting_A1-250.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
The base can be removed from these filter wheels, as shown above for the FW2A, revealing a set of three 8-32 taps to allow for mounting to posts or other bases.
To mount a filter up to 4 mm thick in the filter wheel, remove the SM-threaded retaining ring from a mounting hole, place the filter in the threaded hole so that it rests against the back lip of the hole, and then use the retaining ring to lock the filter into place. For filters thicker than 4 mm, such as our bandpass and laser line, edgepass, or fluorescence imaging filters, remove the retaining ring and thread the appropriate Ø1/2" or Ø1" lens tube into a filter wheel mounting hole. Then mount the filter in the lens tube. Alternatively, Thorlabs' premounted metallic (Ø1"), neutral density (ND) (Ø1/2" and Ø1"), colored glass (Ø1"), or dichroic (Ø1") filters can be threaded directly into each filter wheel mounting hole after the retaining rings have been removed.
The pedestal is universal in that it can be used to mount a filter wheel designed for Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) or Ø1" (Ø25 mm) optics, and each pedestal can be used to mount up to two filter wheels. The filter wheels are secured to the pedestal using a central screw, which allows for easy removal and installation of a different filter wheel when entire sets of filters are replaced in an optical setup. Common filter configurations include progressive ND or chromatic filters, allowing for quick adjustment of optical intensity attenuation or wavelength range by simply indexing the wheel. In addition, the pedestal can be removed from the base (as seen in the image to the right) to allow for mounting to posts or other bases.
The base allows the filter station to be directly secured to an optical table or optical breadboard. Alternatively, if desired, the base can be removed and the pedestal can be mounted on a Ø1/2" TR series post.
These filter wheels can be purchased preloaded with sets of ND filters.
![FW1A SmartPack Packaging](https://punchout.webdev02.thorlabs.com/images/TabImages/SmartPack_Filter_Wheel_Station_A1-300.gif)
Click to Enlarge
FW1A Packaging
Item # | % Weight Reduction | CO2-Equivalent Reductiona |
---|---|---|
FW1A | 34.87% | 36.06 kg |
FW2A | 34.87% | 16.33 kg |
FW2B | 34.87% | 2.44 kg |
Smart Pack
- Reduce Weight of Packaging Materials
- Increase Usage of Recyclable Packing Materials
- Improve Packing Integrity
- Decrease Shipping Costs
Thorlabs' Smart Pack Initiative is aimed at waste minimization while still maintaining adequate protection for our products. By eliminating any unnecessary packaging, implementing packaging design changes, and utilizing eco-friendly packaging materials for our customers when possible, this initiative seeks to improve the environmental impact of our product packaging. Products listed above are now shipped in re-engineered packaging that minimizes the weight and the use of non-recyclable materials.b As we move through our product line, we will indicate re-engineered packages with our Smart Pack logo.
Posted Comments: | |
Federico De Filippis
 (posted 2020-06-04 05:44:17.613) Is it possible to mount the Spectrogon filters of 25,4 mm diameter on FW1A? YLohia
 (posted 2020-06-04 10:52:30.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. 1" diameter filters (25.4 mm) can indeed be mounted into the FW1A. Please note that the maximum allowable filter thickness is 4 mm. zachary chen
 (posted 2019-04-01 13:55:27.04) Can filter wheel FW2A hold diameter 25mm optics? Should the optics be mounted or unmounted? YLohia
 (posted 2019-04-01 11:13:10.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Yes, the FW2A can hold 25mm optics. They can be either mounted (SM1-threaded or un-threaded) or unmounted, as long as the outer diameter of the final piece is correct. kieran.s.obrien
 (posted 2019-02-27 11:46:04.5) Is it possible to just buy the stand. We have a number of filter wheels (FW1AB) in our teaching lab, but some of the stands have gone missing. Thanks. llamb
 (posted 2019-02-28 08:36:02.0) Yes, we can offer the stand as a special/custom product. For reference, please contact your local Tech Support team for non-catalog product requests. I have reached out to you in this case to discuss quoting further. yoonys
 (posted 2017-04-11 11:40:31.52) I'm using FW2A but it's not as smooth as I'd like. If I loosen the center knob, it helps but the center knob rotates as I rotate the wheel. Would there be any suggestion? Would applying grease help? tfrisch
 (posted 2017-04-27 03:03:38.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I do not recommend loosening any of the screws, but I will reach out to you about the needs of your application. john.wang
 (posted 2013-10-15 14:48:46.36) Does Thorlabs has filter wheel can mount 7 pieces 1 inch diameter filter? cdaly
 (posted 2013-10-17 14:08:00.0) Response from Chris at Thorlabs: For 1" optics, each filter wheel can hold only size one inch optics. If more are needed, we do sell extra wheel which can swapped into or out of the base. The part number is FW1AB. If you do not want to have to swap out the wheel. You can also use the FW2A which has two 6-optic wheels. By leaving one slot empty on each, you could essentially have 10 mounted at once. |
![](https://punchout.webdev02.thorlabs.com/images/arrow_Vert.gif)
- FW1A: One Wheel, 6 Filter Capacity
- FW2A: Two Wheels, 12 Filter Capacity
- Internally SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Holes for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Filters up to 4 mm (0.15") Thick
- Ø0.90" (23 mm) Clear Aperture
- Retaining Rings, Base, and Pedestal Included
- Engraved Filter Positions
- Detent Mechanism for Repeatable Positioning
The FW1A and FW2A filter wheels are designed to hold six or twelve Ø1" (Ø25 mm) filters, respectively, up to 4 mm (0.15") thick. Each mounting hole is SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) and is engraved with the filter position. Extra six-position filter wheels are available below for switching out complete sets of filters.
To mount a filter up to 4 mm thick in the filter wheel, remove the included SM-threaded retaining ring from a mounting hole, place the filter in the threaded hole so that it rests against the back lip of the hole, and then use the retaining ring to lock the filter into place. For filters thicker than 4 mm, such as our bandpass and laser line, edgepass, or fluorescence imaging filters, remove the retaining ring and thread the appropriate Ø1" lens tube into a filter wheel mounting hole. Then mount the filter in the lens tube. For compatibility with all filter thicknesses we recommend the SM1L05 lens tube which has a thread depth of 0.5" (12.7 mm). Alternatively, Thorlabs' premounted Ø1" metallic, neutral density (ND), colored glass, or dichroic filters contain external SM1 threads and can be threaded directly into each filter wheel mounting hole after the retaining rings have been removed.
![](https://punchout.webdev02.thorlabs.com/images/arrow_Vert.gif)
- Extra 6-Station Filter Wheel (Base and Pedestal Not Included)
- Internally SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Holes for Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Filters up to 4 mm (0.15") Thick
- Ø0.90" (23 mm) Clear Aperture
- Retaining Rings Included
- Engraved Filter Positions
Extra filter wheels (without the base and pedestal) are available to allow complete sets of filters to be swapped in and out of an optical setup without handling the filters. This filter wheel can be mounted on the pedestal of any of the following filter wheel stations: FW1A, FW2A, or FW2B.
![](https://punchout.webdev02.thorlabs.com/images/arrow_Vert.gif)
- Two Wheels, 24 Filter Capacity
- Internally SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Holes for Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) filters up to 4 mm (0.15") Thick
- Ø0.43" (11 mm) Clear Aperture
- Retaining Rings, Base, and Pedestal Included
- Engraved Filter Positions
- Detent Mechanism for Repeatable Positioning
The FW2B filter wheel is designed to hold twelve Ø1/2" (Ø12.5 mm) filters up to 4 mm (0.15") thick. Each mounting hole is SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) and is engraved with the filter position.
To mount a filter up to 4 mm thick in the filter wheel, remove the included SM-threaded retaining ring from a mounting hole, place the filter in the threaded hole so that it rests against the back lip of the hole, and then use the retaining ring to lock the filter into place. For filters thicker than 4 mm, such as our bandpass and laser line, edgepass, or fluorescence imaging filters, remove the retaining ring and thread the appropriate Ø1/2" lens tube into a filter wheel mounting hole. Then mount the filter in the lens tube. For compatibility with all filter thicknesses we recommend the SM05L05 lens tube which has a thread depth of 0.5" (12.7 mm). Alternatively, Thorlabs' premounted Ø1/2" absorptive ND filters contain external SM05 threads and can be threaded directly into each filter wheel mounting hole after the retaining rings have been removed.