Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optomechanical Mounts / Optical Mirror Mounts / Kinematic Mounts for Round Optics / Kinematic Cage Mounts / Kinematic Mounts for Cage SystemsKinematic Mounts for Cage Systems
- Cage System Compatible
- Precision Angular Adjustment of Optics
- Mounts for Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" Optics
Anti-Drift
Locking Collet
KC2
Locking Mount for Ø2" Optics
KC05-T
SM05-Threaded Mount for Ø1/2" Optics
KC1-T
SM1-Threaded Mount for Ø1" Optics
Application Idea
KC45D Turret Mount Shown in Cage System
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Cage Assembly Systems provide a convenient way to construct large optomechanical systems with an established line of precision-machined building blocks designed for high flexibility and accurate alignment. These mounts combine the features of our traditional Kinematic and Gimbal Mounts with the flexibility of our cage assembly systems. Our gimbal and kinematic cage mounts are fabricated from black anodized aluminum, and have been designed to allow for the precise angular positioning of Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" optics within 16 mm, 30 mm, or 60 mm cage systems.
| Item # | Cage System Size | Optic Diameter | Optic Thickness* | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC05-T (KC05-T/M) | 16 mm | 0.5" (12.7 mm) | 0.15" (3.8 mm) Max | Kinematic Mount |
| KC1 (KC1/M) | 30 mm | 1" (25 mm) | 0.12" (3 mm) Min | Kinematic Mount |
| KC1-T (KC1-T/M) | 30 mm | 1" (25 mm) | 0.23" (5.8 mm) Max | Kinematic Mount |
| KC1-S (KC1-S/M) | 30 mm | 1" (25 mm) | 0.23" (5.8 mm) Max | Kinematic Mount |
| KC45D | 30 mm | 1" (25 mm) | 0.24" (6 mm) Max | Gimbal Mount |
| KC2 (KC2/M) | 60 mm | 2" (50 mm) | 0.12" (3 mm) Min | Kinematic Mount |
| KC2-T (KC2-T/M) | 60 mm | 2" (50 mm) | 0.2" (5 mm) Max | Kinematic Mount |
*The -T mounts and the KC45D use a retaining ring to secure the optic; as a result, the thickness of the optic that can be mounted is limited by the thickness of the threaded bore. For some applications it may be appropriate to use a lens tube in order to increase the maximum allowed thickness. The mounts for which a min optic thickness is listed use a setscrew to retain the optic.
Please note that Thorlabs also offers Right Angle Kinematic Cage Mounts to situate the optic at a mean horizontal angle of 45° within a cage assembly system.
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 accomodate 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 (2.8") |
| 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 | ||
| 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: | |
oliver.hohn
(posted 2013-11-04 08:52:20.807) How is the surface finish of this product? As I understand, it is made of Aluminium. So I'm wondering, whether it blackened by anodizing or if it is painted?
Best regards,
Oliver Hohn pbui
(posted 2013-11-06 09:59:03.0) Response from Phong at Thorlabs: The KC1/M is made of black anodized aluminum. |
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- Mounts Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) Optics
- Provides ±2.5° Kinematic Tip and Tilt Adjustment
- SM05 (0.535"-40) Threaded Mounting Bore for Thin Optics
- 16 mm Cage Compatible
- Post Mountable: Two #8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
The KC05-T Kinematic Mount is designed for our 16 mm cage systems. Four SR series cage rods can be passed through the mount and locked into place using setscrews. Each kinematic mount features three 3/16"-100 fine adjustment screws, offering an adjustment per revolution of 9 mrad/rev. The adjusters have a 5/64" hex socket for adjustment, and one 5/64" hex key is included with each mount. The KC05-T(/M) is SM05-threaded, which allows it to hold thin optics and can hold optics up to 0.15" (3.8 mm) thick. The KC05-T Kinematic Mount includes two SM05RR Retaining Rings to secure optics within the mount.
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KC1 Back View
- ±5º Tip / Tilt, ±3 mm Linear Translation Along the Optical Axis
- Accepts Ø1" (25.4 mm) Optics
- Minimum Optic Thickness: 0.12" (3 mm)
- Compatible with 30 mm Cage System
- 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole for Post Mounting
The KC1 Kinematic Mount is designed with a smooth, double-bored mounting hole that can accommodate a Ø1" optic that is at least 0.12" (3 mm) thick; the optic is held in place with a top-located, nylon-tipped locking screw. This kinematic mount comes with three 1/4"-80 adjusters that offer an adjustment per revolution of 7 mrad/rev. In addition, each adjuster has independently locking setscrews.
Both the front and rear plates have been machined with four clearance holes designed for direct compatibility with our 30 mm cage system standard. The cage rod holes in the front plate are sufficiently oversized to allow ±4º tip and tilt adjustment without cage rod interference. Once the desired position is achieved, locking setscrews on the rear plate can be used to secure the rods in place. In addition to 30 mm cage compatibility, the KC1 Kinematic Mount is post mountable via an 8-32 (M4) tapped hole.
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KC1-T Back View
- ±5º Tip / Tilt, ±3 mm Linear Translation Along the Optical Axis
- Accepts Ø1" (25.4 mm) Optics
- Maximum Optic Thickness: 0.23" (5.8 mm)
- Compatible with 30 mm Cage System
- 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole for Post Mounting
The KC1-T Kinematic Mount is designed with an SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) mounting hole that can directly hold optics up to 5.8 mm (0.23") thick using the two included SM1RR Retaining Rings. Thicker optics can be accommodated by housing the optic in one of our SM1-Series Lens Tubes and then threading the lens tube into the front plate of the mount. Alternatively, since the back plate of the KC1-T Kinematic Mount features an oversized Ø1.32" bore, SM1 lens tubes can also be attached to the front plate from the rear of the mount without sacrificing angular adjustment. This threaded, kinematic mount comes with three adjusters with independently locking setscrews.
Both the front and rear plates have been machined with four clearance holes designed for direct compatibility with our 30 mm cage system standard. The cage rod holes in the front plate are sufficiently oversized to allow ±4º tip and tilt adjustment without cage rod interference. Once the desired position is achieved, locking setscrews on the rear plate can be used to secure the rods in place. In addition to 30 mm cage compatibility, the KC1-T Kinematic Mount is post mountable via an 8-32 (M4) tapped hole.
Zoom| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Angular Drivers | 1/4"-80 TPI Adjustersa |
| XY Travel | ±1.0 mm (±0.04") per Axis with Lockable Slip Plate |
| Angular Resolution | 0.4°/rev |
| Angular Displacement | ±4° |
| Z Travel | ±3.0 mm (±0.12") |
| Inner Slip Plate XY Travel |
±0.04" (1 mm) per Axis |
| Optic Thickness (Max) | 0.23" (5.8 mm) |
| Optic Mounting | Internal SM1 (1.035"-40) Thread |
| Post Mounting | 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole |
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KC1-S Back View
- Slip Plate Provides ±1 mm of Coarse X and Y Adjustment
- ±4º Tip / Tilt, ±3 mm Linear Translation Along the Optical Axis
- Accepts Ø1" Optics
- Maximum Optic Thickness: 0.23" (5.8 mm)
- Compatible with Our 30 mm Cage Systems
- 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole for Post Mounting
The KC1-S Kinematic Mount is designed with a SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded mounting hole with a front slip plate that enables direct mounting of optics up to 5.8 mm (0.23") thick using the included SM1RR Retaining Rings. Thicker optics can be accommodated by housing the optic in one of our SM1-Series Lens Tubes and then threading the lens tube into the front plate of the mount. Alternatively, since the back plate of the KC1-S Kinematic Mount features an oversized Ø1.32" bore, SM1 lens tubes can also be attached to the front plate from the rear of the mount without sacrificing angular adjustment. This threaded, kinematic mount comes with three adjusters with independently locking setscrews.
Both the front and rear plates have been machined with four clearance holes designed for direct compatibility with our 30 mm cage system standard. The cage rod holes in the front plate are sufficiently oversized to allow ±4° tip and tilt adjustment without cage rod interference. Once the desired position is achieved, locking setscrews on the rear plate can be used to secure the rods in place. In addition to 30 mm cage compatibility, the KC1-S Kinematic Mount is post mountable via an 8-32 (M4) tapped hole.
The KC1-S Kinematic Mount slip plate feature incorporated into this mount provides ±1 mm of coarse travel in X and Y with respect to the front plate, which enables additional freedom when setting an optic's position within a cage system. Three locking screws allow the user to lock the slip plate down once the desired location has been reached. The user should note, however, that loosening the locking screws may result in excessive coarse movement (slop) in the slip plate. For best performance, tighten the locking screws, and then release them only enough to allow for smooth operation of the slip plate.
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The photos above show the KC45D gimbal mirror mount in different 30 mm cage system configurations.
- True Gimbal Design
- Maximum Optic Thickness: 0.24" (6 mm)
- Mounts Ø1" Optics
- Compatible with Thorlabs' 30 mm Cage System
- Full 360º Rotation of Optic Holder
- ±30º Rotation on the Optic Holder Saddle
The KC45D Gimbal Mirror Mount is designed to allow a Ø1" optic to be rotated about a point in the center of a 30 mm cage assembly with true gimbal motion. The optic holder is free to rotate through 360º. Once its coarse angular orientation is set, the fine adjustment mechanism (i.e., two 100 TPI adjusters offering an adjustment per revolution of 13 mrad/rev) can be used for precise alignment, using the HKTS-5/64 hex key thumbscrew or any other 5/64" hex key or balldriver. The second angular degree of freedom is achieved by rotation of an intermediate saddle. This saddle connects the optic holder to the cage assembly and is free to rotate ±30º.The optic is secured against the back lip of the SM1 (1.035"-40) center tapped region using the included SM1RR Retaining Ring.
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KC2 Back View
- ±3º Angular Rotation
- Compatible with 60 mm Cage System
- Minimum Optic Thickness for the KC2 (KC2/M): 0.08" (2 mm)
- Maximum Optic Thickness for the KC2-T (KC2-T/M): 0.2" (5 mm)
- Post Mountable via Two #8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes
The KC2 Kinematic Mount is designed with a smooth, double-bored mounting hole for a Ø2" optic and is complete with a nylon-tipped locking screw for securing the optic. The KC2-T Kinematic Mount has an SM2 (2.035"-40) center tap for mounting optics, includes two SM2RR Retaining Rings and is compatible with our SM2-Series Lens Tubes Systems.
The KC2 and KC2-T Kinematic Mounts offer three 1/4-80 adjusters with an adjustment per revolution of 4 mrad/rev. Each adjuster is independently locking, and has a collet that can be tightened without causing the postion of the adjuster to drift. The rugged mechanical design provides excellent stability when mounted in a cage system or on a post. Both the front and rear plates have been machined with four clearance holes designed for direct compatibility with our 60 mm cage system standards. The rear plate provides locking setscrews to clamp to cage rods for secure positioning. The cage rod holes in the front plate are sufficiently oversized to allow ±3º tip and tilt without interference with the rods.
 Kinematic Cage Mounts |